*Photo: CP Balogun *
“Insecurity, the retired CP established, creates fear in people, provokes tension, prompts breakdown of law and order, all of which paving the way for a full blown restiveness.”
A retired Commissioner of Police, Olayinka Bashir Balogun has said insecurity currently ravaging different parts of the country can be effectively resolved through development and consolidation of democratic culture, strong and capable public institutions.
Other prescriptions he gave are a strong and just economic space, including job and food security; Implementation of universal and compulsory basic education with relevant curricular, globally competitive and comparable standards in the public and private educational institutions; Credible, effective and efficient systems of governance at all levels.
The Shield Online reports that CP Balogun spoke in a lecture titled “Insecurity challenges in Nigeria: Genesis, Consequences and Panacea”, which he delivered on Sunday, October 9,2022 at the Elective Conference of the Lagos District of The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and the professions.
The retired Commissioner of Police said insecurity is rooted in the way a society organizes its economic and political system, as well as the distribution of socio-political and economic benefits among the people.
Similarly, he juxtaposed security and insecurity, saying that the two can be determined through the relationships between the government and populace, with respect to economic and political structures.
Read more in the communique below:
*TEXT OF COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE COMPANION, LAGOS DISTRICT BIENNIAL ELECTIVE CONFERENCE HELD SUNDAY, OCTOBER 09, 2022 (RABIUL AWWAL 13, 1444AH), AT SHAMUSUDEEN CENTRAL MOSQUE HALL, OLD SECRETARIAT, IKEJA*
*Preamble*
The Companion, an association of Muslim men in business and the Professions biennial Elective Conference usually holds at the end of two years’ tenure of every executive council at District level. The first part traditionally features lecture presentation on topical issues. The second session features presentation of stewardship and financial reports. Most remarkably, the Elective Conference signals the end of tenure of an executive council, as well as heralds a new cabinet as another set of executives are elected, unveiled and sworn-in into offices.
1 This year’s Elective Conference theme was: “Addressing Issues of Insecurity Challenges in Nigeria” while the lecture was titled: “Insecurity challenges in Nigeria: Genesis, Consequences and Panacea”. A retired Commissioner of Police, CP Olayinka Bashir Balogun dealt with the topic, while one of the founding fathers of The Companion, Alhaji Jumah Alli Oluwafuyi presided over, as the Chairman of the lecture segment of the Conference.
2 In the lecture, CP Balogun established that insecurity breeds many vices and crimes, such as armed robbery, kidnapping and lately, terrorism and suicidal attacks. On the other hand, he asserted that in a modern society, security means development, and not necessarily restricted to military force or traditional military activities. Security in the contemporary world, he restated, implies development and without it, there cannot be advancement.
3 Basically, CP Balogun related that insecurity is rooted in the way a society organizes its economic and political system, as well as the distribution of socio-political and economic benefits among the people. Similarly, he juxtaposed security and insecurity, saying that the two can be determined through the relationships between the government and populace, with respect to economic and political structures.
4 Specifically, the challenges of insecurity from governance angle, CP Balogun submitted, emanate from a weak and incompetent government; Breakdown of traditional institutions, such as due and adequate parental care, broken marriages, which results to single parenthood, child labour and poor parenting; Impunity and perverted role model, resulting to false and unrealistic social and economic expectations; Misconception and misunderstanding of role models; Ostentatious and flamboyant life style; Acrimonious political culture, which breeds hatred and corruption among others.
5 Insecurity, the retired CP established, creates fear in people, provokes tension, prompts breakdown of law and order, all of which paving the way for a full blown restiveness. Negative perception of citizens and country in general, within international circle, as well as image crisis he added, constitute parts of the effects of insecurity in Nigeria. Insecurity, he affirmed, affects working hours and disrupts economic activities, citing many bloody herders and farmers clashes, in some parts of the country, especially in the North Central and South Western geo-political zones.
6 On solutions to insecurity, CP Balogun, while citing references from the Quran and traditions of the Prophet, related that the Islamic basic panacea include: love and tolerance. He specified that if neighbours operate under the strict Islamic “pact” – which enshrines “mutual benefit”, this will subsequently lead to peaceful coexistence, then, peace could have been guaranteed in the family, communities, cities, nations and globally.
7 On Boko Haram, CP Balogun declared that education is fundamental and the appellation, (Boko Haram) especially its meaning and heinous acts it is known for, have no link with Islam and do not exist in the religion. He further stressed that Islam and the Islamic world cannot exist in isolation, just as the faithful are part and parcel of the society, hence, whatever that will resolve any societal problem in an Islamic State, should be able to resolve the same in the other world.
8 Insecurity, CP Balogun proffered can be effectively resolved through development and consolidation of democratic culture, strong and capable public institutions; A strong and just economic space including job and food security; Implementation of universal and compulsory basic education with relevant curricular, globally competitive and comparable standards in the public and private educational institutions; Credible, effective and efficient systems of governance at all levels, among others.
9 While noting that the war against Boko-Haram is a collective one for all Muslims, CP Balogun appealed to mass media, especially those either purposely or ignorantly use description “the Islamic sect” to describe terrorists – who can at the least, be described as “lunatics”, to desist from the practice, urging Muslims to collectively reject terrorists who disguise with Islamic emblems. He tasked the faithful to always express resentment, disdain and total abhorrence against the evil men and their uncivilized conducts.
