Izuchukwu OkosiChairman House Committee on Information and Public Affairs, Honourable Akin Rotimi has decried the recent killings of traditional leaders in Ekiti State and urged the Presidency and Security agencies to ensure that such tragedies are averted in future.
There has also been the kidnappings of school pupils and their teachers which has elicited widespread condemnation from Nigerians across the world.
Honourable Rotimi was guest on a Channels Television programme monitored by Prime Business Africa.
”It is a sacrilege, it is an abomination and a tragedy that two highly revered traditional rulers in one day can be so tragically cut down,” the member of the House of Assembly stated ruefully.
“I’ve had cause to raise the issue of security in my constituency. Overall, it’s an emotional moment but despite that, the question is beyond the constituency. What are the concrete steps we’re taking to address this issue.
“On the security summit that we had on Tuesday, Rt Honourable Abbas Tajudeen announced that we are going to have a legislative agenda of the 10th House to put robust engagement with Nigerians and stakeholders,” Rotimi noted.
“Aside all these, on electoral reforms with YIAGA Africa, there was an electoral summit that was held where far-reaching decisions were also derived and the electoral reforms were one of the crucial points made.
Speaking on the abducted school children and their teachers, in Ekiti State, Honourable Rotimi said: “I wouldn’t want to preempt and usurp the role of the State Governor as the Chief Security Officer of the State. However, I’m aware that six children are being held against their will and three teachers, including their driver, I believe.
“My own duty is to bring it to the floor of the Assembly. We need to understand everybody’s role. Instructions and directives were given to the security agencies to ensure that these things are addressed.
“As you know, Mr President also issued a statement on this. It’s just unthinkable that children on their way from school will be kidnapped. If it has got to this level, everybody should be worried.
“I also want to put this challenge to Mr President and the Security agencies. Nigerians are beginning to have statement fatigue and want actions.
On the issue of state autonomy for policing, he clarified that not all state have signed up for it but declared: “it will be looked at in the 10th Assembly.”
The House of Assembly is on a recess and will resume on Tuesday, 6 February 2024.
Izuchukwu Okosi is a Nigerian sports and entertainment journalist with two decades of experience in the media industry having begun his media journey in 2002 as an intern at Mundial Sports International (MSI) and Africa Independent Television (AIT), owners of Daar Communications Plc.
In October 2004, Okosi joined Complete Communications Limited, publishers of Complete Sports newspaper and Complete Football magazine as a reporter and later script writer for the Complete Sports studio.
He worked there for 13 years until October 2017.
Okosi also worked various times as Correspondent, Content creator and Editor at Sports Market International Magazine, Opera News, All Nigeria Soccer Media and Iconic Media Watch.
He also undertook freelance writing gigs for some local and international organizations.
Okosi is a member of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Association of Movie Producers (AMP), Association of Voiceover Artistes of Nigeria (AVOA), Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) and Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ).
He has been part of cast in some Nollywood movies and radio dramas including Blood Money 2, Scores To Settle, Dead End 2, Another Campus Tale and Battle Line.
Aside mainstream media and the entertainment industry, he has interests in scouting/unearthing of talents in the sports and creative sectors, exports business and property development.
