…Says governance of human society should be based on Law
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said the recent attacks on security personnel across the country is a declaration of war on the Nigerian nation.
Mohammed pointed out that the attacks on security personnel only aimed at causing a sense of insecurity among the people.
He therefore assured Nigerians that the government will clamp down on those responsible for such heinous acts and ensure they pay for their sins dearly.
The minister who briefed newsmen on the state of the nation, maintained that governance of human society should be based on Law
He said, “Now, there is a growing dangerous trend which I will like to comment on. It is the practice of launching deadly attacks against the nation’s security personnel. Soldiers as well as police, customs and other security agents have been killed and maimed in some parts of the country in this growing trend of targeting security forces. I want to say, unequivocally, that any attack on our security men and women is an attack on the state and a declaration of war against the nation. It follows, therefore, that this will be countered with overwhelming force. When those whose responsibility it is to protect us are themselves being subjected to mindless attacks, it can only be for one reason only: To instill fear and evoke a sense of pervasive insecurity among the people. Whether known or unknown gunmen, those engaged in this dastardly act will pay dearly for their actions.”
The minister who also touched on the recent town hall meeting on security, revealed that the government has commenced work on the ten points agenda raised at the meeting.
He also said that the national Economic council (NEC) chaired by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo has directed all state governors to organize state-wide consultation on them, and then revert to the Council in its next meeting.
He therefore said that the government is not engaging stakeholders on the issue of insurgency and other crimes in the country is not correct.
“Gentlemen, the government realizes that the security challenges we face today are systemic, hence has – in addition to kinetic efforts – also embarked on various non-kinetic measures to most effectively tackle the challenges. Recently, specifically on April 8th 2021, we held a Town Hall Meeting on national security in Kaduna, after which we came out with an implementable, 10-point agenda.”
He listed the ten point agenda reached at the end of the town hall meeting to include ; That the governance of human society should be based on Law rather than the whims and caprices of human beings and must be obeyed by all as all persons are equal before the law including the law givers.
“ That there is an urgent need for political restructuring and not separation; That the Judiciary be decentralized and reformed through; Constitutional Amendment to remove the unitary control of the Superior Courts; That governments at all levels should ensure free, qualitative and compulsory Primary Education for all children of school age.
“That the Military, Police and other Security Agencies should be expanded in number, retrained, provided with modern equipment and technology to cope with emerging security challenges.
“That both religious and traditional leaders should encourage and promote inter-marriages for unity as contained in the 1999 Constitution as amended, Article 15, 3(c) which prescribes inter-marriage among persons from different places of origin, or of different religious, ethnic or linguistic association or ties.
“That the establishment of State Police should be supported by the National and State Houses of Assembly to enable State Governments have firm control in addressing security issues.
“That Traditional Rulers should be given their age-long role of maintaining peace and security within their domain.
“That the Local Government Autonomy be actualized to enable them have control of their areas including the ungoverned spaces in tackling security challenges.
“And finally that the Farmers/Herders clashes be addressed by establishment of ranches, grazing reserves with modern amenities to check the trans-humans of the herders.”
He also stressed that “As far as a national stakeholders’ engagement is concerned, the town hall meeting fits that bill. In a complete departure from our town hall meeting format, we invited panellists and discussants from
outside the government . The Lead Presenter was Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim,
and the four discussants were Mrs Ibukun Awosika, the erstwhile
Chairperson of the First Bank; Prof. Saka Nuru, a renowned veterinary
surgeon; Prof Chudi Uwazuruike, an academic and a former member of the House of Representatives, and Prof Kokunre Eghafona, also from academia. The stakeholders who attended included all the service chiefs, members of the legislative and executive arms of government, civil society organizations, traditional and religious leaders, women and youth groups as well as labour.”
“It is therefore baffling that some commentators give the impression that the Administration is not engaging with the various stakeholders to find a lasting solution to the challenges facing the nation.
“Now, we didn’t just engage in a talk shop. We have taken those
resolutions to the National Economic Council, Chaired by His
Excellency the Vice President, and which also includes all the state
governors. As a prelude to adopting the recommendations, the NEC has directed all state governors to organize state-wide consultation on them, and then revert to the Council in its next meeting.
“Of course, you are all aware that the Honourable Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice has announced that the Federal Government is set to prosecute 400 suspects arrested for allegedly funding terrorism. This is unprecedented and its a testament to the government’s determination to decisively tackle terrorism and other violent crimes.
“While the government continues with these efforts to restore peace and security continues, I want to appeal to all of us to play our part in lowering the palpable tension in the polity as a result of
the security challenges. The first step is to tone down the rhetoric.
While the media must continue to carry out its primary responsibility
to inform, criticize and stimulate debate, it must also realize that
it can only carry out this responsibility in an atmosphere of peace and security. I am therefore appealing to the media to play its part in dousing the pervasive tension. Lending your platforms to
uncompromising separatists and die-hard pessimists about the survivalof our nation can only overheat the polity and aggravate the security challenges. This is not a call for censorship. It is a call for responsibility, in the national interest.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the government retains total confidence in the ability of our security forces to tackle the security challenges we are facing now, whether it is terrorism, banditry, kidnapping or even the farmer-herder conflict. We therefore appeal to all Nigerians to continue to support our security agencies, who today face the added task of having to watch their backs while working to protect us. The least we can do is to give them our unalloyed support.”
