By Daniel Eteghe
LAGOS — Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, yesterday, said the arrest of Senator Ali Ndume in connection with the Boko Haram saga was a welcome development, noting that the country had started solving the problem.

He also urged President Goodluck Jonathan to ensure that anyone involved in the Boko Haram saga was brought to book, irrespective of his or her status in the society.

Meanwhile, Gov. Akpabio has described the late Publisher of The Guardian Newspapers, Dr. Alex Uruemu Ibru, as a media colossus.

Akpabio, who spoke with journalists at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, said the arrest of the spokeperson of the dreaded terrorist group and Senator Ndume was a pleasing news, “that for the first time we are now having the cloak, the veil of secrecy is being lifted and sponsors of criminality in Nigeria are being unveiled. As far as I am concerned, this is the beginning of the cure for the problem.

“This is the first time we are touching the real issue, because if you are able to get the sponsors to face justice, it means those who are being sponsored will no longer be available.”

Urging the President to ensure that those found to be behind the Boko Haram unrest were brought to book, the governor said any Nigerian who sponsored criminality must be brought to book.

Ibru was media colossus

The governor said he was heading to Ikoyi home of the Ibrus to commensurate with them on Alex’s death.

He noted that the formation of The Guardian by the late business mogul was a major step in terms of truthful journalism.

He lauded the late publisher for his contribution to nation building, with the establishment of the newspaper in 1983, adding that the contribution of the newspaper could not be underestimated.

His words: “You know he was a colossus in all respect, particularly within the media profession. You know the formation of The Guardian was a major step in terms of truthful journalism, in terms of a paper of distinction, the paper Nigerians can trust and the paper the international community can also use as a reference point because that is what it is.”

“It was the first major, fearless paper of distinction. Let us be honest, the paper focuses on serious minded issues, not on frivolities. So, its contribution to nation building cannot be underestimated, so it’s a very sad development, it’s quite an unfortunate situation and I think it touches on all parts of Nigeria.

“That is why I flew into Lagos to pay my last respect to the departed on behalf of millions of people of Akwa Ibom who also benefited from his industry and his contribution to nation building.”