From Adeleye Oluwaseun
The Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has felicitates with the Muslims celebrating
Eid al-Fitr across the federation, calling for introspection and retrospection, at the time of global uncertainty.
Bamidele who stated this in a statement he personally signed and made available to newsmen in Ado Ekiti, said that Eid al-Fitr presents a vivid template of peaceful co-existence given the recent bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State that cost some lives and inflicted much injury.
“Today, as the world rounds off Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in Islam, I extend best wishes to all Nigerians celebrating Eid al-Fitr across the federation.
“This season should make us better people in all facets of life. It ought to daily guide the behaviour of every individual, the conduct of every leader and the policies of governments at national and sub national levels.
“While we commend our defence, intelligence and security communities for standing strong at this challenging time, it is important to point out the exigency of recalibrating our strategy for countering violent extremism and terrorism.”
The Senate Leader who is the Chairman, Ad-hoc Committee on National Security Summit at the upper chamber, said that the kinetic approach is key to restoring peace and ensuring security nationwide. “But time and experience have shown that kinetic operations alone cannot guarantee the peace and stability of our nation.
“Now that Ramadan has ended, we must move away from old practice and invest in the people. This places huge obligations upon our political, religious, and socio-cultural leaders across the federation.
“For the religious leaders, they must emphasise tolerance in their teachings and stop radicalising their disciples and followers. As for socio-cultural leaders, they must embrace dialogue to resolve inter-ethnic conflicts rather than resort to armed struggle.
“Politically, too, countering violent extremism is not only the mandate of the federal government. It is also a long-term mission that will emphasize the input of sub national governments.
“It simply requires the sub national governments to make human capital development the cornerstone of their response strategy. This entails investing purposefully in basic education; prioritising healthcare and nutrition; creating safety nets for the downtrodden, and developing an ecosystem that fosters creativity and innovation.
“At the National Assembly, we are already working out a multi-pronged approach to forging national development and security. That is why the Senate constituted an Ad-hoc Committee on National Security Summit with the mandate to unravel the root causes of insecurity.
“The same reason inspired the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution. When completed, it will incorporate fresh amendments that will expand the powers of the subnational governments to play a key role in the security of their territories,” he said.