L-R: Guest Lecturer and Governor, Niger State, Dr. Babangida Aliyu; his counterpart, Dr Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); representative of National Chairman, Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN Mrs. Francisca Emmanuel; and Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Fola Ator-Worrey, duringa public lecture organised by the Obafemi Awolowo Institute of Government and Public Policy, in Lagos... on Thursday.
Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his Niger State counterpart, Dr. Babangida Aliyu have stated that the current insecurity that besets the country will be effectively addressed if the nation handles its internal security by fighting inequality, poverty, corruption and unemployment.
The Governors made the suggestions at a public lecture titled “The Search for the National Security in Nigeria” organized by the Obafemi Awolowo Institute of Government and Public Policy in Lagos on Thursday.
Dr. Fayemi who chaired the lecture submitted that there can be no national security unless the security of citizens are accorded top priority; stressing that serious attention should be paid to the safety and security of citizens.
The Governor noted that the security measures of government would work if economic policies are driven by respect for the need of the citizens and added that inequality in wealth amassment among citizens may have been responsible for the involvement of some citizens in social vices.
He said the greatest threat to the existence of the country is the inability of leaders to set the pathway for the successor generation and create a vision and leadership that the upcoming generation can look up to.
Fayemi asserted that the failed internal security system has warranted the drafting of the Military into handling of domestic; adding that this is an ominous call to the Military that the civilian leadership is incapable of safeguarding the lives of the citizenry.
While maintaining his stand on the need for state police, the Governor expressed worry that over one-third of the Nigerian Police personnel is deployed for policing political appointees, violating United Nations recommendations on policing of one policeman to 400 citizens.
Governor Fayemi who expressed joy that the Niger State Governor had finally thrown his weight behind community police said that virtually all countries with federal political system have state and federal police because state police can effectively manage internal security issues before they get out of hands.
In his lecture, the Niger State Governor, Dr. Aliyu advocated for a review of the structure of the nation; highlighting federalism, rationalization of some public institutions and a review of the nation’s revenue formula to engender equity and fairness.
Dr. Aliyu who had described Fayemi as a light at the end of the tunnel and a hope for the coming generation said without economic stability, there won’t be peace and security in the country; stressing that the absence of social amenities is responsible for social unrest.
He called for an embrace of collective and shared responsibilities because national security is an investment and responsibility of all.
“We should take a cue from the German principle of federalism that promotes even development and discourage lopsided development, and that devolves enormous responsibilities and resources to the lower tiers of government (grassroots) where the majority of people live”, he said.
The Chief Servant noted that the various ethnic crises in the country are products of the nation’s imperfections; stating that the country must be sophisticated in her approach to security challenges.
The Governor identified corruption as the greatest impediment to national security and is responsible for the unending poverty, greed, unemployment and underdevelopment in the country.
Last modified: September 29, 2012
