Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma has identified youth unemployment and ethnic mistrust as the main root of criminality in Nigeria in particular and Africa in general.
Governor Uzodimma made the observation Monday when members of the Course 14 of the National Institute for Security Studies who were on study tour of Imo State paid a courtesy visit on him at Sam Mbakwe Executive Council Chambers Government House of Owerri, Imo State.
The Governor who gave a graphic history of Imo State and the efforts his Government is making towards containing insecurity in the State, told the Course 14 members of the Institute that unemployment and ethnic distrust are often fueled by insensitive public statements by some members of the political class for selfish and primordial considerations above national interest, and that they are the root of criminality in Nigeria and Africa in general.
He buttresses his facts that the nexus between idleness and criminality is why his administration is doing her best to engage Imo youths in productive ventures.
He therefore advocated the need to find the cure for the two cancerous ailments “as a panacea to Nigeria and Africa experiencing relative safety.”
The governor said his Government is working assiduously to resuscitate the State moribund industries in Imo by entering into Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a seasoned private consulting firm, for the purpose of providing jobs for the Imo teeming youths to keep them away from crime.
On the birth of security outfit for the South East Geo-political zone codenamed EBUBEAGU, the Governor informed that it is not an alternative to the established security Agencies such as Police, Army, Air Force, Navy, NSCDC, etc, but a local outfit meant to gather information on criminal activities and give to the security operatives for proper processing and action.
“They are to play complimentary roles on the efforts of the Federal Government and Security Agencies, knowing full well that a threat to security anywhere in the country is a threat to security everywhere in the country.”
Governor Uzodimma used the occasion to reiterate his stand that the security breaches in the South East recently, do not in anyway suggest that Ndigbo are tired of been in Nigeria. Rather “all we want is justice, equity and fairness in a big Nigeria family.”
In his address to the Governor, the Commandant, National Institute for Security Studies, Alhaji Ayodele Adeleke said they are in Imo State, specifically, for a study. He said as a study group they are engaged on the study of security and security architecture of Nigeria and Africa with the intention that their findings will help policy makers in fighting vices that have permeated the nooks and cranny of Nigeria communities and villages.
The vices, he mentioned include: kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and others.
Adeleke also highlighted that the Institute was established to produce men and women who on graduation will help the security agencies to solve most security problems plaguiing Nigeria in particular and Africa at large.
While asking Nigerians to pray for the security agencies as the challenges before them are enormous, he also urged for partnership of the Governors and leaders in Africa in general in the several efforts they are making towards peace and progress in Nigeria and tge Africn continent.
The National Institute of Security Studies is drawn from 26 agencies in Nigeria as well as three countries of West Africa.
It is established to foster inter agency synergy, to address the dynamic challenges in security problems in Nigeria and Africa.