The Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has identified illiteracy and poverty as major drivers of insecurity in Nigeria, noting that quality education remains the most sustainable pathway to lasting peace and national development.
The governor made the assertion on Thursday while delivering the inaugural lecture at the Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja Quarterly Guest Lecture Series, titled, “Insecurity and Education in Nigeria and the Quest for Development.”
“Nigeria has over the years, witnessed an unprecedented rise in insecurity, including Boko Haram insurgency, banditry, terrorism, kidnapping and herder-farmer conflicts, resulting in the loss of lives, destruction of property and displacement of many communities.
“Illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, inequality, weak institutions, poor governance, ethno-religious tensions and declining social values as the major factors driving insecurity across the country.
“Functional, accessible and compulsory education system would address the root causes of insecurity, including ignorance, poverty, religious extremism and unemployment, while promoting tolerance, peaceful coexistence and economic empowerment,” Governor Alia said.
The governor said addressing the nation’s security challenges requires efficient public service and strong institutions capable of delivering essential services and meeting the needs of citizens.
“Effective public service delivery would strengthen communities, promote economic growth and foster the social cohesion needed for sustainable peace and development,” he said.
The Governor noted that education remains a long-term solution to insecurity, advocatd for equitable education, lifelong learning, technical and vocational skills acquisition, teacher development and safe learning environments at all levels.
The governor also called for sustained reforms in Nigeria’s education sector alongside constitutional amendments, including the establishment of state police, to strengthen the country’s security architecture, improve governance and accelerate national development.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, Prof. Hakeem Awehinmi described the presentation by Governor Alia as insightful and valuable to scholarship and national development.
Veteran journalist and recipient of A.B.C Yola, Reporter of the Year Award (1997), Hassan Umar Shallpella, works with WAP as a Regional Correspondence. He was trained at Institute of Mass Communication and Technology Jos and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Training School Lagos.He was a News desk Editor and a Correspondent at the Punch newspaper and till 2019, was the Deputy Editor ofThe Scope newspaper.
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