2023: Hasken Matasa Tackles Insecurity In a Discussion on its 43rd Episode
AREWA AGENDA – In the wake of the forthcoming 2023 general election, organisations, and individuals are discussing issues bedeviling the country and offering possible solutions on what the priorities of those that will emerge as leaders in the next election circle would be.
Hasken Matasa is no exception, on it 43rd episode, it invited Saifullahi Indan Bawa – a peace promoter and Abdussamad Ahmad Yusuf – an advocator of peace to speak on the weeks episode themed ‘Agenda and Priorities for elected Officials and Electorates with focus on Peace and Security’
Saifullahi kicked off of the programme by stating that peace goes beyond absence or manslaughter, that for peace to exist there must four cardinals.
“Peace goes beyond absence of war or manslaughter, which can be regarded as a lesser peace, for peace to exist there should be a stable environment where everyone enjoys basic human right otherwise known as universal rights, education, sustainable livelihood and decent shelter”.
Lamenting on the situation of the country, Saifullahi said absence of the four cardinals is why the nation is in serious jeopardy, and to over these, there is every need to bring new policies that is affable to all.
Saifullahi added that some of the problem is because electorates do not have access to complain directly to the leaders they voted in to office to represent their interests and achieve the common goal.
“These new policies should involve communication between the elected officials and the electorates, active listening and speaking on events unfolding in various communities, followed by necessary actions to mitigate the negative ones and finally involving all citizens in the issue of security “, Saifullahi suggested.
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” On a final note, to re-enforce Nigeria security, citizens should be taxed in order to increase revenue, and get people really involved because whatever we pay for, we give value to, always give security personnel accolades so they know they are important,” Saifullahi added.
On his part, Abdussamad said the security personnel should realise that they have been overwhelmed and they need the civilians to succeed in providing security.
“Security personnels are overwhelmed and that is the reason agencies have departments like community policing, civil military operations department etc, hence, they should use civilians judiciously instead of bullying them at every slight opportunity they get “.
Abdussamad mentioned that for effective security, the mistrust between elected leaders and electorates must be addressed
” To achieve the peace and security we crave for, the leaders have to go back to the table and discuss how to gain the trust of the electorates stakeholders should contribute their quarters finally, intellectually, and even physically security personnel should go around sensitising communities because not all the crimes is solved with arresting people and putting them under lock and key and we also need to go back to the days where child upbringing is everyones business “.
On other ways to support security providers, Abdussamad believes efforts need to made by the general public.
“The general public need to make efforts like opening bank account and contributing the little they can in order to increase funding for security operatives, help in cleaning their office and environs monthly, parents especially mothers should be involved in sensitisation programmes because children in most cases can refrain from doing wrong just to make their parents happy”.
He further encouraged the government to create laws that govern the operation or activities of vigilante groups because, “even though their effort and work is commendable, they sometimes cross boundaries beyond their scope,” he argued.
Hasken Matasa, which literally translates into “Light of the Youth,” a weekly program on topical youth oriented issues organised by the Community Health and Research Initiative (CHR) and the Youth Society for Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices (YOSPIS), is sponsored by the Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation (AMG Foundation)
