Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta State and vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), in the 2023 general election has said that insecurity and poverty currently bogging the country is still at a high rate.
He said the situation was a result of bad seed the country sowed a few years back.
Okowa stated this at the 11th Zik Lecture Series held at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, on Wednesday.
The Governor described the security situation in Nigeria as a hydra-headed monster that has undermined public safety and threatened the continued existence of Nigeria as one united, indivisible country.
“The surge in mass kidnappings, insurgency, banditry, herder-farmer conflicts, ritual killings, and other acts of terrorism is, to say the least, frightening. With the advance in technology, terrorists are becoming more sophisticated in their operations, using more advanced technologies including drones, GPS systems, and encrypted messaging services to spread propaganda and recruit others into their network.
“It is my considered view that Nigeria is reaping the harvest of the bad seed it sowed a few years back by obliging kidnappers with ransom payments. It was a fatal mistake that spawned a huge industry in kidnapping.
“There is also a strong link between increased terrorism and inequality and inequitable distribution of wealth. The widening gulf between the rich and the poor in our country is alarming.
“Equally alarming is the poverty rate, which stood at 40 per cent in 2021, and is believed to be around 45 per cent in 2022, which translates to 90 million citizens living below the poverty line. This has led to disenchantment and feelings of alienation among our teeming youth population, leading to rise in cybercrimes, kidnappings, ritual killings, and other violent acts that undermine our national security.”
Okowa, who serve as Chairman of the occasion, said other contributory factors to the current state of insecurity in the country include the absence of a modern security architecture; easy access to weapons by citizens, lopsidedness in power sharing, religious bigotry and intolerance; and the lack of respect for the fundamental human rights of the citizens by the government.
Proffering solutions, Okowa said: “Going forward, we need to urgently draw up a holistic plan to address our security challenges in the short, medium, and long term.
“Aside from a modern security architecture anchored on technology, we must muster the political will to deal decisively with criminals, regardless of their ethnic groups, religions, or status.
“This is imperative to tackle the problem of herdsmen/farmers conflict, which is fast becoming the greatest threat to our nation’s unity and economic well-being.
“The nomadic Muslim Fulani pastoralists and the largely Christian farmers of various ethnicities have continued to clash resulting in loss of farmlands, economic crops, cattle, and lives.
“This threat to our country’s stability and unity needs to be tackled urgently to reduce the level of insecurity and to ensure food security. It is my considered view that ranching and cattle colonies with the support of the Federal Government is a way out of this quagmire.
“Furthermore, criminal herdsmen must be apprehended and made to face the law, and Internally Displaced Persons need to be quickly resettled in their homes.”
Speaking about the forthcoming election, Okowa said he is optimistic that in line with the guidelines of the new Electoral Act, which compels the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and electronic transmission of results, hijacking of ballot boxes and other election-related violence will reduce.
He added that as much as Nigeria needs a strong leader, it also needs to build strong institutions. He mentioned Nigeria’s institutions that need to be strengthened to include Police, media, judiciary, legislature, INEC among others.
The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Pro. Charles Esimone, while welcoming the participants, noted that the University under his watch is constructing a Legislative building complex to provide an infrastructure platform to further the capacity for good governance in the country.
The building will be named after Senator Ndi Obi.
The Host, Prof. Uche Nwagwugwu, in his brief remark, said the Zik’s Lecture series is the University’s most prominent academic event with International visibility and has attracted eminent dignitaries as well as outstanding Scholars.
Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, who was the Guest Lecturer, describe Zik as a symbol of Nigeria who was among the leaders who fought for the unity of this country.
He appealed to the Federal Government to release IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, to pave way for a peace and tranquillity in the South East geo-political zone.
The Pilot is dedicated to taking credible journalism to the next level. Story sections are tailored to variety of consumers based on their social, political, and economic interests. As an operational charge, we connect a variety of people, politics, and cultures worldwide through our news outlets, digital and studio content, television, film, live events, products, production and more. For major story tips, you may contact us directly at pilot@westafricanpilotnews.com
Latest posts by Pilotnews (see all)
previous
Persons With Disabilities Push For Reduction Of Transitory Period During Public Hearing In Enugu
next
