President Bola Tinubu has described the recent spate of kidnappings and bandit attacks in the country as disturbing, ungodly, and sinister.
According to his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, the president condemned the development at a reception for a delegation of Jam’iyyatu Ansaridden, a highly respected Islamic Movement, at the State House, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Tinubu said while security agencies were acting with dispatch to immediately address the current challenge, all required resources, policies and plans would be rolled out soon for the massive education of Nigerian youths.
The president said education is the antidote to the troubles agitating the nation, adding, “There is no weapon against poverty that is as potent as learning.
“I can assure you that we are here to change the life of our people. We are here to promote peace, stability, and economic prosperity.
“We are dedicated to building a lasting peace with a focus on the comprehensive education of our children. We will get our teachers and their owners involved in an education process that will be relevant to the future of this country. It is important. Knowledge brought me here with your prayers and your support. Without knowledge, there is nothing to generate hope for mankind.”
The president also emphasised that it was important to promote updated knowledge through existing islamic learning institutions for youths in Northern Nigeria to speed up development in the region, in Nigeria, and throughout Africa.
“Please embark on special prayers. Embark on proper education for our youths. Kidnapping and banditry are not the way of God. Shedding each other’s blood is bad. And there can be no development without peace. It is only in the area of peace that we can eliminate poverty. We must work for peace in order for our economy to grow better,” the president said.
Leader of Jam’iyyatu Ansaridden, Sheikh Muhammad Lamine Niass encouraged the president to continue implementing his reform initiatives while affirming that his movement, which is reputed for its promotion of peace and tolerance, would continue to pray for Nigeria’s peaceful development.