By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State administration has succeeded in providing adequate security in the state by enhancing citizens’ involvement in the fight against insecurity.
According to Governor Bello, the young administration observed that the state was confronted with several security challenges prior to his assumption of office as governor in 2015.
He spoke through his Senior Special Adviser on Security, Retired Commander Jerry Omodara at the Special Investiture of the Governor as the Patron of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria, CRAN in Lagos.
He said government collaborated with the people, security agencies to ensure adequate security in their communities.
According to him, some of the measures taken by government to tackle insecurity include clearing of highway bushes, equipping security agencies, engagement of youths in vigilance groups and incorporation of hunters into anti-kidnapping squad.
He noted that his administration also involved citizens in the fight against insecurity through involvement of local government chairmen and traditional rulers in the security arrangement of the state.
Speaking at the event, National President of Nigeria Union Journalists, NUJ, Chris Isiguzo warned politicians against politics of destruction ahead of the twenty-twenty-three general elections.
According to him, those bent on undermining winning strategies to score political points should not play with the lives of Nigerians.
Isiguzo said Bello was doing wonderfully well in the area of security, stressing that politicians should not undermine his strategy all in the name of politics.
He said the honour for Bello as the patron of CRAN was very apt, noting that he had brought the political touch to clean up the security system.
President, Nigerian Guild of Editors, NGE, Mustapha Isa said politics must not be mixed with the issue of security. When we talk about the security challenges in the country, some governors join us in lamenting, they run to Abuja looking for support.
He commended CRAN for recognising Bello for the investiture as the first governor to be made CRAN patron, describing it as the best choice.
CRAN President, Sunday Odita explained that Bello was chosen as one of the association’s patrons because he attached so much importance to security in his state.
Odital said the honour for Bello was to show appreciation to him for being the first governor in Nigeria to train crime reporters and also empowered them to perform their roles better.
He noted that from reports around the country, Kogi remained the safest in the North , and one of the safest today in Nigeria, owing to the sound security strategies of the governor.
