By Alhaji Kabir, Birnin Kebbi
For Nigeria to have absolute peace across the northern and some part southern of the country there must be a collective responsibilities from all citizens.
His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III and Former Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahman Danbazau, made the call on Monday at the maiden Media Practitioners Forum And Security Submit, organised by the Kebbi State government, in collaboration with Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum (ABMPF) held at the Presidential Lodge in Birnin Kebbi.
Sultan Sa’ad who described the summit as timely, noted that it has come at a time citizens of this nation will agree with the realities, because, according to him, the nation is facing challenges on killings and Kidnappings.
He noted that “this is another Forum to discuss issues related to insecurity following the one we held recently at the Traditional Rulers Assembly meeting held in Kebbi.
“We are going to take measures seriously, though ideas are being pulled together with a view to coming up with solutions on how to end banditry and other criminal activities in Northern Nigeria,” he added.
He cited example with the recent Kebbi Deputy Speaker’s abduction when millions had to paid paid as ransom to the abductors before he regained freedom.
On American President Donald Trump, Sultan Sa’ad urged government not to allow any country to cause crack among its citizens, assuring that despite the present challenges, Nigeria will remain great and united.
Accordingly, former Chief of Army Staff, Abdulrahman Danbazau, in his presentation, suggested that for the nation to be free from insecurity, problems of poverty, climate change, unemployment and proper utilisation of statutory federation funds must be solved.
He said the influx of religious extremists into the country has contributed to insecurity which requires collective action to crush.
He urged governors in the North to utilise their federation allocations by creating job opportunities and establishing more industries for economic growth.
According to him, indices indicated that due to banditry activities, about 10 million children are being denied access to both primary and secondary schools in the Northern Nigeria.
Also, Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, in an audio clip presented at the event, commended the organisers noting that insecurity issues had as well been discussed at the Northern Governors Forum meeting.
“A lot have been achieved and security personnel dispatched everywhere in the Northern part of the country,” Governor Suke hinted.
“The Forum is hoped to unravel the root causes of insecurity, particularly poverty, climate change, unemployment and the need to tackle them,” he pointed out further.
