Approve zonal security fund • Pass vote of confidence in Tinubu
AMIDST rising security concerns in the country, the Southern Governors’ Forum (SGF) and the Southern Traditional Rulers Council (SNTR) on Wednesday passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu in recognition of his administration’s commitment to tackling insecurity in the country.
The governors’ forum and the traditional rulers, in a joint meeting held at the Iperu-Remo home of the Ogun State governor, who is also the chairman of the forum, Prince Dapo Abiodun, equally approved the creation of zonal security fund for each geopolitical zone in the southern part of the country.
A communique issued at the end of the meeting and made available to the Nigerian Tribune said following the escalation in insecurity in some parts of the country, a monthly zonal security coordinating meeting of security advisers would be institutionalised.
The communique read by Abiodun also said the meeting adopted an intelligence sharing framework supported by modern communication equipment and surveillance technologies, enabling real-time monitoring and coordinated responses across the southern states.
The forum also reiterated its longstanding call for the establishment of state police as constitutional imperative, noting that the success recorded by regional and community-based security outfits underscored the urgent need for decentralised policing.
The communique read: “Member states were encouraged to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to implement a unified state resident identification system.
“The forum resolved to enhance regional and local security outfits, including hunter associations and community-based surveillance units through the provision of equipment, logistics and operational support.”
The meeting also tasked member states to provide direct financial and operational support to their traditional councils, enabling them to play more effective role in governance and peacekeeping.
“In strong demonstration of unity, the forum and the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council jointly passed a vote of confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR in recognition of his leadership and unwavering commitment to national stability and reform.
“The forum recalled the Asaba Accord, wherein Southern governors, in May 2021, unanimously advocated for a president of southern extraction. Again, the forum restates its support for a southern president and in person of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
However, speaking in an interview with journalists after the meeting, Ooni of Ife, Oba Enita Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said the Southern Nigeria traditional rulers would team up with government and all stakeholders in the fight against insurgency, threatening the peace of the nation.
The revered monarch said present situation in the country is not auspicious for blame games or division or arguments, but a time for call to action from Nigerians to support President Tinubu in defeating the security challenge.
The SNTR, therefore, passed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu and their unflinching support in his determination to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
The council commended Tinubu for the prompt move in ensuring the rescue of 38 Kwara worshippers; 51 school pupils abducted in Niger State and 24 Students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State.
Oba Ogunwusi said the passing of the vote of confidence in. President Tinubu was as a result of his firm leadership to deal with the insecurity issue.
“The traditional institutions being the closest to the people, we came from the 17 states covering the entire southern Nigeria and our governors are equally at the meeting to chart a better course for the nation and the generations yet unborn.
“And what is critical to us is to pass vote of confidence in President Bola Tinubu, he is doing a lot and we can’t afford to leave him alone because Nigeria is bigger than all of us.
“He is currently the President and we all need to support him. He is our leader right now and we need to pass a vote of confidence in him. We should not divide ourselves. This is the time all of us must come together. It is a very strong external threat, irrespective of the talk about the north and the south, Nigeria is Nigeria.
“It is coming from the north, it is coming from the church, that is not the issue at hand, what is critical is to pass vote of confidence on the President, that at this critical and trying time we are with you, that he is not alone and that we are going to work with him to win this war.
“We remain the closest to our people and we shall continue to engage our people and confront this challenge headlong. Once we deal with the external enemies, then we can deal with those operating from the inside. So for us, it is a very critical issue and majorly what dominated our discussion today is security issue,” the Ooni added.
In the communique of the meeting, the Southern Governors’ Forum commended Tinubu’s commitment to rebuilding the integrity and capacity of Nigeria’s security forces, through the rehabilitation of Police and NSCDC training colleges.
It also welcomed the launch of the Renewed Hope Ward Initiative, a transformative grassroots programme expected to directly benefit over five million people across Southern Nigeria.
It said that the joint session that was held with the Southern Nigeria traditional Rulers Council was to reinforce the strategic role of traditional institutions in governance, security, and cultural integration.
While both the SGF and the SNTRC pledged their collective support for the Federal Government’s security architecture.
