Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde has called on the Muslim Ummah to embrace continuous engagements with the government with a view to enhancing good governance.
He stated this at the 6th General Assembly of Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria, MUSWEN held at Islamic, University of Ibadan Central Mosque Complex.
Engr Makinde who was represented by his Special Assistant on Islamic Affairs, Alhaji AbdRasheed AbdAzeez while speaking with newsmen after the programme said continuous engagements of the Muslim Ummah with the government would foster mutual understanding to enhance peaceful coexistence.
Governor Makinde who hammered on the unity of Nigeria also called on the people to make use of the slogan “if you see something, say something” as this would enhance the safety of lives and property.
The guest speaker, Retired Commissioner of Police, Dr. Yinka Balogun while speaking on the theme ” Insecurity in Nigeria: Effects on Human Psyche” attributed insecurity to weak structure and incapability of the government in guaranteeing decent society, good education, and youth mobilization.
Dr. Balogun also identified corrupt practices which have become norms in the country and the widening gap that exists between the rich and the poor as the bane of the country’s secure sovereign state.
“Causes of insecurity are a weak and capable government that cannot guarantee the genuine expectations of a decent society such as freedom from poverty, good education, youth mobilization and provision of other necessary conditions of good living”
Beyond rhetorics, Dr. Balogun insisted that it is time to rise and challenge people in authority to act the right way.
“Time to rise and ask people in authority to do the needful, enough of discussions and conferences – Rise and instruct the capable– President, Governor, IGP, Senators Representatives to do what is right for the people. There is insecurity in the land – Please rise and make corrections”
Dr. Balogun argued against the amnesty given to those who deliberately killed and maimed innocent ones saying giving them pardon is against Allah’s injunctions.
He charged the government to be responsible for the insecurity in the country and profer lasting solutions.
In a remark, a member of the Board of Trustees of MUSWEN, Alhajj Kunle Sanni observed that securing Nigeria should be the job of everyone.
Alhaji Sanni noted that the security operatives cannot be present everywhere and charged the people to provide support to rid the country of unrest.
“Chief of Army Staff, Inspector General of Police and all the service chiefs cannot be everywhere and these criminals live among us, So we are concerned about the security situation in the country, we should give the intelligent report to the security agencies.
“I am not suggesting that Nigerian carry guns, if we are saying that we should carry guns, we are escalating the tentacles of violence. So, I will not subscribe to the call that everyone should carry guns. Every Nigerian should see himself as part of those who want to see the end of the ugly insurrection”.
Alhaji Sanni, therefore, advocated citizens’ involvement as a necessity so as to provide necessary information to the security agencies to assist in combating insecurity.
Earlier, the President of MUSWEN, Alhaji Rasaki Oladejo had re-emphasized the importance of empowerment of the downtrodden in order to check restiveness in the country.
He noted that restiveness is hinged on poverty and lack of basic necessity calling on the government to tackle the challenge headlong.
Alhaji Oladejo explained that as a way of empowering the Nigerian indigent students, the Ummah has consistently developed the capacity of poor but willing students in Nigerian higher institutions.
“As we all know, education is the master key with which to open the locked door. That is why MUSWEN is now thinking of reopening the gate of scholarship and even bursary for some of our indigent students.”
Alhajji Oladejo recalled that in the last 13 years that the MUSWEN has been established, it has provided rallying support for the Muslims in the southwestern states in terms of unity and empowerment opportunities.
He announced to the General Assembly the demise of the Legal judicial juggernaut and former Acting President of MUSWEN, Justice Bola Babalakin (rtd) who died on Saturday, December 4, 2021, praying Allah to have mercy on the deceased.
