BADAGRY (LAGOS) RT. Rev. Babatunde Adeyemi of the Anglican Communion, Badagry, Lagos, has urged the Federal Government on Monday to reorganise Nigeria’s security architecture to effectively tackle growing insecurity across the country.
Adeyemi made the appeal during the 1st Session of the 8th Synod and Valedictory Synod of the Bishop at the Cathedral Church of St. Thomas, Badagry, Lagos.
The theme of the synod was “Gratitude.”
According to the bishop, the kidnapping of over 80 schoolchildren in Borno and Oyo states about 24 hours apart is not good for the image of the country.
“The bandits and terrorists behave as if they have no children. Why target our schools?
“Education is the best legacy one can give to a child, but with what these people are doing, the number of out-of-school children will continue to increase.
“Already, we have over 10 million children out of school. Education is enlightenment.
“How can parents send their children to school when they are not sure of their security?
“It is a wake-up call to all concerned to protect our primary, secondary and tertiary institutions with every means available,” he said.
He urged the National Assembly to pass the bill on state police without further delay for the presidential assent.
According to him, states already have vigilante groups, while Lagos has the Neighbourhood Watch.
“Other states like Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti have the Amotekun Corps. These can transform into state police.
“If things are properly worked out, the local governments can also have Local Authority Police.
“All these were in existence before the 1966 coup. Therefore, for the sake of peace and progress, we need state police.
“The Nigeria Police Force alone cannot secure the country. Many of its personnel also lack the motivation to do the work,” he said.
On the economic hardship in the country, the bishop urged the people to support the masses in cushioning the effects of the war involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has affected fuel supply worldwide.
He said that since the advent of the current administration, the cost of transportation had increased astronomically, despite Nigeria being one of the largest producers of crude oil.
“If the cost of transportation is drastically reduced, we are sure that the cost of living will become bearable.
“The government should encourage the Dangote Refinery by supplying crude oil to it in naira.
“It is also necessary to assist other local refineries to function instead of importing petrol. The government exists to help the masses; that is why they were elected.
“If you are not going to subsidise fuel, then turn to agriculture and secure communities producing food from bandits and terrorists who are displacing them,” he said.
On the theme of gratitude, Adeyemi said he chose it to express his gratitude to God and to appreciate those who assisted him in his ministry in Badagry.
