The Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu has said bandits operating in Nigeria are nothing short of terrorists and should be addressed as such.
He said the activities of these bandit terrorists have made people live in constant fear of the unknown because they feel unsafe in their own land due to the rising insecurity caused by these criminals.
The Ondo Governor, however, added that government at all levels in Nigeria must devise means to make the nation safe as this is the only way to encourage growth and development and no country grows amidst insecurity.
Akeredolu made the submissions in Akure the state capital when he received members of the Governing Board of the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) led by the Chairman, Ambassador Godknows Boladie Igali in his office.
In his words, ”the people are living in fear and something must be done urgently to address the situation and restore hope to the minds of the people.
“Look at what is happening in Zamfara. They try to clothe it and call them bandits. They are terrorists.
”So, the growth in science can not be based on just your charge but the conducive environment in the country.”
Akeredolu, who happens to also double as the Chairman of the Southern Governors Forum said before any country can talk of technological growth, the lives of the citizens and residents must be secure.
He said the government must create a conducive atmosphere for the people to thrive and go about their everyday activities.
”To achieve Nigeria’s goals for Science and Technological advancement, the country must be made conducive for living, particularly for the young ones.
“For us in science and technology, we need to do more. Japanese, Chinese, and other developed countries send people to where science is the best. We have heard of countries that send their people to the USA to train in Science and Technology.
“They didn’t stay there. They went back to their country to develop it.
“Commitment to one’s country is key. But we need to make this country a livable place so that the young ones will be confident and have hope to live in this country.”
On the issue of open grazing of animals, Akeredolu noted that development and technological advancements in animal husbandry have made open grazing obsolete and Nigeria needs to flow with the trend as well.
He explained that this is why he and some other Governors have banned open grazing in their domains to embrace the technology of animal husbandry, noting that their decision has come to stay.
He called on all stakeholders to key into the new move and embrace change as the way forward.
“Today, I can say there are modern ways of animal husbandry and we have to take the bull by the horns.
“We are not afraid to take decisions. Modernity has taught us that you can extract more milk from cows in a modern way better than when you take them from one place to another. It is about science. People have developed that science.
“I’m happy when I see Mr President go to Katsina and visit his cows. They are well kept. The technology of animal husbandry, we must embrace it.”
The Governor praised FUTA for its dedication to research which is a prerequisite for advancement, noting that his administration will continue to collaborate with the institution.
“We take pride in FUTA and its achievements over time. And I have had serious connections with FUTA not only as a Governor.
“We have a strong relationship with FUTA. FUTA for us is one of the leading universities of technology in Nigeria if not the leading. One of our lecturers won the best researcher award in the country. I congratulate you.
The Chairman of the FUTA Governing Council, Ambassador Godknows Boladie Igali was accompanied on the visit by the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Joseph Adeola Fuwape.
