The Director, Abuja School of Social and Political Thoughts (ASSPT), Professor Sam Amadi has said that the politicians from the south east should be held accountable for the collapse of security in the region.
Prof. Amadi stated his on Wednesday at the Youth Security Summit held in Enugu with the theme ‘The Good Citizen.’
The former Chairman/Chief Executive of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) who was the guest lecturer at the event, also said that the nonchalant attitude of the leaders in the region and the perception of the youths haven’t helped the situation too.
“The people who caused our crisis unfortunately are the politicians. They cause insecurity mostly, through unregulated fight for political power which led to mobilization of young people as thugs. Politics without morality or without stroke of humanity is our bane.
“The failure of our elected leaders to protect the citizens is an indirect message to the youths that they’re on their own, therefore, you’re telling them to disregard state order.
“The aggravator of insecurity in the south east today is the perception and believe by young people that nobody cares for them, that they’re victims of unfair state actions, it may not be true but that perception has to be managed and delt with. Young people needs assurance that their lives matter and that it counts. If we the elders don’t give them that assurance, they’re going to unleash insecurity.
The south east Governors refused to set up security apparatus for south east despite all our push even after the southwest came up with Amotekun. Our leaders should act as chief executives and take responsibility to protect their people.”
Prof. Amadi maintained that the import of security can’t be overemphasized and no nation makes progress in the state of insecurity, reminding the youths to be in the frontline of promoting peace as they’re the victim of insecurity/
“In every prosperous society, one thing is common, there’s a reasonable sense of order, discipline and security. People can’t make investment except there is security and young people are the first victim of Insecurity.
“Insecurity will disorient them towards violence and when they become violent, they become unproductive and therefore, their future is compromised. So the people who ought to be worried about security aren’t the elderly people but the young people that will be disorganized by insecurity.”
On the way forward to improve security in the region, he proposed the formation of South East Economic Development and Security Council; that will create coordination to enhance the work of the state police and other security agencies.
He suggested “the change of the name of the regional security outfit; Ebubeagu to ‘Anya-oha’ because Ebubeagu suggests too much focus on kinetics force. We need to have a security system based on intelligence and community support.
“Anya-oha will be a system where the people themselves will contribute intelligence to protect themselves just as it’s obtainable in other climes.
He also said that a new political will to advocate for the release of Nnamdi Kanu must be deployed to eliminate fifth columnists hiding under that to cause trouble in the region.
“The issue of the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu can’t be shied away from. The judge handling the case who’s my friend told me there’s nothing in that case. So, we need to develop new political will to end that trial to remove any excuse from any person to make the southeast a theatre of war
“We need peace because we’re entrepreneurial people and without peace, there will be no enterprise.
“The continuous engagement of the youths through a security summit to remind them that peace is better than war is important and finally, we recommend the mapping of the hotbeds in terms of insecurity and flush the kidnappers out of those dens.
“We have to continuously tell our youths not to bring war to our home because it’s only a fool that brings war to his mothers kitchen, advocate for true democracy and election of competent people that will protect the people and finally as well as creating a programme through which to win the hearts of the youths through diplomacy.
The keynote speaker and Enugu State commissioner of police, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu who spoke on the topic of the summit ‘Nigerian security system; Youth Activism and its implications for peace and security in a changing time’, said the strength of any nation is built on her youths.
He also stated that the youths as much as they’re the strength of the nation, needs to be guided so they don’t make the society of inhabitable and should be condemned by all.
“I want to appeal to the youths to be of good conduct and have a sense of purpose and understand that they exist to make the state better and they shouldn’t rise up against the same state and the state should also not rise against them.”
He also called on the parents to live up to their responsibility and give their children proper training and education and assured them that his door is always open to listen to them while reiterating their resolve to rid the state of any vices.
Speaking earlier at the event, the convener, Monday Diamond Ani said the summit became important due to the rising insecurity in the region and “because security is everyone’s business and a secured and peaceful environment breeds economic viability, peaceful coexistence and unity of purpose.”
Ani who’s the Executive Director, Monday Diamond Foundation, reiterated the need to highlight the negative impacts some of these actions of the youths have on the society said the gap between the leaders and the led hasn’t helped, hence, the importance of the event which will provide a platform for “proper communication, reorientation and interactions between the Security Chiefs/Stakeholders and the Youth in our society.”.
“The YOUTH SECURITY SUMMIT 2023 is a conception of Lead Civil Society Organization known as PEACE AND GOOD GOVERNANCE GROUP(P3G) in collaboration with the NIGERIA POLICE FORCE Enugu State Command aimed at creating a palatable platform of the YOUTH and Security Chiefs/Stakeholders of the South East for a Lecture and Interactions towards finding lasting solutions to the prevailing security challenges that has bedeviled our society.”
he called on the “youths of the South East to rise up to this challenge, the time for blame game is over, let’s understand that the betterment of our society lies in our hands. Let’s brace up and secure our territory, let’s rebuild our economy again, let’s live in love, peace and unity.
“And to our Leaders and Stakeholders, this is the time to rise up to your responsibility and play the required elderly roles to restore the dignity of our land.”
The event featured panel discussions by the Commissioner for Youths Enugu State, Lloyd Ike Ekweremadu, Local Government Chairmen, heads of different security agencies, the clergies, traditional rulers among others.
Other highlights include the presentation of awards to the Chairmen of Enugu East, Nkanu East and Nsukka LGAs. Presentation of cash awards to some of the participating youths and distribution of Masters noddle.
