Naval chief  blames security challenge on breakdown of traditional and cultural values

Abiodun OBA

Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu-Gambo, the Chief of Naval Staff, has blamed the security challenge on the breakdown of traditional and cultural values.

Zubairu-Gambo stated this during an award night organised by his Almamata, Rumfa College, Kano, Old Boys Association (RUMFOBA), Class of ’84 in Kano.

He said, “When we were growing up, our father’s friends and neighbours were just like fathers to us, they could discipline us whenever we went wrong, but the situation has changed now.

“Parents pamper their children like eggs, they won’t even condone situations when the children are punished by their teachers in school.

“This has created lots of uncultured and deviant children in the society.

 “In those days, individuals, traditional and community leaders were always security conscious.

“Once a strange person is noticed in a community, the ward, community or district head is notified immediately and this helped in preventing crime.

“I think we should go back to that practice”.

Zubairu-Gambo thanked his schoolmates for the honour and prayed for the repose of the souls of those who died.

“I saw my cadet friends, we were the youngest during that time.

“I never knew that I will become the Chief of Naval Staff, I thank Allah for the honour,” he said.

Also honoured at the event were the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Auwalu Sarki and the Chief Medical Director, Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital (AKTH), Kano, Prof. Abdurrahman Sheshe.

Some of the members of the association at the event were AVM Ali Bello-Gaya and Deputy President, Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) Ali Muhammad Ali.

Dignitaries at the event included the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Mannir Babba-Danagundi, technocrats, political office holders at both state and federal levels, among others.

Zubairu-Gambo was in Kano for the Chief of Naval Staff Annual Conference (CONSAC), 2021.