Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Barr. Nyesom Wike on Thursday, expressed optimism that with the recent policies and measures being put in place by President Bola Tinubu, bandits and terrorists will no longer find incubation points and free territories to operate.
The minister made the remark at the Obafemi Awolowo university, Ile-Ife, Osun State while delivering this year’s Obafemi Awolowo University lecture titled: “Nigeria of our dreams”.
Wike said, “Put simply, the era of banditry and terrorism would soon come to an end. These and many other policies and measures are being put together by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reposition our country on the path of progress and development.”
LEADERSHIP recalls that President Tinubu recently approved the appointment of forest guards to address the challenge of bandits and terrorists said to be incubating in forests.
He added that the security situation was being addressed through proper funding, training and retraining of the army and other security forces.
He however charged Nigerians to support the administration of President Tinubu adding that no leader, no matter how endowed, equipped and selfless, can truly succeed without the support and cooperation of the citizenry.
Wike further called on Nigerians to wake up from years of cynicism, indifference and hopelessness to embrace the new era of renewed hope led by President Tinubu.
“No nation has made any reasonable progress without the robust cooperation and collaboration of its leadership and followership,” Wike insisted.
He noted that the overwhelming cry of over-centralisation of power and resources at the national level and the attendant abuse of the doctrine of federalism is being systematically addressed through the creation of zonal/regional commissions empowered to devolve development to their respective zones and regions for power to truly return to the people.
The Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi described Wike as an upright and fearless politician who says things as they are no matter whose ox is gored.
Oba Ogunwusi said this formed his reason for the deep respect he has for the FCT minister.
Meanwhile, there was a mild drama at the event when two students of the Institution including Oladepo Joshua and Ejike Kelechi who attempted protest to demand compensation for people whose buildings were demolished for development in Abuja by the minister.
The two students were promptly curtailed by their fellow students who were dissatisfied by the actions of their colleagues.
While reacting to the incident, the University’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Olarewaju said while everyone has the right to protest, the minority should not disrupt what the majority were enjoying.
“Everybody has a right to protest, and the minority, microscopic minorities, should not disrupt what the overwhelming majority allows.
“So, they were not arrested; they were only rescued out of the Oduduwa Hall. We didn’t want the situation to escalate, because some of their colleagues were the ones who accosted them”, Olanrewaju noted.
