The management of Blueprint Newspapers Limited, publishers of Blueprint newspaper, yesterday posthumously honoured the founding chairman of LEADERSHIP Group, Mr Sam Nda-Isaiah, for promoting democratic ideals using the media.
The award was received by LEADERSHIP director, Abraham Nda-Isaiah.
The 2021 Blueprint award winners came from all over the country and are spread across the following categories: democracy icons of the year, persons of the year, politicians of the year, governors of the year, global brand ambassadors of the year, public officers of the year, sports icon of the year, security icons of the year, lifetime achievement award, legislator of the year, female politician of the year, entrepreneur of the year, telecoms brand personality of the year, philanthropist of the year, sports administrator of the year, sports person of the year, realtor of the year, hospitality icon of the year, young person of the year, posthumous and outstanding public and private institutions awards.
The former chief of army staff and minister of interior, General Abdulrahman Dambazau, while delivering a paper entitled: “2023 Politics: National Security and Nigeria’s Stability”’ at the at the event, said the activities of terrorists in the north and the members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) constitute a major threat to the 2023 elections.
He stressed that IPOB or any violent group that threatens democracy must not be allowed any opportunity to carry out such threats against the corporate existence of this country.
On his part, the Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, said insecurity would be eradicated in the country if the political elite was willing.
According to him, insecurity in the country is man-made and those behind the problem cannot be the ones to solve it.
Bello said, “Those profiting from insecurity to solve the problem, how is that possible? These challenges, if we are ready to eliminate them before, during, or after the general election, six months is too much to eliminate and introduce all necessary reforms.
“The political elite are the ones that would decide what Nigeria should be.
“We have to ask, how do bandits get the sophisticated weapons they are holding; a bullet of Ak-47 is about N500, and you see them carrying a sack of bullets and you think they have the money to buy all of these arms and ammunition? It is a lie; who armed them? Politicians.”
Bello said he was determined to apprehend those occupying political positions in his state who are behind the insecurity in Kogi State.
The governor said he had set a trap for them and would reveal their identities to the world when apprehended.
He said, “I have set traps not only for the criminals or foot soldiers; the real criminals are those occupying those positions in government. I have made serious traps and I am waiting for them, and very soon I am going to catch one and I will expose him to the world.”
On the role of traditional rulers, he said that, unfortunately as powerful as the Sultan is, or as powerful as paramount traditional rulers are, they are under the local government chairman.
“They may be stooges for politicians and as such the traditional rulers are relegated to the background. It will require Constitution Amendment to give them definite roles and powers,” he said.
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