Security crisis facing Nigeria, Richard Attias' open letter

RIchard Attias will be organising the New York Forum Africa in Gabon between 23-25th May. In addition, look out for the May Issue of African Business featuring an interview with Richard Attias. And finally, below is an open letter Richard Attias felt compelled to write President Jonathan Goodluck

New African reports

H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan
President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
The State House
NG-Abuja

Dear President Jonathan,

It is incumbent on all men to speak out against acts of injustice, of senseless violence and of terrorism. It is for this reason that I have personally been called to action and why I feel so passionately that action must be taken to address the security crisis facing Nigeria at this very moment. I am therefore writing to you now to beseech you to act swiftly and decisively, in a manner befitting a head of state. I am of course referring to the recent acts of the Boko Haram militant group both in Abuja and in Borno State.

The deadly attacks on the bus station in Abuja, which left 75 deceased and 141 people wounded was an indiscriminate act of violence reminiscent of the kinds of attacks which have been perpetuated by armed terrorist groups around the world, targeting civilian non-combatants. While these tactics have been used repeatedly they are only effective in proving that the criminal elements who are responsible are merciless and have no place in society.  The government of Nigeria must be equally merciless with its response to seek out those responsible in order to send a powerful message: this was not acceptable and it will never happen again.

Your country should be congratulated for being recently recognized as our continent’s largest economy, with record GDP growth and the promise of creating a more inclusive society for the current and the coming generation. In a few weeks time, you country will host the World Economic Forum Africa summit, a meeting that I know well as I produced it myself for 15 years in cities across the continent. Never, at any point did we face such a security crisis as the one which is underway now in Nigeria and with so many high level officials, heads of state and global CEOs due to arrive it important to not just tell, but to show the international community that Nigeria is open for business and that it’s a safe, secure destination.

With regard to the kidnapping of the 129 school girls in Chibok area of Borno State, my wife Cecilia and I want the girls, and the world to know that our heart beats to the rhythm of their ordeal. Why were these schoolgirls kidnapped by Boko Haram? They were taken because they were guilty of seeking an education free from the shackles of religious fundamentalism that this militant group aspires to impose on the whole of Nigeria.  These girls now deserve our support and help.

As I stated in a recent opinion piece in the Huffington Post, we must not remain silent, and thereby complicit, nor should we allow criminals who believe in their own impunity to prey on children. We must remember that each of our girls could be a schoolgirl in Chibok. 

In his Easter prayers this past week, His Holiness Pope Francis prayed for your country, and for those impacted by recent events.  As a man of God, Mr. President, Please show the true ilk and conscience of a leader and respond.  Show that the forces of justice, peace and stability are stronger than the anarchy that has crept into Nigeria this past week. This is your moment.  The true test of nation and leadership comes at an hour which choses us, not at an hour of our choosing.  

Yours sincerely,
Richard Attias
Founder, New York Forum AFRICA