From Agaju Madugba, Katsina
Deputy Senate President, Senator Barau Jibrin, has identified the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) as veritable tool to tackle the seeming intractable issue of insecurity in the country.
“Solution to the nation’s insecurity challenges lies in science and technology such as the use of satellite technology to monitor activities of criminals,” Jibrin said on Friday evening in a pre- convocation lecture at the Federal University, Dutsinma (FUDMA), Katsina State.
According to him, the role of ICT in tackling crime cannot be overemphasized, “going by modern tactics deployed in many parts of the world to tackle crimes.”
He also advocated integrating themes of tolerance, empathy, cooperate dialogue, human rights and citizenship duties in the nation’s educational curricula.
Topic of the lecture was, “Harnessing the power of education, technology and innovation in tackling insecurity.”
According to Jibrin, “furthermore, appropriate value reorientation, improved access to opportunities and specialised training and skills acquisition through a re-engineered are imperative.
“With visionary leadership, multi-stakeholder partnerships and citizens’ action, the tide of violence can be progressively reversed to build Nigeria’s peace infrastructure at the grassroots.
“National rebirth is imperative to foster a security architecture reflecting shared identity, inclusiveness, social justice and prosperity for all Nigerian communities.
“The Legislature has to continue to fill gaps in our legal framework to stem perceptions of exclusion, marginalisation and impunity among the population.
“There is also the need to pursue security sector reforms and drive investments in socio-economic opportunities for distressed communities especially in the northwest geopolitical zone.
“Nigeria’s security challenges are enormous though surmountable. Innovative domestic and regional interventions can dismantle the lethal web of intersecting threats facing the security of our nation.
“The Senate, through its committee on ICT and Cyber Crime, has been regulating activities of the NITDA and the NCC to ensure efficiency and transparency.”
In his remarks at the programme, FUDMA Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Hamisu Bichi, lauded Federal Government’s efforts in addressing insecurity challenges in the country and called on support from all stakeholders towards evolving a more secure nation.