TheCable

Lai Mohammed, minister of information, says the editorial by the Financial Times in which Nigeria was said to be  on the brink of becoming a failed state is jaundiced.

In December, the international business newspaper cited insecurity, stalled economic growth and weak institutions as some of the country’s biggest challenges — indicators it used at arriving at its conclusion.

“The definition of a failed state is one where the government is no longer in control. By this yardstick, Africa’s most populous country is teetering on the brink,” the newspaper had said.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Monday, Mohammed said it is sad that no one remembers what the state of security was before President Muhammadu Buhari assumed office.

“Recently, some jaundiced analysts and their lapdogs have sought to portray Nigeria as a failing state, on the strength of its security challenges,” he said.

“But these analysts are dead wrong. Nigeria is not and cannot be a failing or failed state. Of course, you would remember that for the past two decades or so, some pseudo-analysts have been predicting the country’s implosion.

“That has not happened, hence they have found a new tag line: failing or failed state! It’s all a ruse aimed at depicting Nigeria as being in a constant state of anarchy, just so they can achieve their nefarious objectives for the country.

“It is sad that we have forgotten where we were in terms of the state of insecurity just a few years back. Let me mention some
instances that will put things in a better perspective.

“Thanks to our security agencies, we have just celebrated another Christmas and New Year without a rain of bombs. Few would remember that in 2010, 2011 and 2012, Christmas eve or Christmas Day attacks left hundreds dead or injured.

“What about the attack on the UN Complex in Abuja in August 2011; the bombing of media houses in Abuja and Kaduna in April 2012
and the killing of about 40 students in Mubi, Adamawa State, in October 2012? Have we forgotten that over 80 towns and villages were attacked and razed, with casualties, by Boko Haram in Borno State alone?”

Mohammed said these attacks have stopped because of the progress made by the Buhari administration.

”The federal government has sustained the fight against terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements across the country especially in the North-East and the North-West regions,” he said.

“The recent swift response and rescue of the 344 kidnapped Kankara schools boys in Katsina State from bandits attest to this.

“Let me say this; doomsday predictions about Nigeria will not come to pass. Nigeria will not become a failed state, but will rise to become a more respected member of the comity of nations.”