Elder statesman, legal icon, and the founder of the prestigious Afe Babalolo University, Aare Afe Babalola has declared that Nigerians must fear and respect the Police. Just as in the way they regard the military, in order to guarantee order and security in the country.
Babalola stated this on Wednesday in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State at the 4th edition of the Aare Afe Babalola Distinguished Personality Lecture Series.
The theme for the lecture was entitled, ‘Insecurity, leadership and peace building in Nigeria: Dynamics and challenges. The event took place at the Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD).
Speaking at the event, Babalola said Nigeria’s laws should be amended so that the military would be saddled with the enforcement of law and order in the country.
He said, “For me, the military today, is the most disciplined institution in this country. The problem we have today in Nigeria is nothing other than lack of discipline. And this is right from leadership to the followership.
“How can there be security, leadership and peace when there is no order?” the luminary queried.
He said, “There is even a Biblical saying to wit; that order is the first law in heaven. As a person, I appreciate, and also enforce it.
“If an offender sees a policeman on an Okada, he does not accord any of them any iota of respect.
“However, when a man sees a soldier, he quickly comports himself. That is the quantum of respect often accorded the military.
“The time has, therefore, come for all of us to unite and ensure order. Because orderliness and discipline in our society are the only and the surest way forward.”
Making reference to the honorary Doctor of Letters, (D. Lit) conferred on him by the Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, in 2016, Babalola expressed surprise at the award. He, however, commended the type of uncommon discipline in the military.
According to him, the hall where the event held was not only perfectly quiet, but also nobody attempted to leave his or her seat throughout the duration.
“To me, that was the peak of orderliness and discipline. Before that day, I had believed that my university was the epitome of order, orderliness and discipline. Such that some are even saying ABUAD is more of a military institution.
“But with what I saw that day at NDA, I gave and still give kudos to the military for its discipline,” Babalola added.
Earlier in his lecture, the Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, Major Gen. John Ochai, expressed appreciation to compliments.
He noted that the Nigerian military is doing its possible best to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
Ochai, however, remarked that citizens should not expect 100 percent scorecard in that regard.
source: Daily Post
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