Alia identifies illiteracy, poverty as major causes of insecurity in Nigeria

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, has identified illiteracy and poverty as major contributing factors to the lingering insecurity in Nigeria.

Governor Alia stated this while delivering a lecture on: “Insecurity and Education in Nigeria and the Quest for Development” at the Quarterly Lecture Series of the Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, formerly known as University of Abuja.

He recalled that the past decades in Nigeria have witnessed an unprecedented level of insecurity such as the Boko Haram insurgency, which happens to be an attack on western education, banditry, terrorism, kidnapping, herders and farmer’s clashes that resulted into several deaths and massive destruction of property, making national security threat a major issue for the government.

The governor identified major drivers of insecurity in Nigeria to include illiteracy, poverty, unemployment, inequality, weak institutions, ethno-religious tensions, poor governance and declining social values.

To address the security challenges in the country, Governor Alia suggested a good public service and strong institutions, stressing that the public service is responsible for delivering essential services and supporting the needs of the state and its people.

He said: “Through efficient and effective public service delivery, we can build stronger and more resilient communities, foster economic growth, and promote social cohesion.”

The governor emphasised that inclusive, equitable and quality education, lifelong learning, technical skills, teacher development and safe learning environments be encouraged at all levels to enhance peace and promote sustainability.

He noted that education, when intentionally employed, will always serve as a foundational, long term model for combating insecurity in Nigeria by addressing its root causes such as illiteracy, ignorance, poverty, religious extremism and unemployment.

He called for a continued strengthening of the Nigeria educational system and the pursuit of complementary constitutional reforms, including the establishment of state police, to enhance the security architecture.