The Nation Newspaper

Tag: security

  • Security, diplomacy and emerging perspectives

    Nigeria’s  President Muhammadu  Ribadu, under pressure  to choose his cabinet in time,  was reported  to have retorted  that there was scarcity  of good honest  human  capacity.  According to reports he said so many knowledgeable  Nigerians have been compromised  by those who want  to use them to subvert our security  and loot  our  economy.  So  it is not as if the Nigerian president is wasting time or buying it.  He  is busy  working to live up to his mandate and his billing, especially on security and the anti  corruption crusade. But he  knows as well that what is what  doing at all is worth  doing well and  I  cannot  agree more.

     That really  is the name of the game today as  we  look  at  how what seemed to have hamstrung the Nigerian president  in living quickly up to the expectations  of those who elected him recently seem  akin   to  the same thing that has changed  the course of world diplomacy  in recent times. This  is because  on  the global   diplomatic  scene  solutions are not forthcoming fast enough and   where they  have surfaced they have been baffling and complicated, throwing up confusion in terms of expected appreciation  or  understanding. The result is an emerging trend  of world perspectives,  relations and alliances pitching strange bedfellows  together  in  bizarre     and   assorted relationships  both  in  the  volatile  hot spots as  well  as the   peaceful   regions of the world.

    Starting with  Turkey   in  the  EU,  NATO  had  to hold a special  meeting last week  to consider how to  defend  Turkey  against  the increased  onslaught  of  ISIS which  has killed several people in that  nation recently.  Yet  Turkey  has been  struggling for over 50 years to become a full  member of the EU  in  which  some powerful  member nations  are  suspicious  of  Turkey’s  Islamic credentials  and  background.  But now NATO  is  to  defend an Islamist  nation  against ISIS in the name  of humanity and for  its  own security.

    Similarly,  US  Secretary  of  State  John  Kerry  was busy  this week  explaining  to US  legislators why they  should not  throw out the Nuclear  Deal  the Obama  government  had struck with  Iran. This is in spite of the fact that even the  US  president  has sworn to veto  any turn down  of the deal  by Congress and  the  Ayatollah  Khameini, the real power in Iran  has questioned US good intentions on the deal.  So  on whose side  is the  US Secretary  of State? Definitely  the US legislators are  not going to take him  seriously as  most  of them  have sympathy  for Israel  and  its security and Israel  has said through   its vocal  Premier Benjamin  Netanyahu  that the Obama government  has been fooled on the deal because an  Iran spokesman still  recently said that Iran  will  never recognize  Israel.  So  the new  perspective is a US government pleading for understanding of a nuclear  deal with,  of  all  nations-  Iran,  whose Ayatollah  Ruhollah  Khomeini called  America   the ‘Great  Satan‘ during the  Iran  Hostage  Crisis  during the Jimmy  Carter  Presidency.

    More  bizarrely Iran  and  Saudi  Arabia  are  jointly  fighting ISIS  on  all fronts except  Iraq  where  sectarian violence between  Sunni  and  Shiite  Muslims  have made Iraq ungovernable  and a doomed  failed  state  in spite  of US airstrikes  to shore up  the country and preserve  the  territorial rumps  of its sovereignty.  Yet   it has  not  occurred  to  the ruling House  of Saud  which is the monarchy  in  Saudi  Arabia or  the Islamic  Autocracy in Iran  that  they  could bury the hatchet on their sectarian  differences  to fight a common ruinous foe that ISIS  has  become to them in their nations  and regions of influence.  Instead  the Iranian Nuclear  Deal  made  the Saudi  Monarchy  suspicious  of US intentions although they knew that the volume of trade  with  the  US  assured  that he who  paid the piper  should  dictate  the tune.  Even  then  however given  the enormity  of the challenge of ISIS  the  two  champions  of  Shiite and Sunni  Islam  should  have shown each  other some armistice  or respite  to get ISIS  out  of the way  as quickly as possible in the  interest  of their  religion and the  welfare  and security  of   the millions of adherents following their dictates and direction.

