The founder of the Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Matthew Ashimolowo, wants the Federal Government to integrate security training into the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme as part of efforts to combat insecurity in Nigeria.
“Our NYSC guys, we should train all of them to the point where they see somebody smoking hemp, not even committing any crime, they swing into action; then security level will increase,” the cleric said on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday.
Ashimolowo urged Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s moves to better protect the country, adding that every citizen should contribute to national security.
“Let’s stand behind our president now that he has called for more policing. Let’s stand behind our president now that he has called for more soldiers,” he said on the breakfast show.
He called on the government and citizens to work together to harness Nigeria’s youth population, which he said is about 60 percent of the country’s demography.
The cleric suggested that Nigeria could adopt Israel’s model of involving young citizens in national defence efforts.
“Every time I go to Israel, I’m amazed Israel’s army are 18-year-olds. You serve in Israel’s army from 18 to 22. All our NYSC guys, we should train all of them,” he said.
He stressed that such training would create awareness and vigilance among young people, boosting Nigeria’s internal security system.
While commenting on the idea of state police, Ashimolowo cautioned that it could be misused by some leaders.
“State police may work, but it will end up being the personal army of somebody who will begin to use it at some point to terrorize others,” he warned.
Ashimolowo urged Nigerians to unite in building a secure and proud nation.
“Let’s raise the security level, let’s make our people proud to be Nigerians, let’s tap into the brain in our nation. I believe we have leadership that wants to make things work. Let’s support him; let’s be behind him,” the preacher said.
“But above all, in my opinion, everyone should go on security maintenance,” he said.
