Thursday, June 4, 2026

The Sun Nigeria

Defence Minister, former Senate president, Arewa Think Tank praise Tinubu’s efforts to combat insecurity

Arewa

From Noah Ebije, Kaduna

Key Nigerian leaders, including Defence Minister, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, former Senate President, Pius Anyim Pius, and Arewa Think Tank Convener Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, have commended President Bola Tinubu’s administration for its determination to end insecurity in the country.

Speaking at a public lecture organized by Arewa Think Tank to commemorate Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary, Abubakar noted that insecurity has reduced in the North, citing examples of farmers returning to their farms in Birnin Gwari and reduced attacks along major highways.

Pius praised Tinubu’s government for engaging citizens and promoting accountability, while Yakubu asserted that Nigeria is not a failed state and that Tinubu’s reforms will drive economic growth.

The leaders’ comments came amid ongoing security challenges in Nigeria, including Boko Haram insurgency and banditry.

According to the Defence Minister, “We from the North have been telling our people that President Bola Tinubu has been part and parcel of us. I have been walking into his bedroom while Lagosians keep waiting for him until he comes out of the bedroom. He is a man of respect and honour. He is truly Asiwaju of Nigeria, and his handshake cuts across the country. This government is our government. Asiwaju is our man. Today banditry attacks have reduced in the North, especially most of us from Kaduna State can bear me witness that farmers have returned to the farms in Birnin Gwari, people can now go to the market in Birnin Gwari. No longer attack along Zaria-Funtua-Gusau. I can go on and on and on. We are not saying that insecurity is over, but we are almost there”.

He said: “I want to say that whatever it takes and where in life it takes to celebrate Nigeria, I will be there, I will be part of it, and I will be proud of it. This event is to further citizens’ engagement with the government on key government policies and policies, programs, and activities. It may be needful to emphasize that the policies, programs, and activities of President Tinubu Bola’s administration is captured under the Renewed Hope Agenda. The Renewed Hope Agenda can therefore be described as the totality of all policies and programs of President Bola’s administration.

“I must say at this point that the government’s engagement is fundamental to the success of every policy and program of the government. It is through this process that the government can secure the binding and understanding of the citizens in order for the citizens to truly survive.

“I support such programs and therefore commend this initiative as one way to strengthen our democracy and stabilize our politics. I must therefore add that it is only an accountable government that engages the community. If the President and his base government at the federal level and even at the state level were not sure of what they were doing, they would not be reluctant or forward to give account of their devotion to the people.

“This is a government engagement. It is federal to ensure that the government and the people are in tandem and understand each other to make sure that the policies and programs are accepted.

In his own address, the convener of the one day summit, and founder of the Arewa Think Tank, Mohammed Alhaji Yakubu posited that despite the challenges facing the country Nigeria is not a failed state. According to him the tough reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu are intended to put the nation on the path of economic growth, saying, “Tinubu is that man that will take the country to the Promised Land.

Yakubu asserted that what we are witnessing today is physical discipline on our economy and given enough time the impact of the reforms especially in agriculture, oil will have a direct impact on the people and farmers.

“As we celebrate our independence anniversary we have to remain vigilant on the recent veil attempt by the enemies of the country to draw us back. Despite our challenges, Nigeria is not a failed state.”