by Stanley Azuakola
This year, the number one challenge of the Nigerian government has been how to curtail the menace of Boko Haram.
One of the greatest criticisms of the Jonathan administration is the frequent setting up of committees without implementing the recommendations that flow from such committees. This tradition did not begin from the Jonathan administration however.
One of the more famous ignored recommendation was that proffered by Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, the then supreme leader of Muslims in Nigeria and Sultan of Sokoto in 1991.
Dasuki made the recommendations based on his role as chairman of the "Peaceful Co-existence Committees" that reeled out a strategy for lasting peace in the North and Nigeria in general, called the "Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki 1993 Peaceful Co-existence Plan".
The Dasuki plan stood on the 8 cardinal reforms in the areas of Administration of Justice, Civil Service, Security System, the Press, Education and Employment opportunities.
The recommendations were never implemented even when Dasuki was still Sultan; and after his deposement it was just allowed to rot.
In the past two weeks, the ex-Sultan has consistently drawn attention to his 1993 plan, believing that it is the panacea to our country’s upheavals in these trying times.
He spoke again in Kaduna last weekend and he had this to say: "Last year, somebody asked me: 'What are we going to do about this Boko Haram?' I said, 'Let the government, from the local level up to Aso Rock declare from today they will do justice, and we wait and see.'
"To me, in so doing, we shall live in peace and not in pieces. I may be wrong, but I think that is the correct thing because I am doing it according to our own scripture."
He had three suggestions which if implemented, would allow Nigeria emerge as a united nation from the present state. They included giving traditional rulers a role in the polity, appointing competent leadership and encouraging inter-faith dialogue.
He also said:
"People have to talk now.
"One… Muslims and Christians (have) to meet and discuss what is worrying them. Two, leadership (has) to emerge through the community to intra-state, state, regional and then national.
"So, I hope by this method, honest leadership will emerge; competent leadership, committed leadership from the intra-state, the community, to regional and even to national level," he said.
