Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas on Friday tasked authorities of National Defence College (NDC) to conduct indepth research into relationship between cashless policy and insecurity ravaging the country.
Hon. Abbas who gave the charge during an interactive session with NDC Commandant, Rear Admiral Olumuyiwa Morakinyo Olotu in Abuja, expressed the need to revisit the cashless policy which he noted is being canvassed for by some Parliamentarians who affirmed that
He said: “Commandant, you are aware of where Nigeria is today in terms of security. We are at the lowest ebb. We rely on Institutions like yours to come up with policies that will minimize, if not eliminate, all the security challenges that this country is facing. Our people are suffering, everywhere you go from North to South, East to West, it’s the same handwriting. Insecurity, terrorism and banditry and I believe one of the reasons why you (the NDC) are in existence; why your Institution was established, was to proffer solutions in terms of policies.
“I want to challenge you, as a new Commandant, to please put on his thinking cap, think outside the box, and come up with advice for the Executive as well as for us in the Legislature on what we need to do to actually bring to an end this incessant insecurity that is bedevilling this country.
“I believe you are up to the task, and I believe you will be able to deliver at the end of the day.
“And I want to give you one assignment, being a research-based institution to please help us study the relationship between cashless society and insecurity.
“A lot of members have been coming to say ‘let us go and talk to the President and ask him to revisit this issue of cashless policy introduced towards the end of last year,’ because it was found that the introduction of the policy significantly reduced terrorism, reduced kidnappings and all forms of banditry.
“So, that is in a way started giving a kind of reflection that a sort of non-kinetic policy that a great institution like you can come up with and advise a brand way of integrating what started as a burden at the end of the day, and what we need to do to really bring this insecurity to the barest minimum.
“So, as a research-based institution please we want you to put it as part of your studies, what could be the impact of a cashless society vis-a-vis insecurity. Are they legally related, can one complement the other or not because I’m sure Mr. President and we at the level of the Parliament will be very interested in knowing if this policy that we really need to introduce back and be able to give it better human face and if at the end of the day it will help to improve the security of this country.”
While congratulating him on his recent appointment to steer the affairs of National Defence College, averred that NDC is one of the “most prestigious security-related Institutions we have in Africa because it’s among the very few that attract patronage not only in Nigeria. It’s an institution that receives patronage from not only West Africa or Africa, it has become an international Institution.
“So, it’s been something of great delight to us and from the feedback we are getting from participants all over the world, they are very very proud of the kind of training and engagement they get from the institution. So, a big congratulations to you.
“We are aware of the all the challenges you’re facing, in terms of funding, in terms legislation concerning the phobia regarding your school, we want to assure you that we have set the ball rolling to ensure that this time around what happened in the 9th Assembly does not repeat itself because this bill was there but we are unable to conclude the legislative process before winding up.
“This time around we are starting early and I want to assure you under the 10th Assembly the true name of your Institution will be given a legislative backing. We will do that for you.”
He also expressed readiness to deploy some of the National Assembly personnel to undergo short trainings at the National Defence College so that they can be able to rub minds and be able to benefit from each other’s experiences but generally from the legislative point of view so that we can come up with policies that will benefit this country.
“I also want to challenge you to look at one of our units, and see if can be able to add value to it. That is the Sargeant at arms. Sargeant at arms remain our security outfit in the national assembly but from what I see in their conduct, in their activities, in their countenance, they need more and more training to be able to do their job well. And I believe your own institution can also play pivotal role. So, take a look, if there’s anything we can collaborate in that area, we are more than willing to sit down with you and come up with solution to that,” the Speaker assured.
. TheWitness
