Immediate past Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has called on Nigerians to back President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his ongoing efforts to tackle insecurity across the country.
Mohammed made the appeal on Thursday while delivering the 15th Convocation Lecture at Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State.
He described national security as a shared responsibility that requires both government action and citizens’ participation.
Speaking on the lecture titled “Don’t Just Graduate, Innovate,” Mohammed stressed that no president would want his country to be insecure.
He noted that insecurity is a global challenge, affecting even advanced nations, driven by technological threats, terrorism, and transnational crime.
“There is no president who would want his country to be insecure. The change we are all looking for must begin with each of us. Security is a local issue. Our security is local. Actionable intelligence is part of it.”
“The president is doing his best to fight insecurity, but insecurity is worldwide. It’s global,” Mohammed said.
The former minister urged Nigerians to provide constructive support rather than cynicism for the federal government’s efforts.
He highlighted the importance of community vigilance, intelligence sharing, and citizen engagement in the fight against crime.
Addressing the graduating students, Mohammed encouraged them to embrace innovation, resilience, and adaptability, noting that a university degree no longer guarantees a lifelong career.
“Graduation is a wonderful achievement, but a degree is not a guarantee. The world is unpredictable, messy, and full of opportunities you may not even see coming. Don’t be afraid to fail. Failures are not dead ends. They are turning points,” he said.
Mohammed further advised the youths to continually reinvent themselves, especially as artificial intelligence and automation reshape global job markets.
“The future belongs to graduates who can think independently, create new solutions, and adapt quickly to change. Treat your degree as a launchpad for innovation, not a final destination,” he added.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Prof. Bode Ayorinde, commended the choice of lecture topic, describing it as timely and aligned with the institution’s mission to produce graduates who create jobs rather than merely seek them.
He affirmed Achievers University’s zero-tolerance stance on indiscipline, saying: “We have rusticated students and refunded their money for misconduct. We don’t sell certificates. Our culture is academic integrity and discipline—no drug abuse, no cultism.”
