Nigeria’s Federal Government on Friday directed that all government offices and schools in Abuja should be closed down for the three days the World Economic Forum on Africa scheduled to begin Wednesday 7 May will last.
Senator Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation who announced this in a statement however said offices performing essential services are not expected to be part of the closure.
He added that the order is designed to ease the flow of traffic within the city and enable participants carry out their assigned roles and participate actively at the World Economic Forum Africa.
The government said private organisations with large number of staff may also close down their operations if they also wish to do so.
In another development, the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on Friday allayed fears of insecurity in Abuja as the World Economic Forum on Africa begins on Wednesday, May 7.
Okonjo-Iweala, who spoke at the backdrop of Thursday’s Nyanya bomb explosion, said that the Federal Government would provide adequate security for participants.
She told newsmen in Abuja that President Goodluck Jonathan would make a statement on the forum and security issues shortly.
She said “with the World Economic Forum, of course, it’s not easy; the news we have so far is that people are asking questions but it’s seems encouraging.
An economist, Mr Eze Onyekpere, urged the Federal Government to ensure that the forum was held so as not to give in to terrorism.
Onyekpere told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that government “must reinforce security in the capital and around the country to enable the forum participants and other visitors to come without fear.
“I think the forum should go on; it will show a very wrong signal if we stop it because it means we are saying that Nigeria is no longer secure.
“If we cancel an international event that has already been planned, it will be a very dangerous signal,’’ he said.
Similarly, the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto, Most Rev. Mathew Kukah, said it was sad the blast occurred at a time that the nation was planning to host the world.
“We should take it in our stride just for the interest of those who lost their lives, and one thing to say is that we should move forward in their memory to help us to build a better society,” Kukah said.
Kukah added that those who loved Nigeria would always stand by it at moments of trials and would come for the forum, adding that Sept. 11 incident in U.S. did not stop any event.
“If this thing is happening in the U.S., London or anywhere in Europe, people will not cancel their flights; they will still travel.
“I call on our president to occupy the moral high ground and be more assertive.
“We need to know that somebody is in charge and in control because that is the signal that everybody requires,’’ Kukah said Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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Kukah this is nothing short of foolish talking comparing London and US with Nigeria. you remember the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013, 5 days after America caught the culprits. How many times have Amy, Police killed Shekau? Over 200 kids taken in a state where there was curfew. if they took bush parts so our security men could not follow their trail. If it were cars how come they beat all the check points? hw come 200 kids were taken and non of our security operatives noticed the exodus? Somebody is really in charge. Heightened security for a selected few to fool yourselves that the country is safe. Thank God we are not as foolish as you are. Alika.
ReplyDeleteIt is not their fault, I blame d confused Boko Haram that target only d oppressed. Our leaders are just too selfish!
DeleteGood! Shut down economy while we discuss how yo improve the economy.
ReplyDeleteShut it down. (LoL)
ReplyDeletethis is absolutely foolish of you Mr kuka
ReplyDeleteGod save us in Nigeria
ReplyDeleteSenseless talk. I pray boko harsm drop a bomb in aso rock for our leaders to take this thing serious. They have placed bomb detection vehicles at the entrance to aso rock but put defenseless soldiers to harass innocent people on our express roads. What a height of selfishness!
ReplyDeleteWe are confused! To look good in the eyes of the world,security will be heightened. The economy shut down implies one thing:our security agencies are not in anyway in control of the situation.... that is why the menace goes unabated. If they have to shut down the capital city because of terrorists to hold an economic forum,it is definitely more than we think. We need better decisions in time of this crisis..those advisers should brace up and do their job wisely in the interest of Nigerians.
ReplyDelete