Northern Leaders Responsible For Boko Haram --Obanikoro

The former Minister of State for Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, has said
northern leaders should be blamed for the emergence of the Boko Haram
in the country.

He said this at the inauguration of a civic centre built by a member
of the House of Representatives, Abiodun Akinlade, at the Federal
Polytechnic, Ilaro, Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State.

He said the northern leaders over the years failed to invest in the
future of the youth though qualitative education.

Obanikoro said, "We have Boko Haram today because the leaders of that
section of the country did not invest in their education.

"President Goodluck Jonathan is already addressing this by
constructing 123 almajiri schools in four years."

He said there was relative peace in the South-West because the late
sage and the former Premier of the Western Region, Chief Obafemi
Awolowo, invested in the education of his people.

While he commended Akinlade for donating an Information and
Communication Technology centre to the polytechnic in the past,
Obanikoro noted that it was only knowledge that could liberate the
people in any society.

Akinlade, on his own part, said he was committed to the development of
his constituency, stressing that the civic centre cost N80m.

"The project started four years ago and cost N80m. Nothing is too much
to give in uplifting my people, having earlier built and equipped an
ICT centre in the institution, and other locations in my
constituency," he added.

The Rector, Olusegun Aluko, thanked Akinlade for the gesture, saying
the management would ensure that the facility would be put to
judicious use.
--PUNCH