Bamidele warned that the current approach to tackling insecurity requires urgent recalibration.
By Deborah Hassan
365Daily – Leader of the Senate, Opeyemi Bamidele, has declared that Nigeria must move beyond a solely military response to insecurity, urging leaders at all levels to prioritise human capital development, tolerance, and inclusive governance as Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr.
In a detailed message marking the end of Ramadan on Thursday, Bamidele said the spiritual exercise, characterised by fasting, prayer, charity, and reflection, should serve as a moral compass for both citizens and leaders, especially at a time of “global uncertainty” and rising security concerns at home.
“Today, as the world rounds off Ramadan, the holy month of fasting in Islam, I extend best wishes to all Nigerians celebrating Eid al-Fitr across the federation,” he said, noting that over the past month, “Muslim families, friends and communities consecrated all to God Almighty in fasting and prayer, love and charity, introspection and retrospection.”
The Senate Leader linked the significance of Eid to Nigeria’s current realities, particularly the recent bomb explosions in Maiduguri, which claimed lives and left many injured.
“At home, Eid al-Fitr presents a vivid template of peaceful co-existence given the recent bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State that cost some lives and inflicted much injury,” he said. “This season should make us better people in all facets of life. It ought to daily guide the behaviour of every individual, the conduct of every leader and the policies of governments at national and subnational levels.”
While commending the efforts of Nigeria’s defence, intelligence, and security agencies “for standing strong at this challenging time,” Bamidele warned that the current approach to tackling insecurity requires urgent recalibration.
“It is important to point out the exigency of recalibrating our strategy for countering violent extremism and terrorism. We believe the kinetic approach is key to restoring peace and ensuring security nationwide. But time and experience have shown that kinetic operations alone cannot guarantee the peace and stability of our nation,” he stated.
He therefore called for a decisive shift toward people-centred policies, insisting that sustainable peace can only be achieved through deliberate investments in human development.
“Now that Ramadan has ended, we must move away from old practice and invest in the people. This places huge obligations upon our political, religious, and socio-cultural leaders across the federation,” he said.
Bamidele charged religious leaders to promote tolerance and avoid teachings that could incite extremism.
“For the religious leaders, they must emphasise tolerance in their teachings and stop radicalising their disciples and followers,” he said, adding that socio-cultural leaders must also adopt peaceful means in resolving disputes. “They must embrace dialogue to resolve inter-ethnic conflicts rather than resort to armed struggle.”
The Senate Leader further broadened the responsibility for tackling insecurity, stressing that it is not the exclusive preserve of the federal government.
“Politically, too, countering violent extremism is not only the mandate of the federal government. It is also a long-term mission that will emphasise the input of subnational governments,” he said.
According to him, state governments must anchor their strategies on human capital development by “investing purposefully in basic education; prioritising healthcare and nutrition; creating safety nets for the downtrodden, and developing an ecosystem that fosters creativity and innovation.”
On the legislative front, Bamidele disclosed that the National Assembly is already advancing concrete measures to address the country’s security challenges through a multi-layered approach.
“At the National Assembly, we are already working out a multi-pronged approach to forging national development and security,” he said, citing the Senate’s constitution of an ad-hoc committee on a National Security Summit “with the mandate to unravel the root causes of insecurity.”
He added that the ongoing review of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria is also aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
“When completed, it will incorporate fresh amendments that will expand the powers of the subnational governments to play a key role in the security of their territories,” he explained.
Reaffirming the resolve of the National Assembly to support the fight against violent extremism through stronger legislation, Bamidele concluded by extending goodwill to Muslim faithful.
“While the National Assembly remains resolute in tightening laws to support the fight against violent extremism, I wish all who celebrate Eid al-Fitr the warmest celebration,” he said.