By PHILOMINA ATTAH

The President, Nigerian Baptist Convention (NBC), Rev. Israel Akanji, has proposed licensing of private security initiatives to support the police and military in tackling insecurity across Nigeria.

The cleric proffered the solution on Friday in Abuja, at a press briefing ahead of the Convention’s 113th Annual Session, scheduled to hold from April 18 to April 23.

The News Agency of (NAN) reports the 2026 session will gather thousands of delegates at the Baptist International Convention Centre (BICC), Kubwa, Abuja, for spiritual revival and national prayers

Akanji argued that community-based efforts could strengthen national response to the nation’s worsening insecurity.

“Just as private entities have successfully complemented the government in health and education, licenced community-based security could offer a more robust defense against internal threats,” he said

The cleric expressed worry over the boldness of bandits and terrorists who now share viral videos of their victims, describing it as an affront to the nation’s dignity.

He maintained that without adequate security, developmental strides in critical sectors like education and agriculture would be frustrated.

“The biggest of the nation’s challenge is insecurity.

“It is an affront on the entire nation when a Nigerian military General is captured, killed and made viral on social media,” he said.

The cleric called on President Bola Tinubu to decisively confront the nation’s security challenges, describing the current situation as an “unbearable and threat to national survival”.

Speaking on the economy, the NBC leader commended the ongoing reforms but emphasised the need for strict monitoring across all levels of government to ensure Nigerians feel the positive impact.

He also expressed concerns over the mass migration of skilled youths, known as the “Japa” syndrome, noting that many risk their lives on dangerous routes only to develop other nations while Nigeria remains underdeveloped.

"Government actions must be seen to drastically reduce these trends by creating opportunities at home,” he added.

Akanji called for a state of emergency in the education sector to tackle the rising number of out-of-school children and to modernise curricula to foster self-employment.

While praising the Lagos-Calabar highway project, he urged the government to fix dilapidated roads and enhance the railway system to increase road durability and passenger safety.

The cleric also tasked the Aviation Ministry to investigate the high cost of air travel, which he said has forced many Nigerians to travel through neighboring countries.

On politics, the NBC President advised leaders to prioritise governance over 2027 electioneering, urging a spirit of sportsmanship among politicians.

Whoever does his work well now needs not fear the coming 2027 elections because people’s work will speak for them,” Akanji said.

Reflecting on history, he noted that the Baptist work in Nigeria, now 176 years old, shares a timeline with the nation’s history.

According to him, the Baptist Church formed its national convention in 1914 the same year as Nigeria’s amalgamation.

He highlighted the Church’s legacy in human capital development through institutions like the Baptist Academy in Lagos and the Nigerian Baptist Theological Seminary, Ogbomoso. (NAN)

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