Shema, Lamido hail planned amnesty for Boko Haram

Governor Ibrahim Shema of Katsina State, his Jigawa State counterpart, Governor Sule Lamido, yesterday hailed the planned amnesty for members of the Islamist sect,Boko Haram.

Governor Shema told State House correspondents in Abuja that President Goodluck Jonathan had responded positively to the request of some leaders in the country for amnesty for the sect.

He, therefore, advised members of the group to lay down their arms and embrace peace.

He said: 'My advice is that there is no nation that can progress without peace and stability. We need peace and all hands must be on deck. Those who are aggrieved for one reason or the other should come forward and be able to resolve this crisis, such that our nation and our people can progress and develop rapidly.

'I believe if a security committee is set up in good faith, it is for the good of Nigeria and for the resolution to the crisis that has bedevilled most part of northern Nigeria on the issue of insecurity.'

'So if a committee on amnesty is set up, it is done because Nigerians and leaders from the northern part of the country are yearning for a quick resolution to the matter. And the President is responding positively to this request so that our nation can go on in peace, progress and development.

Also speaking,Governor Lamido said that wisdom has prevailed.

'Wisdom has prevailed. It's all about what do we do to secure our country. Especially when Nigeria becomes very secure, we will be able to confront the problems of national development.

'This country needs our energy, it needs our skills and a number of things are begging for our attention. Therefore, whatever it is that will be able to get Nigeria united, to make it very secure, we should do it.

'Whatever might have been the other misconceptions, we are now doing the right thing,' he said.