    In  the same vein  the  visit  of the US  President  Barak  Obama  to  Ethiopia a Marxist  nation almost  laid waste  recently   by IMF  conditionalities  which    it  rejected  when  it needed  economic  assistance is  instructive.  This time the US is asking for Ethiopian  military  cooperation  in fighting Al  Shabaab in the region  on the  Horn  of  Africa.  When  Ethiopia asked for  World  Bank  loans in the past  the American  funding officials  and bankers asked for such repayment arrangements   and  terms that would have crippled the Ethiopian  nation  and ruined  its social  fabric  and cohesion.  The  present  Ethiopian government rejected  such  anti  social  and anti  people  conditions  and did things their own way and Ethiopia survived  to  date   to be the new bride of the US  in the war against Islamic  terrorism  now threatening   the global  dominance and  security  of the US.

    Actually  the visit  of the new  Nigerian president to  Cameroun  should  be seen in terms of new  perspectives  and diplomatic  vistas. After  the  past,  bad  vibes  of Bakassi  and the trauma  of the World  Court verdict favoring our neighbour   our  president has done well  to let bygones be bygones  and allow  the two  nations to chart a new course  of  détente. Of  course the Boko  Haram  menace  was a stimulant  for the new  cordiality  and its security  input  are certainly undisputable.  But  then Francophone nations in  Africa especially   West  Africa  have always begrudged  Nigeria’s  size  and  leadership not through their own volition  or disposition  but because  they have been culturally  tied  to the apron string of  France  their  colonial  master  that  never  wanted them  to be truly independent  individuals capable  of being on their  own.

    President  Paul  Biya is over  80  and is much  older than our president but  the issue of security cooperation  transcends age as it  has to do with the present dangers  and the protection of populations  and posterity. Boko  Haram  has penetrated both  Cameroun and Nigeria with impunity  in recent times and especially during the life of the last  administration. We  even read  stories  of Nigerian soldiers  shedding their uniform  and surrendering across the border to be returned later in humiliating fashion. The  appointment  of new service chiefs especially for the Army  and the appointment  of a new Army  Chief  should show unserious military personnel  that it  cannot  be business as  usual  in the fight against  Boko  Haram.

    The  fact  that the  new  Army  Chief  was photographed as he set  his walking stick aside to do  press  ups  in front of troops in the war zone of the North  East  showed  that the  era  of pot bellied leadership of the Army is over and that indeed the days  of  Boko  Haram  are numbered under the new military leadership.  That  surely  is another  welcome perspective that  should  delight Nigerians in terms  of the expected turn  around of our security and economic  fortunes under  the present dispensation. Again, long live the Federal  Republic of  Nigeria.

  • Security challenge: SSS vows to secure Abuja

    Security challenge: SSS vows to secure Abuja

    Director of State Security Service (SSS) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mallam‎ Bello Bakori has vowed to ensure that Abuja is free from any security breaches by providing adequate intelligence.

    Bakori promised that the SSS will continue to provide ‎sufficient intelligence to assist the FCT Administration deliver good governance to the people.

    He stated this Wednesday in Abuja, during a courtesy visit to the FCT Permanent Secretary Engr. John Chukwu‎.

    In a statement sent by the‎ Deputy Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Muhammad Sule, Bakori was quoted as saying, “My office would continue to provide quality intelligence to assist the FCT Administration deliver good governance to the residents.

    “We will also continue to strive for the Federal Capital Territory to be free from any security breaches by providing the necessary intelligence.”

    Engr. Chukwu called on synergy between all security agencies operating in the FCT‎, to ensure that Abuja is free from all criminal activities.

    He said that the call has become necessary because of the ever influx of people into the Territory, due to security challenges in some parts of the country, thereby making the security situation in the FCT more challenging.

    Engr Chukwu added that; “We want continued peace and stability in the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory because Abuja is hosting Mr. President, members of the diplomatic community as well as serving as the seat of government, which calls for security agencies to be more proactive in service delivery.

    “This is a period of reflection and change, I will like to also call on the security agencies in the Territory to continue to put in their best to enable Abuja remain a pacesetter because it’s no longer business as usual.

    “I will like to enjoin all the heads of the security and anti corruption agencies in FCT to bridge the gap between the staff of the FCT Administration and their respective organizations, since we are all working for the government and for the common good of the people.”

  • Cameroon tightens security as Buhari visits today

    AUTHORITIES in Cameroon have tightened security in Yaounde ahead of President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit today.

