By Idris Kasumu, Osogbo
Security of the entire country topped the agenda of traditional rulers in the country as they commenced their conference in Osogbo, the capital of Osun state today, Monday June 11, 2012.Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, who opened the conference with his speech, listed corruption and security as two major problems facing the country.
The royal fathers’ meeting is taking place amidst series of confusion including kidnapping, bomb blasts and killing and gang robbery across the country. Wanton killings by religious extremists, high-level graft, according to the Sultan, have held the country down advising however that Nigerians must get their acts together to combat the problems.
The Sultan stated, “The fight against extremism should not be seen as a fight against Islam. It is not what the perpetrators of violence do, that really count. The actions we take individuals or collectively that will shape the fate of humanity.”
The National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi (rtd), lamented the incessant killings by religious extremists. He said the country is dealing with “complex security” issues adding that criminal gangs exploit the existing problems to perpetrate
destruction.
The President charged traditional rulers to use their influence to end the crisis in the country. He said with good governance, there will be a drastic reduction in the spate of security challenges noting that the problem of unemployment and frustrations also provide avenues for the increase in the generation of conflicts.
