The Registrar of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Is-haq Oloyede, has called for increased cooperation between the federal and state governments in order to address the security challenges facing Nigeria.
Oloyede advocated for a robust collaborative approach and a multi-level policing system that would involve all three tiers of government to overcome the current multifaceted security issues.
The JAMB registrar made these remarks during a lecture titled “Duties of Muslim Citizens in National Development” at the maiden Ramadan lecture organized by the lawmaker representing Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency, Akin Rotimi, in Ekiti State.
Oloyede, who was represented by the Provost of the Federal College of Education at Iwo in Osun State, Prof. Abdulrafiu Adebayo, emphasized that security is a collective responsibility and should not be solely left to the federal government.
He stressed the importance of collaboration from sub-national governments to improve Nigeria’s security architecture. Oloyede acknowledged the vastness of Nigeria and the limitations it places on President Bola Tinubu’s ability to handle every security situation. He emphasized the need for governors to develop local security measures within their respective states.
Oloyede also commented on the complex role of religion in Nigeria, stating, “We are too religious but we are not that godly. We are in love with prayers but we don’t know the difference between prayer and hard work.”
He continued, “It is when we unite and bury our ethnic bitterness that we will get it right. Religion would have solved our problems properly, but we did not utilise it very well.”
Rotimi concluded by stating, “What you see me do is an example of what all my colleagues are doing during the Easter and Ramadan. This is part of our efforts to ensure that we redefine representation and make sure that we leave our marks.”