    The President is billed to begin a friendly and working visit to the country for talks with Cameroonian President Paul Biya as part of efforts to defeat the Boko Haram terrorists.

    He had visited Niger and Chad shortly after his inauguration on May 29. The Cameroonian trip was shifted following the Muslims’ Ramadan fast and the President’s invitation to the G-7 Summit in Germany.

    The Nation reporter, who is in Cameroon, observed increased security patrols  in the capital yesterday.

    Armed security personnel, who have been drafted to major spots in Yaoundé and other areas towards checking the onslaught of Boko Haram, have increased their surveillance.

    Besides, private and public vehicles, including those with diplomatic number plates, were undergoing thorough checking.

    Visitors were also being thoroughly screened at the airports.

    Five suicide bombings,  which took several lives,  had been carried out by Boko Haram insurgents in the last two weeks.

    Speaking to reporters in Yaoundé on Buhari’s visit, Nigeria’s High Commissioner in Cameroon, Ambassador Hadiza Mustapha said: “It is our tradition in Nigeria that when Presidents come into office, his first port of call should be African countries. His visit shows the highest level of cordiality.

    “There is need to synergise with the frontline states bordering both countries to confront insurgency, in order to build on the gains so far achieved.

    “Nigeria’s relations with Cameroon have a long history of economic and political ties anchored on affinities and shared destiny.

    “It is a significant visit and we are looking forward to it. The President is going to spend a night, which shows you how much importance he attaches to it. I’m honoured to be receiving the second Nigerian President as an ambassador here.”

    On the discussion of  bilateral relations between the two countries, she said: “There are many issues at stake but the main discussion is up to the Presidents to define the scope and the content.

    “I know that President Buhari is thankful for the help Cameroon has offered to our refugees, so I will not be surprised if such subjects come up.”

    The President, who is due back in Abuja on Thursday, will undertake a one-day trip to Benin Republic on Saturday for talks with President Boni Yayi to round-off the diplomatic shuttle to neighbouring countries, initiated after assumption of office.

    These are aimed at strengthening regional cooperation against terrorism and making it harder for Boko Haram to operate across national boundaries.

  • Lagos community brainstorms on security

    Lagos community brainstorms on security

    A call has been made for a more invigorated and better equipped Marine Police that would provide effective security and make the Lagos waterways more secure.

    The Director of the Department of Security Service (DSS) for Ijede Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Oluwasoji Babalola made the call at a safety and security stakeholders meeting organised by the LCDA, for leaders of Ijede and its environs, at the LCDA community hall Ijede on Friday.

    While appraising the security situation in the area, following a string of robbery attacks in Lekki and Ikorodu in which the robbers escaped through the lagoon, Babalola called on the Federal and the Lagos State Governments to intensify their investment  in Marine Police in order to ensure the combat readiness of the force in order to guarantee safety of the waterways.

    He said robbers are operating at will and escaping through the lagoon because they knew that the fire power of the Marine Police is weak.

    He said a more combat-ready Marine force would make the waterways too hot for criminals to contemplate using as getaway from a crime scene.

    He said: “To truly make Lagos hot for robbers and other criminals, we must develop a robust security network that must plug all loopholes and make our waterways watertight security-wise.”

    He equally challenged local governments and LCDAs with riverside boundaries to establish local Security Trust Fund to give logistic support to the state government’s intervention in making the state safe from criminals. Hoteliers, banks, companies and corporate organisations within the area, he said, should assist in raising such fund.

    Babalola challenged residents to come up with information regarding anyone with questionable characters, adding that such persons may be a robber.

    “Robbers are human beings like us and that information you are volunteering to security agencies may save a life or prevent the loss of valuables,” Babalola added.

    The DSS Director urged the community not to be afraid of robbers, but rather, they should always inform the security operatives on security and safety matters so that necessary actions can be taken.

    He advised youths to make good use of their time and eschew cultism.

    Earlier, the Executive Secretary Mr Olawumi Rasak Ajetunmobi said the meeting was put together to address the issues of insecurity and safety of lives and property in the area, saying the meeting became imperative because of the recent robbery incidents in the lkorodu/Ijede axis.

