Obaigbena Advocates Security Tax to Effectively Fund Armed Forces

•Urges Buhari to sign electoral act amendment

Peter Uzoho

The Chairman of THISDAY Group and ARISE News Channel, Prince Nduka Obaigbena has advised the federal government to introduce security tax in order to effectively fund security agencies and curb the rising cases of insecurity in the country.

In addition, Obaigbena, who spoke at the First Memorial Lecture to honour the late founding chairman of the Leadership Newspaper, Sam Nda-Isaiah on Tuesday, also urged President Muhammadu Buhari to sign the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law.

Speaking during a panel session on ‘The Big Ideas,’ he stressed that securing Nigerians was a key challenge facing the present government.

“So, one way I believe is to have a security tax. We all pay taxes every day to secure ourselves. So, if we have a security tax that is managed by a trusteeship, they can have the equipment, then I think we can go somewhere,” he said.

According to him, signing the 2021 Electoral Act Amendment Bill into law was necessary to enthrone a sound electoral system where every vote counts.

“We need to have a sound electoral process where every vote counts. So, I urge the minister of information and culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, to ensure that the Electoral Act Amendment Bill is signed immediately and then we begin to look for leaders who will position our country for the next generations,” the publisher added.

Obaigbena also called for a national consensus to identify big ideas ones and to begin to implement them, “so as to put our houses in order to secure the lives and property, and educate people, provide water supply and other basic things.”

He added: “We can also solve these problems by restructuring the way revenue is distributed so that the states don’t come begging the federal government for one thing or the other.”

He also paid tributes not only to the late Sam Nda-Isaiah, but also to three other senior journalists who died recently – Samaila Isah Funtua, Wada Maida and the late chief of staff to the president, Abba Kyari.

On his part, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, said the late media guru did not die in vain, as he impacted many lives positively.

Mustapha said the late pharmacist and politician touched lives, uplifted the down-trodden and provided comfort to those that had lost hope.

Describing Nda-Isaiah’s death as a big loss to Nigeria, Mustapha said his life was one of service, passion, doggedness and living for country.

“Sam’s life was a clear and resounding message, subtle in its delivery and profound with its impact. A message of service, passion, commitment, loyalty, doggedness, love for country and legacy.

“Sam gave meaning to the age-old truism that it is not how long but how well we live our lives that matters,” Mustapha who was chairman of the memorial event said yesterday in Abuja.

“The lives he touched, the processes he changed, the down-trodden that he uplifted, the advice he gave for the good of the country and even the comfort he provided for those that have lost hope are already speaking for him,” he stated.

In her address, the wife of the president, Aisha Buhari, described the late Nda-Isaiah as a personality that will be forever remembered by every Nigerian.

The First Lady said Nigerians would remember the deceased not only because they loved him, but also because of how he lived his life and the many ways he impacted people’s lives positively.

“We converge here to remember Sam who left us a year ago. We remember him today as we have done since he left and we will remember him tomorrow and for the rest of our lives.

“To Zainab (his wife), you have been very strong since Sam’s departure, please remain strong. The children, the family, his business empire, and the rest of us need you more than ever because your strength and visibility give us a sense of Sam’s presence.

“We will surely miss you, Sam, and but we take comfort that you have lived a good and memorable life. I pray that your soul may continue to rest in peace,” Aisha Buhari added.

Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, described the late Nda-Isaiah as a patriot who was interested in a united and peaceful Nigeria.

“He was always patriotic and ready to help in affairs of the state. His dream was for a united and peaceful Nigeria. The late Sam Nda-Isaiah will be happy that he is remembered by those he called friends.

“Sam was a brother, but above all, Sam was a patriot. He loved Nigeria and believed in possibility. He did not participate on the sidelines; he was one of the aspirants to fly the flag of the APC after the merger.

“His passion for Nigeria never waned after losing the ticket to President Muhammadu Buhari,” he added.

According to the information minister, the late Nda-Isaiah used his medium to constructively criticise government but also believed that government needed support.

“I admired his willingness to do anything for Nigeria. I miss him a lot because he was a standing board for me,” he said.

On how government has met its campaign promises, he said it was rare for any aspirant to understand how bad a situation was unless he/she assumes office to face the stark reality.

He said the government had committed resources to fighting insecurity which would have been used to create jobs and provide infrastructure.

Chief Executive Officer, Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru, said the late Sam Nda-Isaiah’s political ambition was driven by his conviction that Nigeria’s woes could easily be fixed.

Kuru, in his tribute during the lecture to honour Sam Nda-Isaiah, said he had never come across such a passionate person like Sam.

Kuru further remarked that Nda-Isaiah saw potential in every idea and pursued all initiatives and opportunities concurrently, thereby always running thin on resources.