International Peace Day; Bello blames insecurity on Compromise by Elites.
ATABOR JULIUS LOKOJA.
Kogi state governor Yahaya Bello has attributed the increase in banditry and kidnapping in some parts of the country to compromise by some individuals across the country.
Governor Bello stated this on Tuesday in Lokoja to mark 2021 International Peace Day Organised by Actionaid Nigeria in collaboration with Participation Initiative for Behavioral Change in Development, (PIBCID), with funding from Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund GCERF with the theme: “Recovery better for an equitable and sustainable world”
The governor who declared the state as the most peaceful state in Nigeria, vowed not allow to criminal to operate in the state saying peace is the catalyst national development.
Bello, who was represented by his Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development Mr Idris Musa appreciated Actionaid and PIBCID for their roles in promoting peace in the state hinting that his administration is committed to protecting lives and properties of the citizenry.
” My achievement in term of security is second to none in this country. Our people have continued to sleep with their two eyes closed. No doubt kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry is now business in some parts of the country, why because some people have compromised and they are not willing to fish out bad eggs from their communities.
“But it is not so here. We are committed to safety of our people. Criminals should stay away from Kogi State. Any one caught will be made to face the full wrath of the law.” He declared.
Earlier, Actionaid Nigeria County Director, Mrs Ene Obi who was represented by Mr Adewale
Adedotun urged Kogi State government to sustain the gains they have recorded in promoting peaceful coexistence in the state.
In her remarks, the executive director participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development, (PIBCID), Halima Oiza Sadiq admonished youths in the state to show love and shun violence stressing that “we should not agonise but organise our State”.
On her part, the Kogi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Kabir Buba lauded Actionaid Nigeria for her immense contribution towards promoting peace in the state.
She assured that her ministry will leave no stone unturned to join in the campaign in promoting peace adding that despite the negative report of security lapses in other parts of the country, Kogi State has continued to take the lead for peace in Nigeria.
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly.
