By Ankeli Emmanuel (In Sokoto State)
Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said, until all the States in Nigeria are safe, no where and nobody is indeed safe.
Tambuwal said this when he received the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyema in Sokoto state. He admitted that the Federal Government has shown non-partisan support to the States in checkmating insecurity.
"Insecurity in one State affects all, as whatever affects one state in Nigeria affects all and even neighboring countries".
The Sokoto state governor while commending President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government over the significant improvement in security lately, added that the apex government has also showed nationalistic concern through its speedy effort in rescuing and bringing back Nigerians, especially students trapped in Ukraine as a result of Russian invasion.
“I commend the Federal Government for the ongoing efforts to evacuate trapped Nigerians from Ukraine,” the Governor said while singling out the minister for his uncommon determination and patriotism in ensuring the triumph of Nigeria’s diplomacy.
“He is among the few foreign ministers we have had that speak every important language in the world. He is doing well and representing our country very well in every fora internationally,” the Governor explained.
A statement by Tambuwal's spokesperson, Muhammad Bello quoted the governor as praying to God to continue to strengthen President Muhammadu Buhari to confront all security challenges facing the country.
On the role of the State in sustaining national cohesion, Tambuwal said Sokoto is one State where everyone is treated equally, without discrimination in terms of provision of subsidized education, housing and empowerment to Nigerians of all shades and convictions living in the State.
“We must work towards ensuring that all of us are one. We must not discriminate against one another. We must work as one people who have the country at heart,”
The Minister, Onyema and his team were in Sokoto to commiserate with the government and people of the state over the tragedies witnessed and suffered over time.
“Mr President is proud of you and the state. Many people have spoken sincerely and highly of his and state hospitality,” the Minister noted, saying that he hopes other states will emulate what you and Sokoto are doing.”
On the efforts to move Nigerians trapped in Ukraine out of the embattled country, Onyema said all the students of Sokoto state caught in the tragedy have been evacuated, just as the government continues to work tirelessly to ensure the evacuation of all Nigerians there. NNL.