    The Executive Secretary reiterated that the meeting, which comprised community leaders, CDAs, youth groups, security operatives, market men and women, artisan groups and other stakeholders, will come up with recommendations aimed at fortifying the LCDA.

    He assured the community that the council would leave no stone unturned in implementing all resolutions arrived at, at the meeting.

    Describing security problems in the community as poor, he said there is the urgent need to gather the community leaders, CDC chairmen, youths, security operatives and all stakeholders for the meeting so that they can jointly address the issues.

    At the meeting, the establishment of a strong vigilance group that would work in concert with security operatives was canvassed. It would, among others, help monitor security and report any security breaches in the LCDA. This group is to be supported and managed by the police headquarters in Ijede community.

    An eye witness of the recent robbery at Lekki and the Medical Director of Ijede General Hospital Dr. Amure, who appealed to the state government to equip the Ijede Police headquarters with modern gadgets, alleged that they are shabbily and poorly equipped.

    He said his observation was that the robbers were better equipped, adding that the police weapons were no match to theirs. He also called on the government to provide more patrol vans and help maintain the existing vehicles and motor bikes for the police so that they can be more effective in the discharge of their duties.

    Calls were also made for the establishment of a banking forum for all the banking facilities within Ikorodu, so as to promote fast dissemination of information among the banks, such that in case of an attack in one bank, the other banks can quickly be contacted before they are attacked.

    The CDC chairman, Mr. Rotimi Owolabi urged the government to expedite action on all recommendations to avoid the closure of the few existing banks in the area as a result of continued insecurity.

    The community said a more meaningful relationship must be cultivated among all security agencies if riverside communities would have respite from incessant attacks by criminals. They called for such relationship among the Air Force, Police, Customs and the Marine Force in order to abate crime on the nation’s coastal areas and waterways.

    Highpoint of the event was the presentation of products produced by students of the council’s vocational centre, with a call by the Executive Secretary on members of the community to patronise the products.

    Products on display included after shave, bleach, hand wash, liquid soap and izal disinfectant.

    He encouraged the youth to register in the vocational centre in order to learn a skill to keep themselves busy.

    Dignitaries that attended the event were the Council Manager- Mr Adewumi Ogunbambi and other management staff of the LCDA, members of the caretaker committee: Mrs Shakirat Awosanya (Deputy Executive Secretary), Mr Moruf Hassan Enitan, Mr. Sunday Aro and Mrs Tokunbo Afolayan.

     

  • PMB and his security

    SIR: While  we  appreciate  the  doctrines  of  faith  and  fate,  we  must  also  understand  the  doctrine  of  necessity  because  Heaven  helps  those  who  help  themselves  and  where  there  is  a  will,  there  is  always  a  way.

    I  was  shocked  and  annoyed  that  despite  the  enormous  security  threat  in  the  country,  and  despite  being  a  target  before,  the  man  who  everyone  hopes  will  bring  forth  the  desired  national  sanity  was  left  carelessly  to  obvious  security  lapses.

    President Muhammadu  Buhari was  reported  in  almost  all  the  the  national  dailies  of  Saturday,  July  18,  to  have  fallen  to  a  vulnerable  security  situation  after  marking  the  end  of  the  Ramadan  fast  at  a  Mosque  in  Abuja.  While  his  believe  in  God  and  fate  since  the  beginning  of  his  public  service  life   is  evident  in  his  modest  life  style,  he  must  know  that  his  War  Against  Indiscipline  was  not  fought  by  angels  but  by  mortals;  it  was  not  also  fought  by  fate  but  by  vigour;  he  must  be  aware  that  though  destiny  has  a  place,  but  its  not  an  excuse  for  laxity,  and  he  must  also  know  that  being  a  man  in  white  trying  to  change  people  from  the  dirt  culture,  he  must  be  ready  to  undertake  the  needful  security  checks  and  alertness.

    The  President’s  security  retinue  must  never  again  be  carried  away  by  his  popularity  but  live up  to  the  expected  need  and accord  utmost  priority  of  protecting  him. The  case  of  former  Head of State, the late  General  Murtala  Mohammed  is  still  fresh  and  a  food  for  thought. John  F.  Kennedy  also.

