The national security adviser, General Andrew Owoye Azazi (rtd), yesterday stated that the failure to address economic hardship and lack of economic opportunity have opened a fertile ground for the recruitment, indoctrination, brainwashing and training of terrorists and other insurgents in the country.
Azazi, who spoke on “Northern Nigeria, the prosperity agenda and national security” at the Northern Impact Summit organised by the Arewa Transformation and Empowerment Initiative in Kaduna, also stated that Nigeria cannot stand divided despite the security challenges.
‘‘One glue that holds our great nation together is the expectation that, in the aggregate, we are better off together than in isolation from each other and that the achievement of prosperity is easier when we pursue it collectively. This means that our leaders must focus on the Nigerian “value added”, ensuring that the whole is better than the sum of the parts,” Azazi said.
According to the NSA whose remark a forthnight ago is still generating controversy, even though the incidence of bombing and terrorist attacks had been concentrated in the north, the economy of the country has been negatively affected by the trend. The lopsided economic development of any nation has never worked anywhere and is capable of leading to the collapse of such a nation, he said.
Represented on the occasion by one of his advisers, Prof. Soji Adelaja, Azazi said that the long-term failure to address long-standing economic problems helps erode national cohesion and the ability to advance as a nation, citing events in the Middle East and North African countries to buttress his point.
Nigeria cannot afford to leave behind any part of the country in the quest towards prosperity, he stated, adding that a comprehensive regional economic transformation remained a focal point of the current administration’s policies.
He said: “We owe it to ourselves and future generations to finally occupy our rightful place within the comity of nations. Nigeria can ill afford to leave any of its states or region behind in this march towards a long overdue achievement of prosperity.
“I can certainly assure you that the lopsided economic growth is not in the best interest of our national security. I applaud the Arewa Transformation and Empowerment Initiative (ATEI) for recognising that unique attention needs to be paid to the north; that a credible agenda is critical to the north’s success and that leadership is needed in advancing such an agenda”
Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo, who was represented by the Kaduna State deputy governor, Alhaji Ramalan Yero, said government shall continue to support groups and projects aimed at complementing government’s drive towards accelerated development of the nation.
‘‘Our Transformation Agenda is fashioned in such a manner to be an all-inclusive agenda that would leave no stone unturned in positively transforming the fortunes of this great country,” he said.
Kaduna State governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa said it was regrettable that the north which boasts of more than 60% of Nigeria’s land mass with abundant natural resources in the agricultural and solid mineral sectors has been unable to turn such advantages into economic growth and development for various reasons.
Yakowa, who was represented by his commissioner for economic planning, Timothy Gandu, said that the incongruity in this whole situation is that the north seems to be rather leading in poverty, unemployment, illiteracy and, only recently, insecurity.
FG is ready to discuss with Boko Haram – Sambo
Against the backdrop of the security threat posed by the Boko Haram sect, Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday assured Nigerians of the federal government’s commitment to achieving its transformation agenda, saying the agenda was a panacea for peace and national cohesion.
Against the backdrop of the security threat posed by the Boko Haram sect, Vice President Namadi Sambo yesterday assured Nigerians of the federal government’s commitment to achieving its transformation agenda, saying the agenda was a panacea for peace and national cohesion.
Speaking yesterday in Abuja at a national symposium organised by Nasrul-Lahi-il-Fathi Society of Nigeria (NASFAT) themed “Islam and Peaceful Co-existence in a Contemporary Multi-Religious Society,” the vice president regretted activities of the sect which, he said, attempted to “hijack our efforts towards national unity and progress”. He called on them to take advantage of the invitation by the federal government and come to the table, as even the worst of wars often end in dialogue.
“Islam is a religion of peace, a way of life, and cannot promote mindless killing and wanton destruction of property. I am not aware of any religion that promotes or encourages unprovoked attack on other people.
It is clear that the terrorist attacks are targeted at all segments of our society and I seize this opportunity to call on them to come forward for a dialogue. The government is ready to discuss with them,” the vice president said.
No plan to Islamise Nigeria – Sultan
Also speaking at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, said there was no plan by the Muslims in Nigeria to Islamise the country by force.
Also speaking at the event, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, said there was no plan by the Muslims in Nigeria to Islamise the country by force.
He reiterated that Islam was for peace and not a religion spread by force, but by conviction as contained both in the Qur’an and the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad.
“Let me emphasise here that Muslims are not having any plan to Islamise Nigerians by force. What Islam stands for is peace and nothing more,” said the Sultan who was the chairman of the occasion.
The Islamic leader advised religious leaders to stop making inflammatory comments capable of causing disunity among the adherents of the various religions in the country.
