Presidency warns Biafra agitators

“Right to protest is limited by the rights of others to safety and peaceful existence”

The Nigerian presidency has warned those clamouring for a breakaway Biafra Republic to have a rethink, saying the federal government would not fold its hands and allow anyone plunge the country into crisis.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who gave the warning on Saturday, in Jos, said government would not watch while some individuals and groups create unnecessary tension in the country in the guise of seeking to break away from Nigeria.

“We need to build the civic capacity to defeat the false and dangerous premises and assumption of violence extremism. Never again should we allow mindless violence inspired by false and evil precepts to threaten our national security,” Mr. Osinbajo said.

“Let me again call on persons or group in the country who have some grievance or disaffection to submit to peaceful and democratic means of expressing themselves.”

The vice president spoke at the graduation ceremony of the Executive Course 37 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, which graduated 63 participants Saturday.

In his speech, Mr. Osinbajo reminded those embarking on mass protest for Biafra that their “right to protest is limited by the rights of others to safety and peaceful existence”.

“We can offer our country opinion without violating the law of the land or threatening law and order.”

He urged the protesters to join hands with the Buhari-led administration to develop Nigeria, saying the administration would soon end the Boko Haram insurgency in the country.

“Let me reiterate that Boko Haram terrorism as well as their ideology will soon be defeated and consigned to history,” Mr. Osinbajo said.

He admitted there were educational setbacks in the country, but said the APC-led administration would tackle the challenges in the sector as a means of ensuring better future for Nigeria’s younger generation.

“While accepting that our educational system is in a dangerously parlous state, the solutions are obvious even if not easy,” the Vice-President said.

“We have to focus on early child education, retrain teachers, ensure that our curricular will prepare our children for the 21st century.”

He charged the NIPSS new graduates to use the experiences garnered during the 10-month course to develop Nigeria in their fields of endeavour.

Earlier in an address, the Director General of NIPSS, Ahmed Tijani, said the course’s 37 participants made valuable contributions for national development, particularly in the educational sector.