    And  finally,  as  those  enthusiasts  continue  the  maniacal  chant  of  Sai  Buhari, the  General  and  his  security  details  must  know  that  not  all  the  glitters are  golden.  Remember  the  story  of  the  wooden  horse  of  Troy,  used  by  the  Greeks  to  trick  their  way  into  a  medieval   city  as  recorded  in  Virgil’s book,  Aaneid,  written between 29 and 19 BC:  “Do  not  trust  the  horse,  Trojans,  whatever  it  is.  I fear the Greeks even when they bring gifts”.

     

    • Akinola Iwilade,

    Owode,  Oyo.

     

  • Security Council: Ndigbo diminution

    Those who warned during electioneering that PMB was never enamoured of the Igbo nation would be laughing now as the Buhari canvass unfurls. Sixteen appointments so far and not one single Igbo man is good enough. No matter. But in picking the rump of Nigeria’s military and intelligence team for his government last Monday, not one Igbo man was found worthy of any of the positions.

    Consider the checklist: Chief of Defence Staff; Chief of Army Staff; Chief of Air Staff; Chief of Naval Staff; Chief of Defence Intelligence; Director of State Security and National Security Adviser. Not one Igbo man made it. If you add to those, Inspector General of Police; head of Customs and head of Immigration, you have an entire National Security Council with the Igbo nation excluded.

    This is clearly not an error and it is difficult to believe no Igbo man merits any of these strategic national appointments. In a situation that the Northeast has three of these positions; Northwest two; Northcentral two; Southwest two; Southsouth two and Southeast zero, speaks volumes about the mindset of our President. Where is federal character? Calculated injustice and inequity of this nature can only diminish a country.

  • Eid-el Fitr: IGP orders water-tight security nationwide

    Eid-el Fitr: IGP orders water-tight security nationwide

    In a bid to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebrations, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Solomon Arase has asked Command Commissioners of Police nationwide to ensure water-tight security during and after the celebrations.

    The police boss noted that during the celebration, special attention be paid to places of worship, critical public places and other vulnerable points prone to criminal attack.

    This is contained in a statement on Wednesday by the Force Spokesman, Emmanuel Ojukwu.

    The IGP, who complimented the Muslim faithfuls as they round off the Ramadan fast, enjoined them and other citizens to maintain utmost vigilance.

    He further urged all citizens to continue to support the Police and provide useful information towards preventing and discovering crimes and their perpetrators.

  • Security, democracy and the rule of law

    It  is a well  known dictum  in journalism that when  a dog  bites a man it is not news but when a man bites  a dog then it is news indeed. That was what came to my mind on hearing  and reading the news that the  new  Deputy Senate  President has criticized the Buhari  government for not doing enough  on  national  security  and expressed  great  concern that if  care  is not taken Boko  Haram may attack  Abuja and indeed  move down South to kill.  Just  as they have  been  doing in the North  East – a part of the nation that  the concerned senator confessed  as very  dear and close to his heart  because  of the scourge  of Boko  Haram  in the area.

    On  the surface the Deputy Senate  President – DSP – has expressed  a legitimate concern  and  a patriotic  one at that but  if you  agree  with  that then you  need  to be briefed  about certain issues hovering around the DSP  in  the last few days. Especially the fact  that the Police  have announced that he  may  be questioned by the Police over allegations contained in a petition  by aggrieved senators that senate rules  were  tampered  with in the controversial senate leadership elections  that  threw him up as the senate ‘s  DSP.

    Really  it is not that difficult  to decipher  or see through the subterfuge and ruse  inherent in the alarm raised  by the DSP on  Boko  Haram.  This is  because a pattern  has been set by the opposition  PDP  which  on hearing about the impending Police investigation warned  that nothing should happen  to its highest placed  party man in the senate. The party went on to accuse the  APC  government   of political witch  hunting of the DSP because  of the way  he was elected. Which  was  a situation to be expected by  the PDP  given the fact that the DSP  was  not a member  of the APC  which  has the majority in the senate  and is definitely aggrieved  that it has been swindled out of the position  of the DSP  and  no  one in his right senses  should  expect  the party  to be quiet  about  it. That  really  was  the genesis  of the heat the new  DSP  from  PDP  is  facing and I believe  that it is just the tip  of the iceberg.

