As the New Islamic Calendar Year 1447 begins today, the Muslim Media Watch Group of Nigeria has called for tackling the problems of insecurity and corruption in Nigeria holistically.
In a Press Statement issued today jointly signed by Sheikh Abu Sheriff on behalf of the National Coordinator of the Group and National Secretary Dr. Nasir Balogun, the Group identified insecurity and corruption as most serious problems facing the Country presently.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Military so far on tackling the menace of insecurity, the Group stated that the issue of drug addiction and alcoholism plays dominant in prolonging insecurity in the Country.
It sighted the effort of NAFDAC in reducing alcoholism among tte youths in the Country some months ago, which made NAFDAC to ban production of alcohol in sachets and questioned the involvement of some National Assembly members in questioning the action of NAFDAC which resulted in asking NAFDAC to suspend action on the ban.
The Media Group maintained that there is a nexus between alcoholism and insecurity as youths in Nigeria are being exposed to free-flow of alcohol which could be purchased anywhere; adding that this poses great dangers to the Nation’s security.
The Group condemned emphasis laid on economic benefit to alcoholic drinks’ traders being emphasised by legislators while ignoring the damage consumption of alcohol is doing to the Society at large.
MMWG therefore called on NAFDAC to rise-up to the challenge posed by indiscriminate sale and consumption of alcohol in Nigeria by enforcing its ban; and warned NASS Members to refrain from dabbling into matters that does not concern them – rather they should face their legislative duties pointing out that NAFDAC is operating under the laws that established it.
On drug addiction, the Group commended the Chairman of NDLEA Rtd Brigadier-General Mohammed Marwa for the good job he is doing to rid the Nation of hard-drugs stating that in all areas of insecurity in Nigeria, evidence of hard-drug consumption is prominent; hence the situation need be brought under control.
On corruption, the Media Group believed that our laws have been lenient with looters of our Treasuries insisting that this need be looked into warning that if all economic crimes continue to enjoy bails condition and Plea Bargaining continues, the Nation Treasuries would be emptied soon. It reiterated its call for bench-marking bailable economic crimes and scrapping of Plea Bargaining which it said has been promoting corruption in Nigeria
The Group finally appealed to all Muslims to continue to be law-abiding and refrain from unlawful activities capable of promoting insecurity in the country in the New Year and wished all Muslims Happy Islamic Calendar Year 1447 AH.
