Cleric and founder of Kingsways International Christian Centre (KICC), Matthew Ashimolowo, has called for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) to be trained as part of Nigeria’s strategy to combat insurgency and insecurity.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Thursday, Ashimolowo urged Nigerians to rally behind President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which he described as committed to making a difference in the fight against banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.
“Nigeria needs a turnaround. Let’s stand behind our president now that he has called for more policing, more soldiers. All our NYSC guys should be trained,” Ashimolowo said.
He argued that raising the security level would restore national pride and strengthen Nigeria’s global image. “Let’s make our people proud to be Nigerians, let’s tap into the brain of our nation and also recognize global Africa,” he added.
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Ashimolowo praised Nigerians as “the toughest, strongest, boldest and fearless,” insisting that the country has leadership determined to make things work. “I believe we have a leadership that wants to make things work, let’s support and be behind him [Tinubu],” he said.
His comments came a day after President Tinubu declared a nationwide state of emergency on insecurity, authorising the recruitment of additional personnel into the Armed Forces and police. Tinubu announced that the police would recruit 20,000 new officers, raising their strength to 50,000.
While supporting the president’s directive, Ashimolowo cautioned against the creation of state police, warning it could be misused. “The state police may work, but I tell you it will end up becoming a personal army for somebody who will begin to use it at some point to terrorize others,” he said.
Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread insecurity, including mass abductions, bandit attacks, and terrorism, prompting calls for innovative solutions to bolster national defence.