By Yinka Latona
FORMER Defence Minister, Lt. Gen. Theophilus Danjuma(rtd), has denounced incessant killing of innocent persons in Jos and Maiduguri, maintaining that it is the responsibility of the government at all levels to maintain law and order in the country.

Danjuma, who was the special guest of honour at the third Bible Society of Nigeria Founders’ Day and annual lecture held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, Lagos, said “anybody who wants to usurp the authority of the government to maintain law and order in any part of the country does not mean well for Nigeria.”

He urged the Federal Government to muster the needed political will to deal decisively with the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and bring to justice all those behind Boko Haram.

Speaking earlier in his opening remarks, chairman of the occasion and former Minister of Information and Orientation, Professor Jerry Gana, commended Nigerians for turning out en masse for the just concluded voters’ registration exercise.

He stated that though the exercise was fraught with several hitches, it could still be adjudged as successful.
Gana therefore urged Nigerians to also in the same spirit turn out en masse to vote candidates of their choice who will harness the enormous financial resources to move the nation forward to the envy of other nations of the world.

Delivering a lecture titled; “From selection to Election: Nigeria must migrate form mediocrity to Excellence,” Rev. Monsignor Matthew Kukah of Catholic Archdiocese of Kaduna said free, fair and credible election should not be the ultimate goal of Nigerians, but good governance and the provision of good infrastructure for the masses.

According to him, people at the grassroots level in any part of the country deserve better treatment, pointing out that any development that does not guarantee the freedom of the people have a limited life span.

Said he: “We can have a free, fair and credible election in Nigeria and still have bad government ruling the nation because the present circumstance only gives the electorate the choice to vote in those whom the parties present to them and this only gives room for those who are not eligible enough to rule the nation.”

Kukah further argued that there is need for Nigerians to change their mind set when it comes to democratic process, explaining that it is time for Nigerians to look beyond the electoral process and focus closer on other processes that can make the election better.

He also used the occasion to challenge Christians to uphold Christly dignity and good moral in all their doings.
As part of activities marking the Founders’ Day celebration, the Bible Society of Nigeria honoured Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, Dr. John Onaiyekan, General Leader of the Cherubim & Seraphim Movement Church (Ayo ni o), Prophet Gabriel Fakeye and the Senior Pastor of Dunamis International Gospel Centre, Abuja, Pastor Paul Enenche, with award for Selfless Service to God and humanity.