Jimoh Ibrahim advocates paradigm shift from state security to individual security.
– Steve Ovirih .
The Distinguished Senator representing Ondo South in The National Assembly, Senator (Dr.) Jimoh Ibrahim, CFR, billionaire business mogul and founder Fortune University , Igbotako, has averred that in the bid to seek solution to security challenges bedevelling states across the federation, there is the need for a paradigm shift in the discourse on security, advocating paradigm shift from state security to individual security even as he stressed that the safety of individual members of a nation state will strengthen state security and invariably consolidate national security.
The Igbotako born Politician , technocrat and expert on security matters with a foreign PhD in War studies , gave this opinion on shifting focus from state security to individual security at the third Summit of Ondo State Advancement and Welfare Consultative Association ( OSAWA) , Ondo South Security, Economic and leadership summit themed ‘ activating the Southern Potential: Gateway for prosperity and security ‘ which held at The Royal Bay Event Center Okitipupa. Senator Ibrahim was the Chairman of the summit and in his speech turned ‘ Security Lecture’, the brainy technocrat saluted OSAWA for sustaining the call for the development of Ondo State
Jimoh Ibrahim noted that from time immemorial in the affairs of state governance, there has been over concentration of attention on state security, whereas state security is built round a Leviathan or better still the State Hegemon, noting that the influence of the Leviathan and his informed opinion or otherwise on matters of state security determines his focus as regards the security of the state, adding that this in most cases negates the concerns of individual security.
The billionaire business mogul and politician therefore recommended individual security rather than state security even as he stressed that in the hierarchy of security concern , stakeholders should look at it from individual security to the others. ” If individuals are secure , the state will be secure and the country will be secure. Thus, laws that will foster individual security should be the task before the State Assembly. ”
Senator Ibrahim noted with concern that the crisis that erupted as a follow up to the #endsarsprotest# at Leki in Lagos State alludes to the concerns of individual security and the protest spread to every part of the Southwest including Ondo South, stressing that this is an eye opener as regards the need to factor the security of individuals into the ideals of governance as a people who feel secure will downplay anarchy.
While noting that international system is anarchic in outlook as the global bodies such as League of Nations and United Nations which evolved after the extinction of League of Nations cannot enforce punishment beyond sanctions that are at best administrative, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim said this gives room for inter- country crisis.
On the challenge Boko Haram insurgency has placed before state security in The Northeast, Senator Ibrahim said not even the military has been able to dissuade Boko Haram because it is a non conventional war and conventional or combatant warfare may not do well to quell the insurgency. In his frank view, Dr. Ibrahim advocated domestic socialization to end the Boko Haram security challenge in the Northeast.
” If I am asked what will be my security policy, I will not bat an eyelid to say individual security is the way to go.The best way to start security is to start from individual security agenda. Lot of money goes into security vote; let this slough fund cater to the concerns of individuals to shore up their confidence and strengthen their resolve to ward off traces of security challenges in their neighborhood and you will be able to govern your federating territory in peace,” Senator Jimoh Ibrahim suggested.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim in his advice to the horde of youthful members of OSAWA counseled them to take education seriously, stressing that the only thing that will stand them out in this contemporary society is the quality of academic certificates they arm themselves with to brace the future. ” Your concern for the advancement of the state is commendable but I challenge you to show same concern for your academic growth and pursuit. Take your education seriously and you will boldly stand not just before mere men but before kings and people in higher authority. The only thing that will stand you out from ordinary people in the market place of ideas is your ability to improve on your education. As I stand before you, I have nine quality degrees including two PhDs in foreign Ivy league universities; if I am this old and I do not recoil at the idea of furthering my studies, reading hard and studying more, you have no reason to surrender to mediocrity, ” Senator Jimoh Ibrahim added.