10 Taking the point home, CP Balogun spoke on “Victimology” concept and its relevance to insecurity. The term, he mentioned, is a coinage adapted by Criminologists in an attempt to establish the fault of a victim to the crime committed against him or her. He added that it is a “device used to discourage a person from attracting crime or insecurity to himself or to his environment. These are; unnecessary flamboyance, exposure and general behaviour that can attract attention to oneself. Dresses, (vehicles and accessories; colours; shapes; rings; ornaments and neck chains among others.
12 The presentation stressed that security, insecurity, peace, development, human progress, technological advancement are all interconnected variables of life, advocating that attaining and sustaining security to a reasonable level, must be the goal of every establishment, while being supported by every member of the society. Fundamentally, he restated that security is inevitable in any society that craves for peace and development.
13 On a final note, CP Balogun decried the despicable state of welfare of the Nigeria police officers, lamenting that this has since accounted for their low morale and poor productivity.
14 The lecture presentation called on Muslims to be kind and generous to others. The guest speaker urged Muslims to be disciplined and be role models to their children, stressing that the disciplinary culture must begin at an early stage.
15 CP Balogun in addition to effective approaches to resolve insecurity, endorsed state policing, saying that he, as a police officer has been advocating for it, over 20 years ago. He however called for its proper control and funding. He elaborated that State policing will enhance security and provide job opportunity
16 Earlier, the immediate past District Amir, Abdul-Ghani Adegbenga Abdul-Majeed in his welcome address indicated that the Conference topic: ”Insecurity challenges in Nigeria: Genesis, Consequences and Panacea” was deliberately chosen to reflect the present worrisome situation, especially insecurity challenges, ravaging in most parts of the country today.
17 Despite that the actual havoc suffered so far due to insecurity is difficult to quantify, the former Amir declared that the challenges have cost Nigeria huge human and material resources.
18 He (former Amir) identified factors such as the porous nature of the country’s international borders, corruption, proliferation of arms, weak judiciary and non-compliance to the rule of law, result to various criminal acts, noting that the major concern to Muslims is the tendency to link Islam to insecurity on account of the activities of Boko Haram, ISWAP and other notorious groups, who camouflage with the Islamic identity, but with actions and utterances contrary to its essence.
19 Following this disturbing trend, former District Amir charged Muslims to be persistent and unrelenting in speaking against and distancing Islam from the evil acts and threats to human security.
20 On education, the former Amir called on striking members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the government to shift grounds and agree on lasting solutions to the crises that have led to the previous and ongoing industrial actions. He opined that putting about 2 million university students in public universities in idleness is another threat to security, citing instances of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) staging a nationwide highway protests which could easily degenerate to destruction of lives and property as witnessed during #ENDSARS protest.
21 As the country prepares for another general elections, the former Amir charged the government, political parties, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), law enforcement agencies, politicians and other stakeholders to ensure that the ongoing electioneering campaigns and related activities are properly managed by all, so as to prevent a slide into insecurity. To this end, he cautioned against reckless statements and other conducts that can heat up the polity, as well as create tension.
22 Away from insecurity, the immediate past Amir at the opening of plenary session, confirmed that among the milestone achievements of the last administration was better visibility being enjoyed in both print and electronic media, through publication of press releases and reportage of the group’s events. Also worth to mention is the attainment of 1000 subscribers on The Companion’s YouTube Channel.
23 The height of the Conference was the unveiling and swearing-in of new District executive council members. Chairman of the Shurra Committee, Engr. Abdul Kabir Sanni announced Alhaji Abdul Kabir Olayiwola Baruwa as the new Amir; Engr. Musibau Olalekan Sanusi (Naib-l-Amir); Bar. Faruq Abbas (Secretary General); Kazeem Adeyanju (Assistant General Secretary); Ibrahim Dare Abdul Gafar (Financial Secretary).
24 Other new executives are: Alhaji Munir Adekola Olusanya (Treasurer); Alhaji Tajudeen Mukaila Adekola (Public Affairs Secretary); Abdul Fatai Okanlawon (Welfare Secretary); Monsur Oyebola (Internal Auditor) and Imam Dhikrullahi Alimi (Dawah Director).
25 The New Amir, Alhaji Abdul Kabir Olayiwola Baruwa in his acceptance speech pledged to run an open and inclusive administration. He called for an intensified effort on membership drive, especially the younger ones, for fresh ideas and higher productivity. He appealed to members to be financially responsible, promising that the new executives would not take for granted, the trust repose in them. While promising that the EXCO under his watch would leave an indelible imprint in office, Alhaji Baruwa called for the support of all members while its tenure lasts.
26 The meeting was attended by The Companion Leaders, including: the Chairman BoT Alhaji Walilullah Onibon; the immediate past National Amir (President) of The Companion, Alhaji Thabit ‘Wale Sonaike and Alhaji YKO Abdul Kareem, Dr Mumuni Alao as well as high power delegation of the sister’s organization, The Criterion.
Signed by:
Tajudeen Balogun
The Conference Secretary.
