Founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre, Matthew Ashimolowo, has urged the Federal Government to integrate National Youth Service Corps members into the country’s security-awareness framework.
He said their involvement could help strengthen early detection of threats at the community level.
In a Thursday interview with Channels Television, Ashimolowo stated that Nigeria needs to increase its involvement in national security initiatives.
“All our NYSC guys, community service – we should train all of them to be aware. They see somebody just smoking hemp, not even committing any crime as yet. Then the security level will increase,” he said.
He supported the President’s recent orders to increase military deployment and law enforcement, saying, “Nigeria needs a turnaround. Let’s stand behind our president. Now that he has called for more policing… for more soldiers… let’s stand behind our president.”
As an example of broad security awareness, Ashimolowo cited Israel’s mandatory service system.
“Anytime I go to Israel, I’m amazed. Israel’s army is for 18-year-olds. You serve in the Israeli army from 18 to 22,” he said.
He did, however, issue a warning against the unrestrained use of state police, pointing out that political authorities might take advantage of it.orities.
“State police may work, but I tell you, it will end up becoming the personal army of somebody who will begin to use it at some point to terrorise others.
“This is Nigeria, and we have seen people who have misunderstood that word ‘executive’ behind their title. They execute what they should not execute,” he said.