Said he: “I must tell you that there is no such agenda to Islamise Nigeria. Leaders should stop such comments. It heats up the polity and hurts the sensibility of Muslims.
“As a soldier, I know the meaning of plan, all the Muslim leaders in this country are seated here and if there is any of such plan, we should know about it.”
The Sultan said it was wrong to attribute Jihad to war, condemning the activities of those who indulged in violence, he urged the federal government to ensure adequate protection of Nigerians.
Earlier in his address, NASFAT president, Alhaji Sherrif Yusuf, said the organization felt compelled to stage the symposium in view of prevailing security challenges posed by the emergence of the militant organizations hiding under ethnocentric and religious façade to destroy, kill, maim and ultimately instill fear and terror into the minds of all citizens.”
Government has failed – Tinubu
Former governor of Lagos State Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday in Benin City, decried the poor funding of security agencies in the Country describing the budgetary allocation in tackling insecurity as worthless. The federal government has failed in its constitutional responsibility of guaranteeing safety of lives and property of its citizenry, he stated.
Former governor of Lagos State Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday in Benin City, decried the poor funding of security agencies in the Country describing the budgetary allocation in tackling insecurity as worthless. The federal government has failed in its constitutional responsibility of guaranteeing safety of lives and property of its citizenry, he stated.
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) national leader, who was also the chief launcher at the maiden Edo State N10 Billion Security Appeal Fund, said in spite of the constitutional powers conferred on governors as the chief security officers of their states, the federal government has not lived up to expectation in ensuring adequate security in the country.
He said the Nigerian constitution mandates governors as the chief security officers of their states, but, unfortunately, the federal government has been unable to fund the constitutional mandate of the states to provide effective security: “States have had to fund from their scarce resources effective policing in their states.
In this year’s budget, for example, the federal government allocated the sum of N921 billion for security, which amounts to a paltry 19.4 % of the total budgetary outlay of N4.749 trillion. Yet no state or country can attract investments and development without assurances of security of life and property.
“Hence, I support wholeheartedly your initiative to establish the Edo State Security Trust Fund to provide funds needed to enhance and ensure effective state policing. The time couldn’t have been more perfect, given the state of security in the state and nationwide.
Indeed, the rapidly deteriorating security situation across the country needs to be confronted and prevented. A fund like this will equip the security forces to confront the challenge and equip the police force with armored vehicles. It will enhance security control and ensure that water and land securities are in place.”
Reps ask IGP to produce security blueprint
Worried about the rising wave of insecurity across the country, the House of Representatives has directed the inspector-general of police, Mohammed Abubakar, to urgently come up with a strategic master plan on how to combat insecurity in the country.
Worried about the rising wave of insecurity across the country, the House of Representatives has directed the inspector-general of police, Mohammed Abubakar, to urgently come up with a strategic master plan on how to combat insecurity in the country.
The lawmakers made this known on Thursday after adopting the amended resolutions of a motion moved by Hon. Chris Azubogu (PDP, Anambra) under a matter of urgent national importance on armed banditry in Anambra State.
After extensively debating the merit of the motion, the lawmakers resolved that the police chief should intensify road patrols along the nation’s highways, especially in dark spots.
Leading the debate, Azubogu lamented that the activities of armed bandits in the state has been causing residents and other people in the area to have sleepless nights, a situation which has also led to an adverse change in the economic activities in the state.
He urged the relevant agencies to beef up security in the state with a view to bringing stability back to the state.
Speaking in support of the motion, Hon. Bitrus Kaze (PDP, Plateau) lamented that the situation is not better in any other state in the country, adding that there is urgent need to act fast to save the situation.
“The situation in Nigeria is becoming very serious and something should be done to ensure the security of lives and property in the south-south and south-east region,” he said, citing instances of kidnap of notable people and relatives of people who are perceived to be rich and influential in the society.
Other members who spoke in support of the motion also called for such policies as the creation of state police to be revisited in order to ensure a more effective response system.
One of the lawmakers, Hon. Ezenwa Onyebuchi, expressed fear at the fast pace at which crime is growing in the country, noting that “the country is moving towards anarchy”. He urged the House to invite the inspector-general of police to come and brief the House on strategies he plans to adopt in fighting the situation.
Similarly, the lawmakers also adopted another resolution of a motion moved by Hon. Bamidele Faparusi (ACN, Ekiti) urging the Nigeria Police to train and provide their personnel with necessary communication gadgets and vehicles to effectively patrol the highways.
SOURCE: Leadership Newspaper, 11 May 2012. http://www.leadership.ng/nga/
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