Cleric tasks FG on empowering military, police

Prelate of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church (Worldwide), Dr. David Bob-Manuel, has urged the Federal Government to build strong military and paramilitary institutions and as well increase the funding of police to strengthen security in Nigeria

Besides, he said security architectures and agencies must be empowered and given a level of independence to bring the country together.

Bob-Manuel, who stated this yesterday, during a press conference to commemorate his sixth induction ceremony in Lagos, said stories of insecurity from all parts of the country are unpalatable and becoming a norm.

He said security must be kept out of politics and modern technologies should be deplored to fight criminals involved in the menace.

He, therefore, called for training and re-training of police officers on the use and abuse of firearms, which he said, had led to several losses of lives.

According to him, dissemination of intelligence information and collaboration among the security architectures should be a routine programme to nip criminality in the bud.

Bob-Manuel said the government should also create public awareness programmes to educate the citizens on the reasons behind subsidy removal and the long-term benefits for a more efficient and transparent energy market.

He implored the government to urgently implement social safety net programmes, which would protect the vulnerable population from the impact of higher fuel prices. This may be in the form of provision of fertilisers to farmers, monetary transfers to the vulnerable, subsidies for essential goods and improved transportation system.

The cleric, while speaking on the spate of unemployment in the country, said the government could review and reform labour market regulations to make it easier for businesses to thrive and provide job security for workers.

He said supporting small and medium-sized enterprises through access to finance, training and infrastructure stimulates job creation and entrepreneurship will enhance productivity and reduce criminality.

Bob-Manuel said unemployment remains a challenge in this country, saying that many of the youths are now into online fraud, armed robbery, kidnapping and all forms of social vices.

He said the government should support modern farming practices and agribusiness to generate employment in the rural areas, stating that the government at all levels should improve the quality of education and vocational training programmes to equip the youths with the relevant skills for the job market.