Ramadan Lecture: Olowu Urges Nigerians to Imbibe Spirit of Giving in Order To Stem the Tide of Insecurity
Nigerians have been told to embrace the spirit of giving and assisting
the less priviledge in order to reduce the crime rate in the country.
The Olowu of Owu Abeokuta, Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola said this while
speaking at the annual Ramadan lecture organized by National Merit, Business Trust and Newsforum Newspapers held in Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.
Oba Matemilola said lack of support for the less priviledge may aggravate the level of insecurity in the country, calling on Nigerians to help security agencies in tackling insecurity
The foremost traditional ruler in Egbaland also called for concerted
efforts by all relevant stakeholders to complement the security agencies in their quest to rid the nation of insecurity.
Oba Matemilola commended the commitment of the security agencies to
end terrorism, banditry and other criminal acts in the country saying
that if Nigerians show acts of benevolence to their fellow countrymen,
there may not be any need to overstretching the law enforcement
agencies
While particularly acknowledging the Nigerian Army and other security
agencies’ effort in fighting Boko Haram in the North-East and other parts of Nigeria, the monarch believes more can still be achieved with the support of Nigerians.
Oba Matemilola who while expressing concern over insecurity, rising
poverty and socio-economic problems confronting Nigeria said the show
of mercy to young ones and giving to the needy may discourage young
ones from going into crime.
Oba Matemilola, said the fact that these problems were left to linger
for too long without being addressed is cause for worry, stressing the
need for Nigeria to take strict actions in solving its problems as the nation has competent people that could proffer solutions to its challenges.
“The challenges bedevilling the country require commitment and proactive steps to address them. These challenges have unfortunately been on the increase because necessary steps and commitment to implement solutions identified are not taken,” he said.
He urged Muslim clerics to preach according to Islamic provisions as
enshrined in the Holy Quran.
In his lecture titled, “Nation Building And Insecurity: Time to Act Right”, the Guest lecturer, Dr. Oloyede Oyediran of Crescent
University, Abeokuta averred that the menace of insecurity has grown so badly in Nigeria that it manifest almost on daily basis.
He said that the spread of insecurity across the geopolitical zone is
worrisome. From the Boko haram sect insurgency in the north-east, the
solid minerals scrambles in Zamfara, the cattle rustlers and kidnappers in other parts of the north west to the agitation of the minority group in Kaduna, Plateau, Benue and Taraba, the resource
control and oil derivation revenue agitation in the South South, the
secession agitation of the indigenous people of Biafra in the South
East and even to the restructuring calls by the people of the South West.
He said, “No part of the entire nation is spared of the challenge. More worrisome is the involvement of the children who are considered to be the future of the nation.
“It will therefore take the prediction of a prophet, whose for-tel has never failed, to assure us that we can sleep with Our two eyes closed in assurance of security in our respective villages.
He opined that the Nation building can not co-exist with insecuirity except concerted efforts are made in fighting the challenges of insecurity in the country.
He said skill acquisition, good judicial system, and giving to the needy can be some major factors to reduce insecurity in the country.
“On Judicial system which targets justice, Allah said in the Quran that we should do justice is the closest to piety. In fact , this prescription is preceded by the commandment that we should not allow our hatred for a particular set of people to hinder our being fair or
just to them. It is also a component of justice to execute judgment against those who have been convicted. It serves deterrence purpose and prevent further commission of insecurity.
In his welcome address, the Publisher of the National Merit Newspaper,
Amona Tajudeen Oladeinde said the lecture was put together in order to
chart a new agenda for the incoming administration in Nigeria.
He said the programme and the lecture was part of the contribution of
the three newspapers in finding a lasting solution to the level of insecurity bedeviling the country
Part of those who attended the lecture were the Olowu of Owu Kingdom,
Oba Prof. Saka Matemilola, The Chief Imam of Egbaland, all the four
Imams from the four sections of Egba and other eminent personalities
across the State.