    Again  no one is deceived  about  the timing of the alarm raised by the DSPand  the expected  or  anticipated outcome  of that. Once  the Police move against the DSP  the  PDP  will  predictably  cry  foul and  accuse  the government of political  victimization of  an  opposition legislator  forgetting very conveniently  that  this is a legislator  on a borrowed seat which  has become very  hot and uncomfortable  for  him. It  reminds  me of Shakespeare’s  Macbeth  where  it was said that Macbeth  had murdered  sleep  and would not sleep  again. Certainly  that is the plight  of the new  DSP  on  this matter.  Again  the legislator is learning fast  that those  who live  in  glass  houses  should  not throw  stones.

    Any way we need  to  look  at  the issues  raised  by the  DSP  closely  even though his locus and official position are both suspect  and of dubious origin right from the way  and manner of his election. There  is need  to step  up our  security apparatus  and arrangement  such  that Boko  Haram is eliminated as quickly  as possible  before it gets  bold enough to attack either Abuja and or Lagos.  That  really  is a grim  prospect  that must avoided  at  all costs  by  our security  forces  by all  the force  and  means at their  disposal. The  security  forces  should not send wrong  or chilling  signals that can  cause  panic or threaten  security  such as the plan to move Boko  Haram  prisoners  to the South  East. This  should be scuttled  so  as not to amplify the theatre  of war  or insurgency as  we now call our terrorism.

    In  addition state  governments should spend more on security even as they pay  workers  salaries  from the Buhari  Salary Bail  out.  A  situation where state  governor’s  collect  huge security  votes  while security  lapses create  avenues for  terrorists, arsonists and  hoodlums to exploit,  can  no longer be tolerated  in the pervading  insecure  environment  that the  Boko   Haram menace has created nation wide. In  Lagos  in particular  the  Ambode  government must  be commended  for the way it is handling  the issue  of tankers  going to so called  oil  farms  in  Apapa  and creating  the avoidable traffic gridlock  that has paralysed  many businesses  in Lagos  state. The  fire  accidents involving overturned  and overloaded trailers became frequent in Lagos and people were suspicious that they could be deliberate .So   it is good that the state governor has moved in and allayed fears on this as people started hearing strange rumours on Boko  Haram in Lagos as most of the tanker  drivers  were from the North.

    Nevertheless  the menace, violence and nuisance  of  Boko  Haram  should  not prevent  the Police  from  doing its duty on the  allegations  of forged  rules in the election to office of the senate  leadership  at the last  elections which  brought in the man  now  shouting wolf  on the prospect of Boko  Haram attacking  Abuja  or  invading the  South. That  is a premeditated diversion to prevent the Police from doing its duty as expected in a system where the rule of law  is the norm such as our own.  Indeed  I  have  no doubt in my mind that the Police are up  to the task. This  is because the Nigeria Police  has so many  lawyers  in its officer  cadre and they  are aware  that in a system of separation  of powers that we practice legislators  especially senators are not  above  the law.  The  ongoing trial of high profile former governors by the EFCC  resulting in the accused  being remanded  in prison  cells gives  credence that the Buhari  government will  live up  to  its billing  to  root  out  corruption in  our  midst  or make life uncomfortable for those who loot  our  treasuries  while  holding  public  office.

    Of  course  we know that our legislators are not above the law  and they know that too.  But  the last  leadership  elections in  legislature  showed clearly that something fishy  is going  on that  is a strange bedfellow to democracy as we know it and on which  basis we elected our representatives  and senators.  That  is why the Police  must be allowed  to do  it statutory  duty to ascertain the truth about the allegation  of false  senate rules being applied in the leadership  elections in the senate. The  allegations  are quite serious  and weighty and if found to  be true then  the culprits  must face the full weight of the law.  For  if those expected to make laws break  or manipulate the rules  of their election in our temple of  democracy then  there is no  hope for justice in our polity and that is a situation  that must  scuttled  and stopped by all means. We  expect  our Police  to take up this challenge as it falls fully  under its purview  and we have no doubt  that it will  ensure that the truth will  be extracted from the senate no matter whose  ox  is gored. That  for now is the only way to save our democracy  and  ensure that security  and the rule of law are not mutually exclusive and  indeed go hand in hand.

