Senior Pastor of Kingsway International Christian Centre, Matthew Ashimolowo, has called on the Federal Government to include National Youth Service Corps members in the country’s security-awareness structure.
Ashimolowo said the move would strengthen early detection of threats in communities and help young Nigerians understand their role in national safety.
He spoke during an interview on Channels Television on Thursday.
“All our NYSC guys, community service, we should train all of them to be aware. They see somebody just smoking hemp, not even committing any crime as yet. Then the security level will increase,” he said.
He stated that Nigeria must involve more citizens in its security efforts, noting that the President’s recent steps to deploy more officers and soldiers deserve public support.
“Nigeria needs a turnaround. Let’s stand behind our president. Now that he has called for more policing, for more soldiers, let’s stand behind our president,” he added.
Ashimolowo compared Nigeria’s situation with Israel’s compulsory service system, saying youths there gain strong awareness from early years. “Anytime I go to Israel, I’m amazed. Israel’s army is for 18-year-olds. You serve in the Israeli army from 18 to 22,” he said.
He however cautioned against allowing state police to be misused by political authorities. “State police may work, but I tell you, it will end up becoming the personal army of somebody who will begin to use it at some point to terrorise others,” he warned.
Ashimolowo expressed concern over the vulnerability of Nigeria’s youth population, saying criminals could tempt them with money.
“Sixty percent of Nigeria is under 30. And if you don’t quickly harness them, and they hear how much the kidnappers collected… money you cannot earn with a master’s or with a PhD. People will be tempted. Let’s raise the security level. Let’s make our people proud to be Nigerians,” he said.
He also urged the country to build national pride and put its intellectual strength to use, noting that Nigerians remain admired across Africa for their resilience.
