Again, the payment of a ‘living wage’ should begin to apply in recruitment and remuneration of workers in Nigeria. Security is a sensitive duty which does not admit compromises. Regrettably, the situation we operate is such that the take-home pay of our security operatives can hardly take them home, which leaves them no other option than to resort to accepting bribes, conniving with criminal elements to commit abominable crimes, including kidnapping, and yielding to other corruptive influences which compromise security.

The Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi adopted an admirable strategy to evolve an acceptable sectoral blueprint for his government on assumption of office in 2008. He organized stakeholders’ summit in each of the sectors of the economy at which knowledgeable professionals, experts and citizens made contributions and submitted memoranda to enrich government policy in each sector.

This is what is recommended to the Federal Government to enable it evolve a 21st century security framework that would end the prevailing insecurity malaise in the country. Let’s have a national summit on security, and use the report to fashion out modern security strategy for the nation.

Again, corruption is at the base of the violence and insecurity in the country, and government must exhibit the political will to show zero tolerance for corruption.  Clearly, in a country over-endowed like Nigeria, with a majority youth population, the present situation in which the wealth circulates among the corrupt few old folks who have been recycled time and again in government while the majority youths contend with unemployment, hunger and diseases can only make them vulnerable tools in the devil’s workshop.

The May edition of the international best selling TIME magazine, for instance, revealed that the World Bank reported that Nigeria’s generals and gangster politicians stole $300billion in the three decades to 2006. What patriotism does it show or what incentive does it give to the economy and future generations that this huge chunk of the nation’s wealth has been frittered away by a few? What sacrifice does the government want the youths to make in this circumstance?

When Nigeria is able to make politics less attractive, and show zero tolerance for corruption, then she will be on the road to national cohesion. This is because the primary purpose of every government is the welfare and security of its citizenry.

The 21st century security Nigeria urgently needs will also benefit from the anti-terrorism bill awaiting action at the National Assembly. Therefore, the leadership of the National Assembly must expedite action and pass the bill so as to facilitate the implementation of a security procedure and framework that is responsive, before miscreants and criminal adventurers overrun the nation.

It is hoped that the October 1 Abuja bombing incident will shake up the lawmakers from their lethargy, and make them pass the bill into law without further delay.

For now, let such people as Ciroma and Tanko Yakassai, who relish their unguarded outbursts, watch it! They should know that it is not enough for them to speak loudly of a perceived conviction just because they feel they have more stakes in the nation’s body polity. They don’t! Even the National Assembly members realize that they owe this nation a lot to show their maturity and untainted character in not just sympathizing with the president but also the families of the victims and injured because of the bomb blasts. That is the character of honourable and patriotic leaders. Not the type exhibited by Ciroma and his followers.      

The reassurances and expressions of sympathy of the ex-militant leaders, who paid a solidarity visit to President Jonathan last week, should silence Ciroma and his cohorts. Even the solidarity visit of the Northern Political Summit otherwise called G20 should serve a note of warning to the Ciroma and his likes that they are on their own. I advise Ciroma not to play politics with such a serious tragedy in future.