As Nigerians celebrate the 55th anniversary political independence from Great Britain, the Centre for Crisis Communications (CCC) has congratulated citizens but lamented the widening insecurity situation in the country.

In a statement signed by Executive Secretary Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (Rtd) CCC said: “The Centre for Crisis Communication heartily felicitates with Nigerians on the auspicious occasion of the celebration of Nigeria’s 55th Independence Anniversary.

“The Centre believes that in spite of the country’s chequered history of conflicts, crisis situations and violence, we do have reasons to celebrate Nigeria’s modest accomplishments and determination to remain a peaceful, progressive and united indivisible nation.”

The statement noted that the country has come a long way from the nationalist struggle for Independence by our founding fathers that culminated in gaining independence in 1960, “through the bloody civil war between 1967 to 1970, the intermittent military interregnum, the struggle for return to civil democracy in the 1980s and 1990s, and the eventual return to democracy and party politics in 1998 up to the current quest for good governance and fight against corruption.

“In between these historical milestone events that defined our struggle for nationhood, the country has been assailed by recurrent conflicts, sectarian crisis, collapsed infrastructures, natural and man-made disasters with varying degrees of humanitarian consequences.

“Without any doubt, the most potent of the crisis assailing the country is the current Boko Haram insurgency in the north eastern parts which has led to the loss of thousands of innocent lives, displacement of over a million people from their homes and the destruction of property, homes and livelihood.”

The Centre then used the opportunity to once again commiserate with families that have lost their dear ones in the course of protracted Boko Haram terrorist insurgency particularly in the north east parts of the country.

It also expressed sympathy with those who have been dislocated from their homes and thrown into the refugee situation in their own country due to the Boko Haram insurgency.

“The situations in the Internally Displaced Persons camps across the country are certainly pitiable and the Centre has continued to raise concern over the plight of the hapless people in those camps. As indicated in the recent report of the Centre’s assessment visit to the IDP camps, there is urgent need for a more permanent arrangement to be put in place immediately towards the resettlement of the IDPs back in their communities.

While praising Federal Government’s commitment to end this insurgency, CCC saluted the untiring effort of the military and other security agencies involved in the prosecution of the counter insurgency operation.

It also advised that “collaboration and synergy must continue among all the security agencies and stakeholders to ensure that the insurgency is brought under control. We are optimistic that the country will emerge victorious over the forces of darkness that is orchestrating the bloodbath in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.”

It equally lamented incidences of kidnappings and armed banditry, now glaringly on the increase leading to the recent kidnap of Chief Olu Falae who was held captive for days until ransom was allegedly paid to secure his safe release.

“Similar unacceptable situations abound in other parts of the country and should not be condoned under any guise. Our security organs should continue to ensure that perpetrators of such heinous crimes are apprehended and speedily brought to justice to serve as deterrence to others.

The Centre urged the federal government to speedily come up with more concrete measures of addressing the post amnesty programme for the youth in the Niger Delta, saying it will go a long way to stabilise the region and ensure an enduring peace and security not only for the area but the entire nation.

On elections, the statement noted that governorship elections will soon hold in two states.

“The Centre for Crisis Communication acknowledges the peaceful and successful general election which the Independence National Electoral Commission (INEC) conducted earlier this year widely regarded as the most credible elections in Nigeria’s history that brought in the current leaders in all the tiers of government in the country.

“The Centre believes that but for the ingenuity and patriotism of INEC, and the civility of our people, the election would have ended up in crisis and violence across the country.

“The Centre urges INEC and other stakeholders to once again ensure that the upcoming governorship elections in Kogi and Bayelsa States are conducted fair and transparent manner devoid of any violence and crisis by contending parties or aspirants.”

•Photo shows CCC Executive Secretary Yusuf Anas.

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