By Ndahi Marama
MAIDUGURI— NATIONAL Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, has enjoined Nigerians to eschew violence and acts that lead to insecurity and are canker worms destroying people’s normal lives as well as reversing development processes.

Director-General of NEMA, Alh. Muhammad Sidi, made the appeal while distributing relief materials to victims of recent crisis in Damaturu, Yobe State. He enjoined all Nigerians to embrace peace for the sake of national development and avoid acts that would negate sacredness of lives as commanded by God.

Represented by the agency’s Asst. Zonal Coordinator, North-East Zonal Office, Maiduguri, Ibrahim Farinloye, Alh. Sidi stated that the trauma and pains that the people of the areas were passing through were not in the best interest of the nation.

He called on all Nigerians to work together in restoring the peace and harmony that is eluding the society.

He said: “If you do not join hands with the security agencies towards community policing, we would continue to witness pains and trauma that we are passing through now.”

He said NEMA was working with 5,000 families in Ponponmari district, 3,000 families and 2,000 families in other parts of the city after a comprehensive multi-stakeholders’ assessment of the critical scenes of the crisis.

… as Gov Ahmed advocates attitudinal change

As Nigerians join others across the world to usher in the New Year, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara State has urged Nigerians to intensify their prayers and cultivate attitudinal change to return the country to its glorious era.

He also enjoined all to keep faith in God and remain resolute to those virtues that bind the country together despite its cultural, ethnic, religious and political diversities.

According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Abdulwahab Oba, the governor appealed to members of the Boko Haram sect to lay down arms and resume dialogue with the Federal Government in order to put an end to the incessant bombings and lost of innocent lives.

While commiserating with families of those that lost their lives from the Christmas day bombings at Madalla, Niger State, the governor stressed the need for Nigerians to shun violence and live together peacefully.

Ahmed said: “As Nige-rians we should continue to live together peacefully irrespective of our religious differences as it is only in an atmosphere of peace that the country can attain greatness and become the envy of other nations.”