The Secretary to the Bayelsa State Government (SSG), Prof. Nimibofa Ayawei, representing Governor Douye Diri, has described Nigeria’s security situation as a national challenge affecting every aspect of citizens’ lives, stressing that governments at all levels must prioritise the welfare and safety of the people.
Ayawei stated this in an interview with First Daily on Tuesday on the sidelines of the First Daily Sixth Anniversary National Dialogue on Security held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
The event, themed “Declaration of State of Emergency on Security: Matching Words with Action,” brought together policymakers, security experts, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to deliberate on practical solutions to Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
According to the Bayelsa SSG, insecurity has become a major concern for ordinary Nigerians, noting that fear now accompanies routine activities such as going to the market or sending children to school.
“It is a real security challenge. Security affects every aspect of our lives because everybody is suffering in this country today.
“People can no longer go to the market freely. Mothers are always anxious whenever their children go to school. It is a serious problem, and this dialogue provides an opportunity for all of us to examine the issue of security in this country,” he said.
Ayawei maintained that government must demonstrate greater responsibility by prioritising citizens’ welfare, arguing that improved living conditions would significantly reduce many of the country’s security concerns.
“For me, government must be responsible. That is the first thing. Government must ensure that the people are satisfied. When there is satisfaction, many of these problems will reduce.
“Government must also work closely with the people because security is everyone’s responsibility. We have to work together if we want to overcome the challenges we are facing today,” he added.
Speaking on the debate surrounding the establishment of state police, the Bayelsa government representative described the issue as fundamental to Nigeria’s security architecture.
He observed that while governors are recognised as the Chief Security Officers of their states, they lack operational control over the police, making discussions on state policing both necessary and timely.
“It is a fundamental issue because the President appoints the heads of the country’s security agencies, while the governors are regarded as the Chief Security Officers of their states but do not have operational control over the police.
“There are different opinions on the issue. The Senate has its own view, and the conversation is still ongoing,” Ayawei said.
The First Daily National Dialogue on Security forms part of activities marking the newspaper’s sixth anniversary and is expected to generate practical recommendations aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s security framework through collaboration among government, security agencies and other critical stakeholders.