  • ‘Consider traditional rulers in security matters’

    ‘Consider traditional rulers in security matters’

    Prominent Yoruba culture activist Aare Latosa of Ibadanland Adegboyega Mabinuori has blamed the increasing spate of crimes in the country on failure of leaders to provide adequate security for the people.  He stated that Yoruba culture gives room for peaceful co-existence of people in the society because the norms and traditions of human existence in the race do not encourage any form of criminality or vices.

    He decried the spate of kidnapping, robbery, killing and corruption in the society, noting that these vices thrive due to the neglect of tradition and proliferation of foreign culture, religious beliefs and style of living. “Nobody dare use ogun or sango to swear and do evil, such person won’t escape it none of our deities harbour evil or criminality,” he said.

    Mabinuori spoke at this year’s Ibudo Asa Adulawo cultural event organised by The Centre for African Culture and Tradition held last week at the National Museum, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The two-day event, which had as theme Culture and Tradition a Panacea for an Effective National Security, is a unique cultural event, which sought to promote and further enhance the effective usage of Yoruba culture and tradition in solving the nation’s problems, particularly security issues, which are threatening the unity and stability of the country.

    He called for strict adherence to culture and tradition as practised by the ancestors in order to live long and enjoy peaceful atmosphere devoid of any form of criminality, which he said, can  be achieved. “The potency of Yoruba deities and gods cannot be doubted and we have to go back to the roots so as to enjoy a better society,” he added.

    He, however, urged federal and state governments to incorporate community leaders and traditional rulers in the security affairs of the nation as ‘these people are closer to the people, know what goes around and it is easy for them to easily identify strangers and invaders. If every community is secured, the nation’s security will be guaranteed.’

    Assistant Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Mr. P O Shomide said that in order for a country or community to be effectively secured her culture and traditions must be understood, respected and sustained.

    “People generally are nation’s assets which ensure their own national security depending on commitments to collective sense of being and understanding. Culture and tradition, therefore, cannot be jettisoned in view of desired national security,” he added.

    The curator National Museum, Ibadan Elder Amos Olorunnipa said the role of Yoruba tradition and culture in securing the society and maintaining a peaceful society is great. “In the olden days our society was peaceful because of the effective usage and respect for tradition but it is unfortunate now that we have lost most of these things. We are in this situation of insecurity as a result of neglect of culture and tradition,” he said.

     

    Continuing, she said: “Today here are people who even hide under Yoruba culture and tradition to swindle, dupe members of the society, do evil and engage in criminality. All this need to be checked and I want to use this medium to appeal to our leaders and proponent of tradition and culture to please. Identify and stop the nefarious activities of people in that categories”.

    Olorunipa also stressed on the need for the organisation and museum to have a working relationship that will ensure proper research and documentation of historical facts and records for the promotion and advancement of Yoruba culture.

    The chairman planning committee of the event Asiwaju Akinade Nurudeen said that the choice of the topic is appropriate and ‘if the submission of the speakers were considered it would do our country a whole lot of good and enhance a functional and peaceful society.

    Highlights of the event included the crowning of Omidan Asa 2015, conferment of Cultural Ambassador Award on Ibadan-based Fuji musician Taiye Adebisi popularly known as Taiye Currency and cultural display from Ijala chanters, Ewi exponents, snake charmers and beauty peagants.

  • I‘ll strengthen security in Lagos

    The new Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni has said that he will see the structure on ground to know how to improve security.

    He promised to keep Lagosians sleep with eyes closed.

    Owoseni said this promise while taking over from Kayode Aderanti at the Police command headquarter, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos yesterday.

    He hailed Aderanti for a job well done.

    He appealed to journalist on the importance of their inputs on how they the command could re-strategise.

    “Feel free to come to me, I will operate open door policy,” he said.

    He said he and Aderanti are brothers and had attended foreign mission together.

    Handing over to Owoseni, Aderanti expressed optimism that Lagos will be better under Owoseni.

    “As I step out and he step in; he can also crack crime even with greater vigour; he will not allow criminals to be on the loose. He has finest officers on ground to work with. Lagos is important that we should do everything possible not to destroy it.

    Nobody commits crime in Lagos and get away with it. It may be long but he must be caught,” he said.