Bola Badmus, Author at Tribune Online

General Olu Bajowa (retd) has said that devolution of power is an urgent solution to the current territorial integrity and sovereignty challenges being unleashed on the nation by the insurgents and bandits. Bajowa, a former Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Defence, made the call while speaking at Ondo South Security, Economic and Leadership Summit held at Ile Oluji in Ile Oluji/Okegbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, even as he condemned the spate of growing insecurity in the country which he said had further been compounded by a unitary system of government for a multi-ethnic and multicultural country like Nigeria. The Jagunmolu of Ikaleland and Ojagbulegun from the Source, who was the father of the day at the event, noted that it was the responsibility of the government to protect the lives and property of the citizenry as well as the economy and institution. "Recently, insecurity challenge in the country is further compounded by a unitary system of government for a multi-ethnic and multicultural country like Nigeria. ”The panacea to our security problem is devolution of power with the establishment of State Police and decentralisation of the Force down to country’s critical infrastructural levels as it is the practice in other countries. "To curb insecurity in Nigeria, we need devolution of power where there should be at all levels of governance, inclusiveness, fairness, equity, justice and rule of law, and of course, under a detribalised leadership with integrity," he stated. Bajowa, who was represented by Barrister Ilemobayo Ehinmosan at the summit organised by Ondo South Advancement and Welfare Consultative Association (OSAWA) with the theme: "Responsible Leadership: A Panacea For Economic Growth, Youth Involvement And Potential Development of Ondo South," described the theme as apt and appropriate judging by the current situation in the country. He identified unemployment as part of the reasons for the chaotic situation in the country, saying Nigerian youths had great aspirations and expectations but had great frustration with the slow and ineffective manner with which successive governments had mishandled the actualization of their dreams. Gen Bajowa noted that Ondo South had been blessed with adequate natural resources, but queried: "What is the missing link between the abundance and development of the resources in Ondo South?” Bajowa, who was presented a Special Recognition Award by the organizers, saying the general occupied a pride of place in Ondo South, the state and the nation through his unquantifiable contribution to the nation's development, appreciated the organizers for singling him out for recognition and supported them with N250,000, promising to continue to identify with the lofty dream of a better Ondo South Senatorial District. He, however, commended Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his commitment to the protection of lives and property of the people of the state through the establishment of the State Security Network, Amotekun Corps. Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, who was represented by Prince Segun Omojuwa, said: ”There is no doubt that the development of a state like ours is intertwined as every part of the state is blessed with comparative advantage in one thing or the other. "What we are doing here today is, therefore, an effort on the part of Ondo South to contribute to the overall wellbeing of our dear Sunshine State. It goes to motive that OSAWA has assembled an array of development experts to interface and bring up the conversation on the social-economic growth of an integral part of Ondo State." YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE No Evidence Arab League Sent Warning Message To FG On Biafra Movement CLAIM: A Twitter user claims that the Arab League of Nations sent a warning message to the Nigerian government on the Biafra movement.Insecurity: Devolution of power an urgent solution ― Gen Bajowa Insecurity: Devolution of power an urgent solution ― Gen Bajowa