Abdulsalami: Weak Governance Drives Insecurity
The former head of state, retired Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar, has pointed out that poverty, unemployment, and ineffective governance are significant factors contributing to the growing insecurity in the Sahel.
He made these comments while serving as the Chairman at the inaugural annual lecture of the News Agency of Nigeria on Thursday in Abuja. The lecture’s theme was “Insecurity in the Sahel, 2008 to 2024: Dissecting Nigeria’s Challenges, Genesis, Impact, and Options.” Abdulsalami also noted that climate change and environmental degradation, among other issues, have created a conducive environment for insecurity to flourish in the region.
He said, “At the heart of the insecurity in this region, among other factors, are the undercurrents of poverty and unemployment and the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
“Also weak governance and institutional failures, as well as climate change and environmental degradation. These factors have certainly created a fertile ground for insecurity to thrive, with devastating impacts on our dear nation.
“We must not, however, lose faith in our capacity to ride above the storms of insecurity, since this challenge is the business of every Nigerian, and indeed, all Africans.”
He stated that the situation’s impact is harmful to Nigeria and the Sahel, especially in hindering their development. Saying, “Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be divorced from the regional heritage in the Sahel, a vast landmass that encompasses the troubled countries of Burkina, Chad, Mali, and Cameroon.
In the year 2020, a whopping 4,660 people were killed in this region, while another 2,600 civilians lost their lives in banditry attacks in 2021.”
Further, he raised the problem of insecurity and required concerted efforts to address the situation. “We must work together to fight insecurity because we owe our children, the future generation, the duty to create a secured nation.”
He applauded NAN for organising the lecture, noting that it would spark a constructive and insightful discussion aimed at addressing the issue. He further stated that the event is timely, given the increasing efforts by the government and other stakeholders to tackle the situation.
He said, “At such a trying time in our national life, this effort to enliven public discourse on the debilitating challenges of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, for ransom, malignancy, and violent violence, among others, will go a long way in providing solutions aimed at boosting our security architecture.”
Abubakar stated that the event would offer a platform for stakeholders to identify the key players involved, pinpoint the root causes, and propose sustainable solutions.
“This lecture tackles terrorism, kidnapping, and violence, which will go a long way in proffering solutions to insecurity in the country.
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Content Credit| Igbakuma Rita Doom
Picture Credit | https://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2022/06/20/former-head-of-state-abdulsalami-abubakar-may-have-suffered-stroke/
https://www.researchgate.net/figure/cluster-analysis-map-of-Nigeria-insurgency_fig1_379001758
