By Charles Kumolu & Esther Onyegbula

NOBEL Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, called on Nigerians to support the military in the fight against terrorism, noting that every citizen must be involved in the battle in respective of tribe and religion.

The duo spoke in Lagos at an event entitled: ‘National Rally Against Terror,’ convened by a human rights group, Nigerians Unite Against Terror, NUAT.

According to Okonjo-Iweala: ‘’Terrorists cannot defeat us. We will defeat them. This kind of rally against terrorism is what we need in Nigeria.
Let’s bond and not be bombed. I want to salute our men and women who have put their lives in line to ensure that terrorists are defeated.

“I salute the spirit of the civilian joint task force. Let us stand up to support our troops because they need our support. This war should be fought with one voice because we don’t want a divided Nigeria. We have to unite in our fight against terrorism.’’

In a message read on behalf of Soyinka by the convener of NUAT, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin, Soyinka stressed the importance of unity in the war against terrorism.

He said: “I regret my absence at the rally for an urgent mission. However, I urge Nigerians to shun those things that tend to divide them.
“Despite recent successes by our army, we must understand that the battle is yet to be over. Every citizen must support the fight against terror, irrespective of religion, ethnicity or political leanings.’’