By AbdulMulmin AbdulQuadri and Olowoyobiojo Aishat
• As group hosts annual Ramadan lecture
Lagos-based lawyer, Alhaji Yisa Abdul Kareem (YAK) has called on the Federal government and the office of the National Security Advisor to provide the military personnel with sophisticated arms and motivate people who risk their lives to defend the nation.
He made the call on Sunday at the annual Ramadan lecture organised by the Alimosho Usrah group of The Companion, Association of Muslim Men in Businesses and Profession, with the theme, The Role of Stakeholders in Resolving the Challenges Facing Nigeria: How far, so far?
Alimosho Usrah group, one of the active local governments in Lagos, garnered thousands of Muslim faithful from Lagos and beyond at the Aderemi Makanjuola Hall of Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo to proffer a way forward on the problem of insecurity within the country.
Abdul Kareem, who represented Professor of Practice, Federal University of Oye-Ekiti), Mallam Yusuf Alli (SAN) at the occasion, affirmed that Nigeria is not the only country being faced with the problem of insurgency, saying that some countries have gotten over it.
He then appealed to the government to adequately equip security operatives for the task.
According to Abdul Kareem, The world has advanced now. As we speak here, there is equipment that can detect our location. The government should be focused on getting sophisticated equipment for the security agencies to work with.
“It was alleged that the security agencies don’t have the requisite equipment to work with. Also, it was learnt that the previous government paid for some of this equipment, but was not delivered to the country.
“Nigeria is not only the country facing insecurity challenges, many countries do, but they got over it. Government must motivate the security agencies, so that an average Nigerian security operative, soldier or police will be courageous enough and emboldened to say “I’m going to fight for my country.”
Speaking further, the legal practitioner disagrees with the opinions of Kaduna-based scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gumi on the need for FG to negotiate with bandits and insurgents, saying that it is inappropriate for such opinions to come from a community leader like him.
According to him, He (Gumi) is free to express his opinion, but I don’t agree with him that the government should negotiate with the bandits. Check the number of kidnapped people recently…If the government spends huge resources on paying ransom to faceless criminals, then, the country will gradually turning into a lawless society.
He concluded that Sheikh Gumi is free to hold on to his opinions but it is inappropriate for him to pollute the psyche of innocent Nigerians with such despoiling thoughts.
Abdul Kareem should be “cautioned; called to order and his senses should be assessed”.
He added that kidnappers are humans too and they live among the people, so, the role of every Muslim or individual is to report every suspicious action or movement to appropriate quarters, saying that it is incumbent on government to ensure the safety of such whistle blowers.
Security in academic communities should be beefed up – Dr Akinbo
Rector, of Ogun State College of Health Technology and Allied Sciences, Ilese Ijebu, Dr Rasaki Yinka Akinbo, who chaired the occasion, identified the need to beef up security in academic institutions and equip the outfits with sophisticated up-to-date gadgets and devices to curb attacks on academic institutions.
While reacting to the growing kidnapping of pupils/students in some states in Nigeria, Dr Akinbo disclosed that so much effort is being put in place in his institution to ensure that students are aware and sensitized on security issues.
While using his personal life experience as an example, OSPOHAS Head urged participants at the gathering to stick to prayers, saying it is a key to unlocking life’s difficulties and that it opens the door to success.
The well-attended lecture was graced by His Royal Highness, Oba Abdul Fatai Oladega Talabi, the Aala of Ilala Kingdom, Kwara State, former Rector, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, Abeokuta, Tpl. Waheed Kadiri, present and past Leaders, of The Companion, Lagos District, as well as members of The Criterion, the women wing of The Companion.
Women have great roles to play in resolving national issues – Alh. Ligali
Alhaja Fatimah Folashade Ligali, Chairperson, The Criterion, Alimosho Usrah group, stressed the fact that women have very key roles to play in proffering solutions to myriad of Nigeria’s problems, especially insecurity, as charity begins at home.
She noted that bandits, insurgents and kidnappers start from some homes, adding that the primary assignment of every woman is her home and it should be treated as such.
According to her, no woman should give anything preference over her home.
She also told Muslim News that The Criterion (women’s wing of The Companion) is doing everything possible to better the lives and welfare of Nigerians.
She said: “We have been to Kirikiri to extend hands of love to the inmates. We have reached out to widows, children and the aged. We have expended not less than 5 million naira and we still have some programs in the pipeline. We are poised to do even more.
Our country going through a difficult period in history: Zonal Coordinator
Speaking earlier in his welcome address, the Coordinator, the Alimosho Zonal Coordinator of The Companion, Tpl. Kamor Ogunfowora said the 11th edition of The Companion’s Ramadan lecture coincides with a particularly difficult period in the history of the country.
He noted that it was a period when many Nigerians, including Muslims, are going through an unprecedented hardship largely characterised by astronomical increases in the prices of basic staple foods, medications, transportation as politely as general goods and services.
Ogunfowora, who doubles as Senior Special Assistant to Ogun State Governor on Physical Planning and Urban Development, added that it’s also a period that insecurity is manifesting in various forms such as banditry, kidnapping, ritual killing, communal clashes, and other forms of violent crimes.
The Senior Special Adviser to Ogun State governor said the focus of the lecture this year is therefore, an assessment of the challenges facing Nigeria as well as the seemingly ineffective solutions that have been proffered over the years to create a pathway to an enduring socio-economic development model to permanently address and overcome the challenges.
Security operatives should collaborate: Amir Baruwa
Amir Abdul-Kabeer Olayiwola Baruwa, the Amir, Companion, Lagos District disclosed that The Companion as a key stakeholder has tailored most of her recent programs towards resolving issues facing Nigeria as a country.
He noted that the current situation within the country is not immedicable, but stressed the need for security operatives to collaborate and share intelligence in a bid to ensure better outcomes in terms of national security.
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