The Forum encouraged all member states to formally incorporate traditional rulers into their state security councils, recognising that these institutions are closest to the grassroots and hold critical intelligence capacities
The Forum emphasized that no effort would be spared in safeguarding lives and property.
The communique also reads partly,” The Forum called for the creation of a Zonal Security Fund with member states of each geopolitical zone contributing to a dedicated fund to support zonal security operations and capacity building.
A monthly Zonal Security Coordination Meeting of Security Advisers will be institutionalized.
“The Forum adopted an intelligence-sharing framework supported by modern communication equipment and surveillance technologies, enabling real-time monitoring and coordinated responses across states. To this end, the forum resolved that each member state in each zone (that is SW, SE & SS) shall jointly invest in equipment that will allow effective communication across state lines.
“The Forum reiterated its longstanding call for the establishment of State Police as a constitutional imperative. It emphasized that the success of community-based and regional security outfits underscores the urgent need for decentralized policing.
“Member states were encouraged to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to implement a unified state resident identification system.
“The Forum resolved to enhance regional and local security outfits, including hunter associations and community-based surveillance units through the provision of equipment, logistics, and operational support.
“ States were urged to partner with traditional rulers to regulate land allocation and prevent indiscriminate practices that could lead to security risks.
“The Forum also resolved to combat illegal mining activities, which have caused significant ecological damage, by working with environmental authorities and traditional councils.
‘The Forum pledged to continue speaking with one voice, advancing the collective interests of the South, and working collaboratively with the Federal Government to promote peace, progress and prosperity for all Nigerians.”
Earlier, Governor Abiodun, in his welcome remarks, said that the Southern geopolitical needs coordinated leadership to overcome the challenge of security threats and economic pressures.
He said the Southern region like others in the country, is not insulated from recent mass abductions in schools, religious centres, and rural communities across the country.
Abiodun expressed deep concern about the rise of insecurity in the country, and therefore reaffirmed the position of the region in the decentralisation of Police in tackling the issue.
“The speed at which insecurity spreads also shows that geography is no longer a guarantee of safety. With dense populations, major industrial corridors, seaports, airports, and strategic highways, the Southern region faces unique exposure to security risks.
“We must therefore shift from a mindset of assumed safety to one defined by structured, preventive, and deliberate security planning.
“As we deliberate on the security architecture of Southern Nigeria, it is important to state clearly that the creation of State Police remains a non-negotiable component of our collective demand for true federalism and effective grassroots security.
“ Our region has consistently advocated for a policing system that is closer to the people, more responsive to local realities, and better equipped to address the rapidly evolving threats we face.
“The recent incidents across the country reinforce the urgency of decentralising policing so that states can take direct responsibility for safeguarding their citizens.
“A unified Southern position on State Police will not only enhance intelligence gathering and early-warning capabilities but also strengthen our ability to secure schools, farmlands, border communities, and critical infrastructure across our states,” he added.
Speaking in an interview with journalists after the meeting, Oba Ogunwusi, said the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers would team up with government and all stakeholders in the fight against insurgency, threatening the peace of the nation.
The revered monarch said present situation of the country is not auspicious for blame games, division or arguments, but a time for call to action from Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu in defeating the security challenge.
The SNTR, therefore, passed vote of confidence on President Tinubu and their unflinching support in his determination to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
The Forum commended Tinubu for the prompt move in ensuring the rescue of 38 Kwara worshippers; 51 school pupils abducted in Niger State and 24 Students of Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi State.
Oba Ogunwusi said the passing of vote of no confidence on. President Tinubu was as a result of his firm leadership to deal with the insecurity issue.
“The traditional institutions being the closest to the people, we came from the 17 states covering the entire southern Nigeria and our governors are equally at the meeting to chart a better course for the nation and the generations yet unborn.
“And what is critical to us is to pass vote of confidence on President Bola Tinubu, he is doing a lot and we can’t afford to leave him alone because Nigeria is bigger than all of us.
