The U.S. Secretary of State, Mr John Kerry, on Tuesday said the fight against corruption has to be a global security of the first order to bring violent extremism to an end.
Mr Kerry was speaking during a courtesy visit on the Sultan at his palace in Sokoto.
Delivering a speech on Resilient Communities and Religious Tolerance in Countering Violent Extremism, Mr Kerry said extremists do not only kill people but also turn the most vulnerable among the society into killers.
Secretary Kerry, told northern religious leaders, tertiary and secondary schools students that terrorism can be eliminated if the society put hands together.
He maintained that Nigerians must do more than just denounce Boko Haram, adding that they also must act right from the grassroots level.
According Mr. Kerry, youths join terrorist organizations because they cannot find meaning or opportunities in their daily lives, thereby believing Boko Haram will give them a sense of identity.
“We also know that beating Boko Haram on the battlefield is only the beginning of what we must do.
“Building public trust in government also requires cooperation from the military and law enforcement. Extremism can’t be defeated through repression or fear”, he said
Other issues identified by Secretary Kerry as major factors leading to terrorism and violent extremism include poverty, integrity and bad governance among others.
Mr Kerry, who commended the Nigerian Army for taking over most territories controlled by Boko Haram, also said President Muhammadu Buhari, now fully understands the situation and the United States government will continue to support Nigeria and the rest of the world in the fight against terrorism.
Lauds Sultan For Promoting Religious Tolerance
He lauded the efforts of the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, for promoting religious tolerance and understanding among Nigerians.
He said that the Sultanate Council was building a community of tolerance for peace, progress and political stability in Nigeria.
He said that the United States would continue to identify itself with the Sultanate in strengthening religious tolerance and understanding among Nigerians.
He said that being the first Secretary of State to visit the seat of the caliphate, all hands should be on deck towards strengthening religious knowledge among Nigerians.
Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar had earlier expressed delight at the visit.
He said that the council would continue to promote peaceful coexistence among Nigerians for the overall political growth of the country.
He explained that religious tolerance and understanding among Nigerians remained the principal objective of the Sultanate in mobilising Nigerians to tolerate one another for peace, progress and political stability of the country.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who accompanied Kerry to the palace, said the state government would continue to strengthen peaceful coexistence among the people, irrespective of religious, tribal and political differences.
“We don’t discriminate on religious,tribal, ethnic or political affiliations as we accommodate all for peace and harmony, ” he said.
Gov. Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara and Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, Deputy National Chairman of APC North West, were present during the courtesy visit on the Sultan.
