Former Head of State, General Abdusalami Abubakar, has stressed the need for government at all levels to provide an economic base for individuals with a view to tackling poverty and preventing many from engaging in criminal acts.
Abubakar made this remark on Thursday during a visit to the governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Addressing journalists shortly before departing, he said, it was the responsibility of everyone to take part in ensuring security.
His words: “Each and everyone of us has a role to play in trying to pass any information that can be helpful to the security agencies. If you see any strange faces in your area, it’s your civic right to report that individual.”
Speaking in the same vein, Makinde who expressed appreciation for the visit of the former Head of State said his administration was already taking steps to provide adequate security.
He added that his government was already reviewing the security architecture of the state in order to provide a formidable structure for peace and security.
He said: “Yesterday I visited the Oyo State Security Trust Fund Office because we are trying to have a deep appreciation of what we have on the ground, to know precisely how to go about the security of the state. We are in the phase where we are getting all the data to know the gaps. In a very short time, you will start seeing the changes in the security architecture of the state.”
According to the governor, the incumbent government in Oyo State would not toy with the security of lives and property.
Also speaking earlier, Abubakar said the private sector experience of the Makinde would help him in the governance of the state.
Abubakar who explained that he was in Ibadan to attend an inaugural lecture of the University of Ibadan congratulated Makinde for his victory at the March 29 polls, adding that he was in the vanguard of encouraging the younger generation of Nigerians to take interest in politics.
According to him, Makinde would bring to bear his wealth of experience from the private sector.
Said he: “Let me congratulate you on your victory as the Governor of Oyo State. I commend the younger generation like you to go into governance.
“As somebody coming from the private sector into governance, you are coming with lots of experience in the private sector, so one can be sure that you will deploy that experience into governing Oyo State.”
