Inside Kaduna State, Tragedy Strikes: A Minister's Account of a Father's Death Caused by Domestic Security Problems
Minister of Interior Shares Childhood Tragedy
Nigeria's Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has disclosed a personal loss from his past during a recent interview on Channels Television's Youth Forum. Tunji-Ojo revealed that his father was tragically killed in a religious crisis in Kaduna State in 1992 when he was merely 10 years old.
Speaking about the impact of this unfortunate event, the minister shared how it sent him reeling and challenged his upbringing. "My father perished owing to internal security issues. Tragically, he was slain during a religious upheaval in Kaduna State. That experience left me shaken and compelled me to look to my mother for support," Tunji-Ojo stated.
Tunji-Ojo further outlined how he took it upon himself to overcome the challenges he faced, eventually establishing a successful business before entering the public sector.
During the discussion, he expressed appreciation for President Bola Tinubu's initiatives aimed at rejuvenating the economy through reforms.
He added, "I welcome the fact that Mr. President had taken decisive actions. Prior to Mr. President's tenure, what we were spending for the present was the future.
"I was a member of the National Assembly when we were overseeing appropriations. Almost 90% of our revenue was dedicated to debt servicing, not repayment.
"It's impossible to allocate 90% of your revenue toward debt servicing and anticipate that the necessary resources for economic growth would be accessible."
In the broader context, Tunji-Ojo's narrative underscores ongoing issues of religious tension and security concerns in Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna State, where religious conflicts have historically led to violence. His personal experience as Minister of Interior may influence his approach to resolving these challenges within the country.
In the course of a recent interview, Nigeria's Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, recounted a childhood tragedy that occurred in Kaduna State in 1992, when bandits took the life of his father during a religious upheaval. This incident served as a catalyst, propelling Tunji-Ojo forth into the political arena and spurring him to establish a thriving business. Speaking of the current political landscape, he commended President Bola Tinubu's efforts to revitalize the Nigerian economy through reforms. He invoked the challenges of the past, stating, "What we were spending for the present was the future," expressing gratitude for Tinubu's decisive actions and expressing concerns about the lack of resources for economic growth when 90% of revenue was dedicated to debt servicing. Tunji-Ojo's narrative highlights not only the religious tensions and security concerns plaguing Nigeria, but also the ongoing issues of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice in the country. His personal experiences may inform his dedication to addressing these issues in his capacity as Minister of Interior.
