A former Minister of Information and elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, says he halted the celebration of his birthdays since the Chibok schoolgirls were abducted in Borno State.
Recall that over 200 students of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents from their hostels on April 14, 2014.
The incident drew the ire of local and international leaders and activists, the Nigerian government at the time came under immense pressure to rescue the girls while offering intelligence and support.
Speaking on the occasion of his 96th birthday celebration on Thursday at his residence in Abuja, where prominent personalities including top politicians gathered, Clark said, he had not been celebrating his birthday since the incidence because it was the worst experience any country could have.
Clark, the leader of Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), said, “I stopped celebrating my birthdays since the Chibok school girls were abducted in Borno State. It was very painful.
“Today, I am not celebrating, I am thanking God. I am not celebrating because I lost two younger brothers in the past.
“It’s lack of trust that is breaking up Nigeria; Nigeria is so divided today. I am a Nigerian, I won’t keep quiet when Nigerians are suffering. If Nigeria does not stand properly, there will be no unity, there will be no peace.”
Speaking during the ocassion, the Bayelsa State Governor, Duoye Diri, expressed happiness that Clark was still preaching unity at 96, and could still remember Nigeria’s history with dates.