Don’t abandon govt to fight against insecurity, Lawan, army chief tell Nigerians

Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti

The Senate President, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Farouq Yahaya yesterday appealed to Nigerians not to abandon the federal government in the fight against bandits, terrorists and kidnappers.

The duo, also, urged Nigerians to see security as a collective responsibility while lamenting the upsurge of terrorism and kidnapping incidents across the six geopolitical zones.

They made the calls in Iyin Ekiti, Irepodun/Ifelodun Local Government area of Ekiti State yesterday when Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adeola Ajakaye conferred an honourary chieftaincy title, Akorewolu of Iyin Ekiti, on the senate president.

Lawan, who represents Yobe North, stormed the town in company with the Senator representing Ekiti Central, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele and 29 other senators.

Lawan, who thanked the monarch for the honour, explained that the ninth senate “has done what we need to do to make Nigeria great. Our leaders, who set a vision for the federation, came from different constituencies, backgrounds and religious inclinations.

“But they have a vision that Nigeria should be best in Africa. Many challenges were faced, but those leaders dealt with some of them and subdued them. Other subsequent leaders also have a vision to make Nigeria a country that will be progressive.

“Like our former leaders used to do, we are also dealing with these challenges despite our political, ethnic and religious differences. Now, we are facing security challenges all over the country. Political, religious and traditional leaders must come together.

“Whether the problem is predominant in the Northwest or Northeast or Southwest or South-east, all hands must be on the deck to resolve all these challenges. As a matter of urgency, we should come together as a people and deal with these challenges, most of them if not all of them and make Nigeria a great country.

“No part of Nigeria can entirely face the problems facing the country and tackle them all,” the senator told traditional rulers, community leaders, religious scribes and political leaders, who gathered in the rustic town to welcome him.

The senate president described Bamidele as a reliable political leader, who values integrity, propriety, professionalism and development of the country, especially Ekiti State.

He said: “The Senate passed a bill establishing a Medical University here in Iyin Ekiti through a bill sponsored by Senator Bamidele. I will make sure I lobby President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the bill so that the university can take off in time.”

Also speaking on security challenges facing Nigeria, the chief of army staff said the Nigerian Army “is working tirelessly to secure the federation.”

Yahaya said his men and officers were achieving the task by containing the activities of terrorists and bandits, killing and kidnapping the citizens, thereby subjecting the nation to unnecessary chaos and panic.

“The armed forces are doing their best to secure the nation and we will continue in the task of making Nigeria free from this present security situation.

“Security is a business of everybody, all stakeholders, particularly the community leaders. It is the responsibility of every Nigerian. We appeal to Nigerians to join us in the task of securing the nation.

“We are ready to work with other sister agencies to secure our nation. We are also tapping from the experiences of those that had served before us in the Armed Forces to guide us in our present task of securing our country Nigeria”, Yahaya said.

While addressing his constituents, Bamidele said he would continue to work hard to attract dividends of democracy to Ekiti State.

Bamidele applauded the leadership of the senate for their glowing passion “to work with the executive arm, to bring development to all the senatorial districts across the country.”