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From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
The Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Major-General John Ochai, has charged Nigerians to collaborate with the military and other security agencies to tackle the nation’s security challenges.
Ochai, who remarked that the fight against insecurity should not be seen as the sole responsibility of the military and other security agencies, urged Nigerians to be part of the crusade by providing timely and useful information to security agencies to nip the security situation in the bud.
He gave the charge while responding to questions from newsmen shortly after delivering a lecture at the 4th edition of the Aare Afe Babalola Distinguished Personality Lecture Series (DPLS), entitled, “Insecurity, Leadership, and Peace Building in Nigeria: Dynamics and Challenges,” held at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) campus, on Thursday in Ado-Ekiti, the capital of Ekiti State.
According to him, “To address insecurity requires the role of the society. The military, the government, civil society organizations, educational institutions, all security agencies, and even individual citizens. It is the responsibility of every citizen to pass information to security agencies and also the responsibility of every citizen to focus on national development.”
On whether there is hope that the nation will combat the security challenges bedevilling it, the NDA Commandant said the President Tinubu administration has put in place measures to address the security challenges in the country.
“There are hopes and prospects to tackle the nation’s security challenges. There are some strategic initiatives from the current government addressing the issue of insecurity. For instance, the police have received more funding. There are more budgetary allocations, and there is an ongoing reform of the Nigerian police and security sector.
“There are lots of legal issues that are also being raised. Like the issue of state police, it is still being debated and the issue is with the National Assembly. So, when that law is passed and sub-national levels can clear more ruling in the security sub-sector, it will enhance the general security of the nation.
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“Secondly, the tax system, once the tax bill is passed, everybody will pay his tax worth and it will go a long way in addressing inequality in the system. It will go a long way in increasing government revenue and it will also go a long way in diverting private funds into the process of national development. So, it will be better off for the society, better for government, and better for the nation in general. So, it is a win-win situation that those strategic decisions are leading us to.”
Ochai commended the founder and Chancellor of ABUAD, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), for his contributions to nation-building, calling on other entrepreneurs to emulate Babalola.
“Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, is the light of the educational sector of our dear nation. The university is a shining light. Aare Afe Babalola has carved a niche for himself in education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and environmental sustainability. Other entrepreneurs should follow in that line by giving back to society what nature has gifted them.
“He did it through dint of hard work, focus, and charity. We should have more charitable individuals who will contribute to the development of their societies, thereby creating employment, creating wealth, educating the teeming youth population, and also providing healthcare services. These are what are needed to develop our society and keep our youths away from crimes and other acts that are inimical to the well-being and development of our society.”
In his address, Aare Afe Babalola commended the uncommon discipline and orderliness in the military, saying he was surprised in 2016 when he was conferred with the honorary Doctor of Letters (D. Lit) by the Nigerian Defence Academy, during which the hall where the event was held was not only perfectly quiet but also that nobody dared leave his or her seat throughout the duration of the event.
“For me, the military today is the most disciplined institution in this country. The problem we have today in Nigeria is nothing other than a lack of discipline. And this is right from leadership to the followership. How can there be security, leadership, and peace when there is no order?” he queried.
“To me, that event at the NDA was the peak of orderliness and discipline. Before that day, I had believed that my university was the epitome of order, orderliness, and discipline, such that some are even saying ABUAD is more of a military institution. But with what I saw that day at NDA, I gave, and still give kudos to the military for its discipline.”
The Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, who is the chairman of the occasion, said that putting the right people in positions of authority is one of the solutions to the country’s problem.
