BY Ebunoluwa Olafusi
Theophilus Danjuma, a former defence minister, says no sane foreigner will come to Nigeria with the way people are killing each other.
Danjuma spoke on Friday at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Nwonyo International Fishing and Cultural Festival at Ibi, in Taraba state.
He noted that if the people of the state wanted the festival to be truly international, then there must be peace.
He appealed to Nigerians to stop killing each other and allow the country to progress.
“There must be peace in Taraba and Nigeria for any meaningful development to take place,” Danjuma said.
“At the moment, no sane foreigner will choose to come to Nigeria when we are butchering each other in all the places.
“Stop the kidnapping, stop the needless crises, stop the killings that have made Nigeria a laughing stock of the rest of the world.”
Danjuma said the festival was not just an event to showcase the Jukun cultural values, but also a meeting point for the diverse communities.
He commended the Taraba government, the organisers and supporters for reviving the festival.
Also speaking, Umaru Fintiri, governor of Adamawa, described the festival as a unifying factor among the neighbouring states, and pledged continued support to ensure its sustenance.
Fintri commended Agbu Kefas, Taraba governor, for paying attention to cultural values, saying culture is the root of peace and must be promoted.
In his address, Kefas noted that the festival is one of the various ways his administration is promoting justice and peace among the different groups in the state.
He thanked Danjuma, Fintri and Sam Odeh, deputy governor of Benue, and other dignitaries, for gracing the occasion.
The festival, which commenced on Friday, will end on Saturday with a fishing competition.
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