News Release: Nigerians In United Kingdom To Hold Peace Rally In London

Nigerians living in the United Kingdom will be holding A Peace Rally outside Downing Street, London on the 18^th of February, 2012 in solidarity with families who lost their innocent loved ones in terrorist attacks and to send a clear message to the terrorist group Boko Haram that they will never win.

According to the Organizers, Nigeria Associations & Communities in the United Kingdom, the Peace Rally is one in a series of ‘Diaspora Actions’ against terrorism in Nigeria.

The massacre of innocent Nigerians, especially, in places of worship is evil and it is hardly incomprehensible when it is claimed to be executed in God’s name or in the name of a Religion. 

‘We attest our support for the secular status of Nigeria where religion and freedom can co-exist. We believe that religion ought to promote peace, love, fairness and freedom. Any religion which fails to promote these universal human and divine values can be considered a grave danger to society and is anti God. We, therefore, call on the leaders of Islam, Christianity and Natural Religion to endeavour to inculcate these civilised values in their followers’.  

‘We urge the religious and political leaders, especially those in Northern Nigeria, the Federal Government of Nigeria and all peace and truth loving Nigerians, men and women of goodwill everywhere to help in bringing these despicable acts of terrorism to an immediate end and to bring the perpetrators of these heinous crimes and their sponsors to book, no matter their standing in society’ the group said.   

If we have any decency or humanity in us which I believe we have, we should and must mobilize for the streets of London to be overflowing with Nigerians and friends of Nigeria on the 18 February, 2012. Let everybody you come into contact with be made aware of the fact that their attendance is paramount if they want to see a stop to the violence. The option of sitting at home and screaming at the television or radio is not good enough. Let what we do speak louder than our words’.

We must mobilize for change in our attitude as Nigerians against unspeakable evil, we must mobilize against violence. We must restore hope to the distressed, the bereaved, the injured, and the dispossessed. To sit back now and do nothing may spell disaster for us in the future. And inaction, witting or unwitting encourages the violent disintegration of Nigeria.

 We should not wait for other people to take up this campaign before we realise that this is a cause for which every Nigerian should be associated with.  

To support the Peace Rally of the 18 February, 2012 in London, is the least we can do for now to draw the attention of the International Community to the evils of terrorism before it is too late. 

Finally, we urge the Federal Government of Nigeria to be seen to be proactive and serious in addressing the current barbaric situation in Nigeria and reassure Nigerians and Foreigners of their safety in any part of the country, and also pay meaningful compensation to all the victims of Boko Haram atrocities and the victims of any reprisal attack

Signed:

Sam Asoluka