ENUGU— Member representing Nkanu East State Constituency, Rt. Hon. Paul Nnajiofor has said the current security challenges being experienced in the state can undermine its global rating as the most peaceful, resilient and business-friendly state in Nigeria.
The lawmaker spoke against the backdrop of growing disenchantment and lack of trust in the leadership of the state and current security architecture.
“Enugu State as at today is still a peaceful and safe state, infact a Model in good governance and all inclusiveness to other States of the Federation despite some regrettable, sad and isolated cases of kidnappings and other attacks by suspected bandits and criminal elements.”
While encouraging citizens and residents to think positively, Nnajiofor acknowledged that “we are presently in trying and critically challenging situation to everybody including our Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and other leaders/stakeholders and ourselves the citizens.”
He advised that rather than casting aspersions, there should be robust engagement to proffer solutions to the challenges at hand.
“We should control our vituperations, comments, insinuations and encourage a platform of constructive dialogue, suggestions and proffer workable ideas and advises for implementable solutions to each of our trending challenges, including insecurity,” he said.
According to him “trading blames, heaping accusations and counter accusations on our governor and State leadership at this moment is not the best and will definitely block our level of thinking out a collective, responsible actions.
“Every ctizen of this great state should speak with love, faith and matured understanding in favour of our State, our leaders and pray seriously for the living God we serve to break the yokes of every enemy of our state, including Satan and his agents of darkness and all their evil plans to be dealt with and defeated. No matter what, they cannot succeed in discrediting this lovely and peaceful state under the current leadership of Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
“Instead of condemning our governor Gburugburu, we should be commending him and this government for going the extra mile to checkmate issues of insecurity and other negative vices in our land though these sad cases of insecurity have been existing and not a new narrative. It didn’t just start today.”
“We should check ourselves and be bold enough to report any evil and evil collaborations to the necessary authorities, no matter whoever that is involved instead of attacking or directing our anger and pain at one direction.
“Synergy of trust, confidence, sound judgement and citizens’ participation to fight crime and criminality with government will do a lot of good, bearing in mind that the governor is not the Chief Security Officer of the Nigerian Police, Army, the DSS and even the NSCDC.
He advocated the creation of State Police which he said “will also go a long way in support of Local and State Security apparatus such as the neighbourhood watch groups, Forest Guards, Community Youths Movements, Royal Peace Guards with Hunters, Wood Cutters, Palm wine tappers, farmers.”
He urged residents to be wary of fake news and strive to verify every information trending on social media.
“Pray for our leaders and love them while doing our own part as responsible citizens by being law abiding and wise enough not to believe every news or stories without confirming its genuineness, motive and source.
“So much fake and recycled, unverifiable, unfounded and untrue negative stories are flying all over the social media targeted at destructing our good image.” he added.