“He is currently the President and we all need to support him, he is our leader right now and we need to pass vote of confidence on him. We should not divide ourselves, this is the time all of us must come together, it is a very strong external threat, irrespective of the talk about north and south, Nigeria is Nigeria.
“It is coming from the north, it is coming from the church, that is not the issue at hand, what is critical is to pass vote of confidence on the President, that at this critical and trying time we are with you, that he is not alone and that we are going to work with him to win this war.
“We remain the closest to our people and we shall continue to engage our people and confront this challenge headlong. Once we deal with the external enemies, then we can deal with those operating from the inside. So for us, it is a very critical issue and majorly what dominated our discussion today is security issue,” the Ooni added.
In a communique issued at the end of the meeting, the Southern Governors’ Forum, commended Tinubu’s commitment to rebuilding the integrity and capacity of Nigeria’s security forces, through the rehabilitation of Police and NSCDC training colleges.
It also welcomed the launch of the Renewed Hope Ward Initiative, a transformative grassroots programme expected to directly benefit over five million people across Southern Nigeria.
It said that the joint session that was held with the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC) was to reinforce the strategic role of traditional institutions in governance, security, and cultural integration.
While both the SGF and the SNTRC pledged their collective support for the Federal Government’s security architecture.
The Forum encouraged all member states to formally incorporate traditional rulers into their state security councils, recognising that these institutions are closest to the grassroots and hold critical intelligence capacities. The Forum emphasized that no effort would be spared in safeguarding lives and property.
The communique reads partly,” The Forum called for the creation of a Zonal Security Fund with member states of each geopolitical zone contributing to a dedicated fund to support zonal security operations and capacity building.
A monthly Zonal Security Coordination Meeting of Security Advisers will be institutionalized.
“The Forum adopted an intelligence-sharing framework supported by modern communication equipment and surveillance technologies, enabling real-time monitoring and coordinated responses across states. To this end, the forum resolved that each member state in each zone (that is, SW, SE & SS) shall jointly invest in equipment that will allow effective communication across state lines.
“ The Forum reiterated its longstanding call for the establishment of State Police as a constitutional imperative. It emphasized that the success of community-based and regional security outfits underscores the urgent need for decentralized policing.
“ Member states were encouraged to collaborate with the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to implement a unified state resident identification system.
“The Forum resolved to enhance regional and local security outfits, including hunter associations and community-based surveillance units through the provision of equipment, logistics, and operational support.
“ States were urged to partner with traditional rulers to regulate land allocation and prevent indiscriminate practices that could lead to security risks.
“The Forum also resolved to combat illegal mining activities, which have caused significant ecological damage, by working with environmental authorities and traditional councils.
‘The Forum pledged to continue speaking with one voice, advancing the collective interests of the South, and working collaboratively with the Federal Government to promote peace, progress and prosperity for all Nigerians.”
Earlier, Governor Abiodun, in his welcome remark, said that the Southern geopolitical needs coordinated leadership to overcome the challenge of security threats and economic pressures.
He said the Southern region like other in the country, is not insulated from recent mass abductions in schools, religious centres, and rural communities across the country.
Abiodun expressed deep concern about the rising of insecurity in the country, and therefore reaffirmed the position of the region in the decentralisation of Police in tackling the issue.
“The speed at which insecurity spreads also shows that geography is no longer a guarantee of safety. With dense populations, major industrial corridors, seaports, airports, and strategic highways, the Southern region faces unique exposure to security risks.
“We must therefore shift from a mindset of assumed safety to one defined by structured, preventive, and deliberate security planning.
“As we deliberate on the security architecture of Southern Nigeria, it is important to state clearly that the creation of State Police remains a non-negotiable component of our collective demand for true federalism and effective grassroots security.
“ Our region has consistently advocated for a policing system that is closer to the people, more responsive to local realities, and better equipped to address the rapidly evolving threats we face.
“The recent incidents across the country reinforce the urgency of decentralising policing so that states can take direct responsibility for safeguarding their citizens.
“A unified Southern position on State Police will not only enhance intelligence gathering and early-warning capabilities but also strengthen our ability to secure schools, farmlands, border communities, and critical infrastructure across our states,” he added.
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