While our political paths may not align today, I want to recognize the former Governor and Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki (CON), during whose tenure I served as a security adviser. This privilege ignited my profound interest in security studies, ultimately culminating in the PhD degree we are celebrating today.

 

With heartfelt gratitude to the Almighty Allah, the All-powerful and Guardian of the world, I find myself at a pivotal juncture in my academic journey, a voyage that has spanned many significant years of my life and demanded unwavering commitment, unwavering focus, and unparalleled dedication. Indeed, the light is now visible at the end of the tunnel.

I wish to commence by expressing my deep appreciation to my parents, who not only led by example but also instilled in us a strong commitment to pursuing Islamic, Western, and cultural education. The pursuit of educational advancement remains an unquenchable endeavor, and I believe that today would have added another layer of joy to their hearts. I humbly beseech Allah to continue bestowing His blessings upon their souls, as well as those of our forebears and all the cherished members of our esteemed family, Ikokoro.

Furthermore, I extend my profound gratitude to my wife and children for their unwavering understanding, support, and love throughout this arduous journey. In addition, I wish to express my gratitude to all my friends, colleagues, and associates whose indelible impact on my career journey cannot be overstated.

I would be remiss not to acknowledge the invaluable supervisory roles of my supervisor(s) and all the lecturers at the Center for Peace and Strategic Studies. Your guidance and support have been instrumental, and for that, I am sincerely thankful.

In my capacity as a lawmaker representing the Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency, I take this moment to once again convey my appreciation to my constituents, regardless of their political affiliations, for their unwavering love and support. I also extend my gratitude to my political associates, the leaders, and elders of our political party, with a special mention of His Excellency, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq (CON). It may sound somewhat amusing, but I must place it on record that the demands of this role intensified as the campaign period coincided with the concluding phase of my academic program. It was undoubtedly a memorable chapter in my life.

As Ronald Reagan aptly stated, "Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the ability to handle conflict through peaceful means." If we bear in mind that we are all part of the same human family, we can persist in peace. It calls for understanding our differences and nurturing genuine love to coexist as a united family. The security of lives and property is a fundamental and constitutional duty of the government, but this responsibility can only be fully realized when we live with understanding and patriotism.

In my thesis, "Promoting Peaceful Co-existence through Resilience among Selected Feuding Communities in Kwara State, Nigeria (1990-2020)", I delved into the resilience factors among feudal communities in Kwara state. Drawing from my experience as a security expert, being the longest serving Special Adviser on Security in Nigeria, I recognize that the state's social and economic prosperity can be greatly enhanced if we uphold the peace and harmony that Kwara state represents.

While our political paths may not align today, I want to recognize the former Governor and Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki (CON), during whose tenure I served as a security adviser. This privilege ignited my profound interest in security studies, ultimately culminating in the PhD degree we are celebrating today.

Nigeria has, regrettably, witnessed numerous communal crises that have set the country back and squandered resources that could have been invested in other developmental projects. Kwara is no exception, as the few communal conflicts we have experienced have not only affected the communities involved but also the entire state. The use of state mechanisms to maintain peace can only be a temporary solution if we fail to understand one another. In the words of Albert Einstein, "Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding."

Meanwhile, in the pursuit of our vision for the ideal Kwara, it is imperative that we foster a peaceful coexistence, an environment built on understanding and harmony. Our unity should stand as a formidable force, surpassing any divisions based on religion or ethnicity.

In conclusion, as I extend my gratitude to everyone, I earnestly implore all of us to coexist with an appreciation for our differences and a commitment to patriotism.

Thank you! 

*Hon. Ahmed Yinka Aluko, PhD*

_Lawmaker Representing Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency_