Minister Says Security Challenge Will Soon Be Thing Of The Past

Tanimu-TurakiAlhaji Kabiru Turaki, the Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, on Monday urged Nigerians not to be daunted by the security challenge in the country.

Turaki, who made the call at the World Humanitarian Day in Abuja, added that current security situation in the country would soon be over.

The theme of the day was: “The World Needs More Helping Hands.”

The minister said the Federal Government had always been proactive in securing its people and visitors but could do more with the help of Nigerians.

He, therefore, urged Nigerians to continue to assist security agencies with useful information because the strength of every security agency was contingent upon the amount of information it received.

He said government’s target was not to be reactive to attacks but to prevent attacks from taking place.

According to him, this can only be achieved with the cooperation of Nigerians.

He called on Nigerians to key into the Transformation Agenda of the federal government to find solutions to daily societal challenges.

Turaki also urged Nigerians to remember humanitarian aid workers who lost their lives helping millions of people around the world.

“Humanitarians provide life-saving assistance to millions of people worldwide. They place their lives at risk to help others in conflict zones and areas of natural disasters.

“Statistics have shown that in 2013 alone, there have been 85 cases of violence against humanitarian workers and 185 victims of harm globally.

“This year in Nigeria, nine persons have been recorded as victims of hostilities and these were the brave polio immunisation workers murdered in cold blood while saving children from epidemics of poliomyelitis.

“The total number of people affected by natural disaster, wars, terrorist activities etc, has risen over the past decade, and about 211 million people are directly affected each year.

“At the peak of last year’s flood, the total number of people affected in 28 states of the federation was estimated at 7.4million.

“The trend, no doubt, has been on the increase due to current security challenge in the country. There are now difficult challenges that arise each year that require more flexible and adaptable humanitarian work.

“We must all key into the transformation agenda and find solution to the societal challenges that are thrown up on a daily basis,” he said. (NAN)