…reiterates plans for effective State and Community policing
President Bola Tinubu on Friday assured Nigerians that the ongoing recalibration of the country’s security architecture would soon begin to yield results that would gladden their hearts.
The President gave the assurance while meeting with a delegation of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), led by its President, Daniel Okoh, at his Lagos residence, according to Bayo Onanuga, his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy.
President Tinubu said his administration was committed to establishing state and community policing to change the country’s security narrative.
He also appealed to CAN to work with his administration to achieve the nation’s collective aspirations, noting that some of the measures being implemented required time to mature.
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“The mood of the nation is peaceful, although our ungoverned spaces are so large. The challenge is real, but we will surmount it. We are very religious; we are prayer warriors. We need your focus, vigilance and cooperation.
“Community and state policing will be a reality once the National Assembly completes the required legislative inputs. Military hardware is difficult to replace; it is expensive and not available off the shelf.
“Our orders for four attack helicopters from the United States of America will take some time to arrive. We have also approached Turkey for assistance,” he said.
The President, however, acknowledged that the delays were affecting public perception of the administration’s commitment to addressing the security challenges.
He assured that the government was not relenting in its efforts to restore peace and prosperity to the country, despite the guerrilla tactics employed by bandits and insurgents.
Commenting on the recent abduction and release of schoolchildren in Niger and Kebbi states, President Tinubu called for vigilance, adding that “the rhetoric about how the children were released or what happened to the kidnappers is secondary; the end justifies the means.”
Responding, Okoh assured the President of the association’s support.
“You are our President. The Church has no choice but to support you and your administration,” he said.
He also acknowledged the organisation’s receipt of palliatives, usually extended to it during religious festivals and even in the off-season.
Okoh commended President Tinubu for his commitment and zeal in addressing the nation’s socio-economic and security challenges and urged him not to relent.
“We acknowledge that the task before you is daunting, but we are assured of your sagacity. The Christian community is committed to ensuring that you succeed.
“Your commitment has closed the gap between the government and the Church. This has never happened before, and we are willing to work with you because we have seen genuine intentions,” he added.
However, Okoh appealed to the President to always engage directly with the association through its established structures in all 774 local government areas of the country.
He also requested the release of funds to the Christian Pilgrims Board to enable it to effectively carry out its mandate.
Other members of the delegation included Stephen Panya Baba, Vice President, CAN; Francis Wale Oke, President, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria; as well as representatives from the Organisation of African Instituted Churches (OAIC), the Catholic and Methodist blocks, and the CAN Chairman, Lagos State, Stephen Adegbite.
