Group Charges FG To Overhaul Economic Policy; Deploy Intellectual Advocacy To Stem Insecurity

Posted by African Examiner African News, Featured, Latest Headlines, News, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Monday, August 30th, 2021

By Tajudeen Balogun

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Federal Government has again been charged to overhaul the national economic policy and deploy moral education, religious persuasion, as well as intellectual advocacy, as tools for an accelerated economic growth and to “guarantee a secured, safe and substantially-crime free society”.

This call was made in a communiqué issued Sunday, by the Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and the professions, at the close of its biennial elective National conference held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, south west Nigeria.

The three-day conference which had as its theme: “Forging a Cohesive Country Amidst Existential Threats of Insecurity and Poverty”, identified a nexus between poverty and insecurity in Nigeria, therefore called on FG to urgently review its economic programmes and emphasize on their effective implementation.

The communiqué declared that the “materialistic tendency’’ and “quick rich syndrome” among the Nigerian youths have exposed the moral decadence in the country, as there is currently widespread incidence of banditry, kidnappings, ritual killings and various violent crimes in various parts of Nigeria.

Following this dangerous trend, the Companion recommended moral education, religious persuasion and intellectual advocacy as instruments for social re-orientation to stem the insecurity challenge.

The communiqué which was jointly signed by the new National Amir of the organization, Engr. Kamil Olalekan and Chairman of the conference planning committee, Alhaji Layi Baruwa, confirmed that there was synergy among the various security agencies, as well as community engagement and partnership, to guarantee a substantially-crime free society.

The conference also proffered that the security architecture of Nigeria requires “constant review, with respect to operational policies, funding, monitoring and intelligence gathering”.

The organization noted that food security is imperative and germane for a cohesive and virile nation, adding that all issues relating to kidnapping and killing of farmers and other stakeholders in the agricultural sector should be put in the front burner by the government at all levels.

In the same vein, the Companion called on Nigeria’s Leadership at all levels, to be more focused, disciplined and accountable, so as to resolve the challenge of mistrust between it and the followers.

The group, in view of the emerging global security challenges, especially the problems of cyber security, internet scams and other related crimes currently facing the country the security, tasked the law enforcement agencies to set up cutting-edge technologies to track, apprehend, prosecute and punish all cyber crimes suspects in line with the extant Laws.

The Companion reiterated its call on the various levels of government “to implement economic policies and programmes that will lead to inclusive growth, reduction of poverty and youth underemployment/unemployment in line with the Sustainable Development Goals – SDGs”.

This, it restated, will go a long way in curbing the insecurity challenges facing the country.

The theme of the elective conference was discussed by erudite personalities, from the public sector. They included the Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde on Economic Affairs, Prof. Musibau Babatunde; the Dean, Faculty of Arts, University of Ibadan, UI, Prof. Abdul Afis Oladosu and Head, Homicide Section, FCID Annex, Alagbon, Ikoyi, Lagos, DCP S.O. Akinfenwa.

Other prominent personalities at the conference were the wife of Oyo State Deputy Governor, Prof. Bolanle Olaniyan, among others.

In his welcome address at the event, the immediate past National Amir of the group, Alhaji Thabit Adewale Sonaike called on the government at all levels to adopt an intellectual approach, as well as take proactive measures that would reduce tension and threats to peace and security in the country.

“Repressive tendencies and military solutions in all cases may not be the best panacea, but enunciate and deliberately implement policies, devoid of rhetoric that will promote social justice, equity, fairness and reduce poverty through provision of more basic infrastructure and services, as well as greater investment on human development, especially in the areas of education; shelter and social services, including strict enforcement of arms and ammunitions control Laws”, Alhaji Sonaike said.

Meanwhile, the organization has elected and sworn-in new National Executive Council members. The new officers include: Engr. Kamil Olalekan from (Kwara District) – National Amir; Imam Nojeem Jimoh (Lagos District) – National Naibul Amir; Mr. Abdul Kadiri Ibraheem (Kwara District) – Secretary General and Mr. Abdul Kabir Lawal (Oyo District) – Assistant Secretary.

Others are: Alhaji Tajudeen Saibu (Kwara District) – National Treasurer; Mr. Abdul Azeez Momoh (Lagos District) – National Financial Secretary; Alhaji Muhideen Adeleke (Osun District)– Public Affairs Secretary; Alhaji Misbaudeen Alabi (Oyo District) – National Internal Auditor and Mr. Fatai Femi Muhammed (Abuja District) – National Welfare Secretary.