By; OLADELE ADEDAYO, Ado-Ekiti
Worried by the rising insecurity challenges threatening the corporate existence of the Nigeria nation, the Senate President, Senator Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Farouq Yahaya, have called on Nigerians to support the federal government in the fight against bandits and terrorists.
The top government functionaries urged Nigerians to perceive security as a collective battle rather than sectional.
The duo spoke on Saturday in Iyin-Ekiti, when the Senate President was being conferred with chieftaincy title of Akorewolu of Iyin-Ekiti by Oluyin, Oba Adeola Adeniyi Ajakaye.
Lawan, who represents Yobe North, was in the town in company of some Senators, including the Federal Lawmaker representing Ekiti Central Senatorial District, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, who donated a coaster bus to the Oluyin- in- Council.
Lawan, who thanked the traditional ruler for the honour, said: “The Ninth Senate has done what we need to do to make Nigeria great. Our leaders who set a vision for the country came from different constititucues,backgrounds , religious inclinations,but they had a vision that Nigeria should be best in Africa .
” Challenges were faced, but those leaders dealt with some of them and subdued them. Other subsequent leaders also had a vision to make Nigeria a country that will be progressive,develop.
“Today, we are facing some challenges. like our former leaders used to do, we are also dealing with these challenges. The present Senate is dealing with the challenges facing the country despite our political and religious differences.
“Now, we are facing security challenges all over the country. Political, religious and traditional leaders must come together. Whether the problem is predominant in the Northwest or Northeast or Southwest or East, all hands must be on the deck to resolve all these challenges.
“As a matter of urgency, we should come together as a people and deal with these challenges, most of them if not all of them and make Nigeria a great country. No part of Nigeria can entirely face the problems facing the country and tackle them all”.
Lawan described Bamidele as a reliable politician, who values integrity, propriety, professionalism and development of the country, especially Ekiti State.
“Senate had passed a bill establishing Medical university here in Iyin Ekiti through a bill sponsored by Senator Bamidele. I will make sure I lobby President Muhammadu Buhari to assent to the bill so that the university can take off in time”.
Also Speaking about the dreaded insecurity situation facing Nigeria, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Farouq Yahaya, said the Nigerian Army is working tirelessly to secure the nation by containing the activities of terrorists and bandits, killing and kidnapping the citizens, thereby subjecting the nation to unnecessary chaos and panic.
“The Armed Forces are doing their best to secure the nation and we will continue in the task of making Nigeria free from this present situation.
“Security is a business of everybody, all stakeholders , particularly the community leaders. It is the responsibility of every Nigerian. We appeal to Nigerians to join us in the task of securing the nation .
“We are ready to work with other sister agencies to secure our nation. We are also tapping from the experiences of those that had served before us in the Armed Forces to guide us in my present task of securing the nation”, Yahaya said.
While addressing his constotuents, the Senator representing Ekiti Central, Opeyemi Bamidele, said he would continue to work hard to attract dividends of democracy to Ekiti State.
Bamidele applauded the leadership of the Senate for the glowing passion to bring development to all the 109 Senatorial districts across the nation.
