The Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Yahaya Bello, on Thursday, accused the political elite of being responsible for the current state of insecurity in the country, warning Nigerians on the kind of leaders they will vote for in 2023.
He spoke at the National Security Summit, organised by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), as part of efforts of the students to find lasting solutions to the deteriorating security situation in the country, especially the growing attacks on schools and kidnapping of students and teachers for ransom.
Bello insisted that President Muhammadu Buhari inherited a decayed security architecture and has tremendously improved on it, stressing that Nigerians were getting it wrong by accusing President Buhari of insecurity in the country.
He condemned the invasion of the University of Abuja and abduction of some staff and children, urging every Nigerian to be security conscious and be ready to expose the criminal elements living among them.
He further noted that for any meaningful development to take place in the country, “we must get both education and security right,” adding that leaders at all levels must be committed to the safety, unity and development of Nigeria.
“There are responsibilities that lie on our shoulders. Who are the managers of these securities? The management of these securities are the politician, the political class not the service chiefs or the president.”
To overcome the current issues bedevilling the country, the governor said Nigeria need to vote for those who have good track records. “We can get insecurity and education right. Whoever is going to be president in 2023 we must go into records before we choose and select,” he said.
Citing the success story in Kogi, where according to him insecurity is a thing of the past, Bello said every citizen in the state is so informed and know exactly who are the criminals among them.
“Those helping us are not security men made from heaven but the same army, navy or police. We didn’t hire anyone outside the state because the citizens are up and willing to defend themselves.”
The chairman of the occasion, the governor of Ekiti, Dr Kayode Fayemi, represented by the special adviser on federal matters, Hon. Makinde Araoye urged governments at various levels to ensure young people are engaged in intelligence gathering.
He stressed the need for more young people to be given platforms in electoral positions to partake in governance.
He said: “There is a need to prioritise the safety and security of educational institutions, including adequate protection for corps members. We must refocus on the education sector in order to reduce the out of school children.”
The vice-chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Nnenna Oti, who was the keynote speaker said the future of the country lies in the hands of the youths.
The professor of soil science and environmental conservation, who spoke on the topic, said there is a need to diversify the nation’s economy and agriculture to attract foreign investors.
The minister of communications and digital economy, Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, commended NANS for organising the summit focusing on security.
“The hope of this country lies in you and you must get ready to take up the challenge of leading this nation that’s why we are coming up with so many policies to ensure safety. The introduction of NIN is to ensure that our country is safe,” he said.
NANS national president, Sunday Asefon, said insecurity has become a national challenge that is threatening the nation, hence the need for the summit.
According to him, “All hands must be on deck to combat insecurity. It is no longer the business of the government but all of us.”
He also lamented the poor state infrastructure in the country, calling on the government to rise up to its obligation.
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Political elites fueling insecurity in Nigeria ― Yahaya Bello
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