,,,Calls for Stronger public Investment in Health and Education.
Dr.Abdulrahman Segun Mimiko.
By Dada Ahmed in Osara.
Former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Abdulrahman Segun Mimiko, has urged the Federal Government to decentralise Nigeria’s security architecture as a sustainable solution to the nation’s persistent security challenges.
Vice Chancellor Confluence University of Science and Technology,CUSTECH Osara, reading his address of welcome at the occasion.
He made the call on Friday while delivering the Maiden Convocation Lecture of the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), Osara, Kogi State. The lecture, held at the university’s Faculty of Law Auditorium, formed part of activities marking the combined first and second convocation ceremonies.
Mimiko, who slightly deviated from his lecture topic, “Ill-health and Illiteracy: Siblings’ Alliance Against Development,”to comment on the security challenges in the country,described rising insecurity as the most pressing problem confronting Nigeria.
He argued that a decentralised police system would strengthen the capacity of states to respond effectively to security threats, particularly at the grassroots.
According to him, Nigeria has an abundance of young people who can be absorbed into such a policing structure.
Mimiko, who praised the federal government for approving the recruitment of 20,000 new police personnel alongside other measures, said the most effective solution to Nigeria’s growing security challenges is the decentralization of the nation’s security architecture.
He noted that although about two million candidates sit for JAMB annually, only about 400,000 gain admission into tertiary institutions, leaving a large pool of youths available for engagement.
Speaking on the core theme of his lecture, Mimiko, a medical doctor, stressed the need for increased public investment in health and education to improve productivity, reduce poverty, and support national development.
“It cannot be overemphasised that there must be deliberate and substantial investment in education, skill acquisition, research and health.
” These are essential to building the productive and innovative workforce needed to drive emerging industrial and service sectors,” he said.
He added that since government revenues have risen significantly since 2023,following fiscal reforms including fuel subsidy removal and exchange rate adjustments,there is now greater capacity for massive public investment in health and education.
Such investment, he noted, is crucial to ensuring equitable and universal access, which will produce the well-equipped citizenry required for sustainable development.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of CUSTECH, Prof. Abdulrahman Asipita Salawu, said the choice of Mimiko as lecturer was deliberate and strategic.
He explained that Ondo State remains a valuable neighbour to Kogi, adding that during Mimiko’s tenure as governor, he improved the welfare of the large number of Kogi residents living in the state.
The Chairman of the occasion and Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Aliyu Umar Yusuf, commended Mimiko for delivering a well-researched and insightful lecture.
He also praised the state government for its commitment to simultaneously funding three state-owned universities.
Our Correspondent reports that highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of a plaque to Dr. Mimiko by the Pro-Chancellor of CUSTECH, Emeritus Professor Olu Obafemi.
The event attracted participants from various walks of life, including members of the Kogi Central Think Tank Forum, academics from several universities, industrialists, and other distinguished guests.
