Attaining required security, cohesion and safety requires social justice’ – Governor Bello

Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello has stated that if the solution applied in his State with its neighbors representing almost one third of the states in the country is applied sincerely in Nigeria, the country will have the kind of security, cohesion and safety it requires.

Governor Yahaya Bello stated this while addressing the delegates at the Guild of Editor’s Conference held at the Nigerian Air Force Center Abuja, with the theme: ‘Media in times of crises: resolvingconflict, achieving consensus.’

He stated that when he asumed office on 27th of January 2016, Kogi State used to be the hot bed of insecurity in the country almost next to North East, but his government identified the problem starting from the leadership style, ensuring that there is fairness equity and justice in the system.

The Chief Executive Officer of Kogi further said Security was what every nation including Nigeria desires before even the air they breath because if there was no security, the air we breathe could cease and everything else becomes secondary.

“Before I resumed office on 27th of January 2016,Kogi State use to be the hot bed of insecurity in this country almost next to North East at that time but thank God when we assumed office we studied the situation, today Kogi State’s story is different.
“What did we do?
“We didn’t do magic, we simply identified the problem read starting from our leadership style ensuring that there is fairness equity and justice in the system. Secondly by ensuring that all leaders, not only the governor are not waiting for Mr. President, but all leaders including traditional leaders, religious leaders, Local Government Chairmen, community leaders, student Union bodies, market associations, artisans and the rest everybody lived up to their expectations. We ensured that we sensitized the citizens well enough to show them that their securities are in their hands”

“If there is no security, the work you do becomes secondary even the meals you take becomes secondary.

“I have to appreciate the Guild of Editor for deeming it necessary to choose this very important topic (Media in Times Of Crises: Resolving Conflict, Achieving Consensus) on security of lives and lively hood, and I believe that all of the leaders from top down should pay serious attention to this all important topic.

“I must appreciate you once again for choosing this topic and calling on us to come and share our experiences and possibly proffer solutions. However the solutions we shall proffer, let me tell you that insecurity is local and is peculiar what is obtainable in Kogi State might not necessarily be the same across the country or other parts, but out of the 36 states of this country, Kogi state is neighboring 10 states, and we are managing the security in Kogi state and helping all of our neighbors to manage theirs, so I can comfortably say if the solution we are applying in Kogi State today with our neighbors representing almost one third of the state in the country is applied sincerely, we will have the kind of security, cohesion and safety we require” said Yahaya Bello.

He further said it was important for leaders to be fair minded, carrying everybody along starting from appoint of cabinet members, providing  infrastructures fairly across board goes a long way in installing confidence and trust in the minds of the citizens.

The Guild of Editor’s Conference ended in Abuja on Friday, 22nd October, 2021.

The Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, was represented by his Chief of Staff, Prince AbdullahAdeojun Binuyo while the Governor of Yobe State Mai Mala Buni was represented by Retired Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam.

Governor El-Rufai of Kaduna State also sent a representative among other dignitaries that graced the occasion.