Security challenges facing Nigeria: A solution

The most worrisome fact is that this incessant violence apart from killing and maiming innocent souls has imprinted agony, tension and aggression in the minds of Nigerians. Today, we live in absolute suspicion and constant presentiment of an impending disaster. Most economic activities have come to a halt and private businesses are crippling with the […]

The most worrisome fact is that this incessant violence apart from killing and maiming innocent souls has imprinted agony, tension and aggression in the minds of Nigerians. Today, we live in absolute suspicion and constant presentiment of an impending disaster. Most economic activities have come to a halt and private businesses are crippling with the result of the inability of employers to pay their employees. There is rarely government function taking place publicly compared to the previous years. All these are the direct aftermath of insecurity in the Country.

Be that as it may, we should not fold our hands and leave the affairs of the nation to continue moving in the negative direction. Resigning to fate has never been a solution to any form of mayhem world over. While appreciating the efforts of the government in the area of security, all hands must be on deck to solve the immense security challenges so that we will all have a better country to live; a country where peace and tranquility will reign and where the posterity will call a fatherland.

Mr. President while taking note that security is not a one man affair; both the government and the citizenry have a role to play; partnership is indispensable in curbing security challenges. While the citizens are expected to be patriotic, vigilant and proactive, the government needs to provide an enabling and bedlam free environment for the peaceful co existence of all and sundry.

In our considered opinion, the insecurity is caused by three (among others) major factors with their respective solutions to wit:

(a) Illiteracy (b) Unemployment (c) Disregard of traditional security measures.

ILLITRACY:

Illiteracy is a major factor militating against the peaceful co existence of this country. Nigeria is a country with over 150million people and a huge number of the population are youths, most of whom are partially or uneducated at all. The literacy rate is one of the major distinctions between the developed and the developing countries like Nigeria. Thus every citizen must be accorded the opportunity to undergo the formal education.  By this formal education, ignorance and all forms of excessive and barbaric behaviors will be wiped out from the society. If a citizen will be given the privilege (i.e. sponsorship of attaining school) then his/her actions and response to civic duties would change for the better.

It is indeed worrisome to note that the few young men and women that are privileged to acquire a higher education rarely get employed. A close look at the number of graduating students from our higher institutions on a yearly basis will reveal that many are graduates with limited or no jobs on ground.  In 2006 as a case study, about 250,000 went for the compulsory National Youth Service Corps, meaning about 250,000 corps members are among the graduates for that particular year, noting that the scheme is now operating in batches. Suppose these youth did not go to school, a great number of them would have turn miscreants in the society.

It is clear that majority of Nigerians living in the rural areas are either illiterates or do not have the opportunity to further their education beyond primary school because of  lack of sponsorship and a near absence of guidance and counseling. It is clear that the few that further their education end up with National Certificate of Education (NCE) or at best a Diploma. The drop outs become miscreants, others vagabonds and some others a nuisance to the society. Others strive for survival and as such migrate to the cities for petty businesses like okada riding and some stay back and engage in local farming. This phenomenon is a major cause of rural-urban migration in Nigeria today. Therefore, if ignorance is wiped out by making it compulsory and encouraging our youth to acquire formal education, at least 50% of the insecurity challenges facing our country will be addressed.

UNEMPLOYMENT:

The rate of unemployment is quite alarming. The number of unemployed youth is disastrous. Nigeria is a youthful country. These youth are assets not liability and therefore must be engaged either by means of employment or empowerment. If an unemployed young man or woman will stay without necessities of life such as food and shelter, it will definitely tell on the nation.  It is without doubt that the poor and the hungry are not only anxious but vulnerable. They can be used to perpetrate evils with a token. More so, it is a law of nature that man must survive, and if there is no lawful means of survival people will be forced by circumstances (not minding the consequences) to survive.

Assuming but not conceding that each Nigerian youth is a graduate, not all of them will be absorbed in the workforce of the government. However, the government is required to see to it that everyone in the society is empowered. If everyone in the society is engaged, then the society would be better.

Mr. President will similarly agree with us that majority of the youths in the rural areas are farmers. Therefore agricultural loans like tractors, farming implements and fertilizers must be provided to them. The youths must form associations in the respective business names they carry out and revolving soft loan be perpetually provided to them. The government should make this realistic as a most for the youths in all the municipalities. The youths need to be enlightened and supported. If this is not done they will continue to be a threat to peace and security.

It is our humble belief that, if the above is implemented, in few years industries would be set up for processing of the farm products. It is all about determination, focus and sincere commitment of the government.

DISREGARD OF TRADITIONAL SECURITY MEASURES:

Another way to curb the insecurity is by reverting to the old traditional system of governance which Nigerians have confidence on. For instance in the north, the Ward Head (Mai unguwa); District Head (Dagachi) and; Village Head (Sarki) be recognized. The Ward Head most have a comprehensive register of the number of houses/occupants within his Ward and the name of persons and their occupations living in the ward. The District head should also keep records of the register of all the Wards under his District. That also applies to the Village Head.

These traditional rulers should on weekly basis report the activities and any development that transpired within the week to their respective senior heads and security personnel. This is in addition to the daily patrol by the police.

We believe the above suggestion, among other steps, will ultimately expose any stranger within the Ward, District or Village. With this any trouble maker can easily be traced. This system should be modernized to accommodate the modern/urban structure of our type.

In conclusion, we strongly advocate for self employment and entrepreneurship rather than waiting for employment, especially among the youth. Nigeria is a lucky nation because the youth are active and productive. What they need is finance, encouragement, regulation, mentorship, political inclusion, skill development and acquisition.  If these issues analyzed above are taken seriously by the government and the stakeholders, the insecurity challenges facing our dear nation will be minimized if not brought to an end.

Dembo, Esq. and Mustapha Esq can be reached through [email protected] and [email protected] respectively