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Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State has blamed increase in banditry and kidnapping in some parts of the country to compromises by some individuals in their various communities.
Governor Bello made the disclosure while speaking in Lokoja on Tuesday against the backdrop of 2021 International Peace Day with the theme, “Recovering better for an equitable and sustainable world” organized by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with Participation Initiative for Behavioral Change in Development, (PIBCID), said his administration will not allow Kogi State to be a breathing place for criminal element.
The international Peace Day is funded by Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) and facilitated by ActionAid Nigeria in collaboration with her state-based partners; Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID), in Kogi State.
The activity is in pursuance of the System and Structure Strengthening Approach against Radicalisation to Violent Extremism (SARVE II) project.
Bello, who rolled out his achievements that is making Kogi State as the most peaceful state in Nigeria explained that peace remains a panacea for national development.
Bello, who was represented by the Kogi State Commissioner for Youth and Sport Development Mr Idris Musa appreciated ActionAid and PIBCID for their roles in the state in promoting peace stressing that his administration remains committed towards protecting lives and properties of the citizens.
” My achievements in terms of security in this country is second to none in this country. Our people have continued to sleep with their two eyes closed. No doubt kidnapping, armed robbery, banditry is now business in some parts of the country, just because some people in their communities have compromised and they are not willing to fish out this bad eggs from their vicinity. But it is not so here. We are committed to safety of our people. Criminals should stay away from Kogi State. Any one caught be will be dealt with decisively and will face the full wrath of the law.”.
Speaking earlier, ActionAid Nigeria County Director Mrs Ene Obi who was represented by Adewale Adeduntan, Social Mobilization Manager, ActionAid Nigeria, admonished Kogi State Government to sustain the gains they have recorded in promoting peaceful coexistence in the state.
In her remarks, the executive director participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development, (PIBCID), Halima Oiza Sadiq admonished youths in the state to show love and shun violence stressing that “we should not agonize but organize our State”.
On her part, the Kogi State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajia Fatima Kabir Buba lauded ActionAid Nigeria for their immense contributions towards promoting peace in the state.
She said her ministry will leave no stone unturned in the campaign at promoting peace adding that despite the negative report of security lapses in other parts of the country, Kogi State has continued to take the lead for peace in Nigeria.
The International Day of Peace was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly.
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