For Nigeria to attain its goal of becoming a leading global economy, sectarian violence and killings must cease, the Nigerian Institute of Management has said.The institute, at the inauguration of its 18th President in Lagos on Thursday, said Nigeria deserved peace and stability if it must match the expectation of becoming a nation with economic development.The newly- inaugurated President and Chairman of Council, NIM, Dr. Michael Olawale-Cole, said that for Nigeria to attain its potential in economic and human development , a peaceful environment was essential.He said,"The NIM first of all, call on all the perpetrators to desist from killing innocent people and choose a peaceful route to resolving whatever their disputes and issues are."I will lead this new dispensation by addressing a current major issue facing our country Nigeria. The sectarian terrorism must stop!"He stressed that the consequences of not strategically addressing this malaise were beyond human and material losses, noting that it was sad and regrettable that Nigeria had lost many innocent lives and valuables as a result of the indecent acts by a few non-patriots. "These damages must stop!" he stressed."No nation can be among the first 20 in the world by year 2020, if it continues to move and manage in the form currently displayed by our nation Nigeria,"Olawale-Cole added.He said the current topmost nations were neither waiting, nor slumbering for others to displace them, and explained that it would be wishful thinking if Nigeria desired to be among leading economies when it appeared to be deep in slumber.According to him, no country can achieve economic growth and development in a state of chaos and violence.He said, "I call on all patriotic Nigerians in the north and south, in the east and west, to rise up and be counted to save Nigeria from itself. We cannot allow the violence of Boko Haram and others to continue to intimidate us. As a nation, we must stand up and find lasting solutions to arrest the threat of Boko Haram before we get consumed by civil war."I especially call on all notable leaders of the north - General Mohammed Buhari, Alhaji Abubakar Atiku, General Yakubu Gowon, Dr. Olusola Saraki, Alhaji Tafida, General Ibrahim Babangida, the Emirs and Sultans of our northern towns, to intervene in this issue immediately."Your sincere efforts, I believe, can make those attempting to make Nigeria ungovernable to listen and desist from their grievous acts."
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