Government should tackle hunger, poverty to curtail insecurity –Anozie, human rights activist

By Vivian Onyebukwa

In the past months, insecurity has escalated across the country, with criminal entities such as Boko Haram, bandits and other terrorists unleashing a regime of killings and kidnapping on the country.

In this interview, Comrade Emeka Anozie, a human rights activist and socio-political analyst for good governance addressed the issues, highlighting the causes of the problems and the effects. He also suggested ways in which they could be tackled.

Comrade Emeka Anozie is an author, writer, entrepreneur and consultant. He is currently the Acting National Coordinator, Institute of Entrepreneurs and Leaders (ITEL).

What can you say about insecurity in the country?

Relatively in some parts of the country, it is becoming peaceful except in the part of the North where terrorists and bandits are still holding sway with the rise in killings and kidnappings for ransom. This is even with the United State’s intervention with the effort of President Donald Trump. The disadvantage there is that the North would be losing a lot in terms of decline in economic development, especially where farmers can’t still access their farms because of terrorists who are forcing them to pay taxes or get killed. Even with the Mondays sit at home in South-East, the North still remains the far losers in terms of economic impact. For sure getting new investors will be hard because no one would like to invest in an atmosphere of chaos and insecurity. As for the South-East, it is becoming more peaceful unlike before with activities of unknown gunmen.

Do you think that the government is sincere about tackling the issue of insecurity in Nigeria?

‎In some quarters, people feel the Federal Government is not sincere, especially tackling terrorism and banditry in the North for political reasons because some of the politicians use them during elections.

What more ways do you think is best to handle this problem?

Sheik ‎Gumi has called for amnesty for terrorists and bandits terrorising the North, and now some key Northern leaders are asking the federal government to engage the kidnappers, terrorists as forest guards security network to solve the terrorism problem in the North. Some farmers are still unable to access their farms and people are running away from their houses, which has resulted in a rise in internally displaced persons (IDPs). I think before we give any amnesty, what are they fighting for? Niger Delta militants had reason for theirs and they were not killing poor people, or going to houses to kidnap people like terrorists and bandits. So there is no basis for amnesty. Government should tackle them head-on and go after their sponsors. And if they don’t have sponsors, how do they get those sophisticated weapons superior to those of our soldiers? And rather than give amnesty all the time for repentant terrorists, government should provide social security for every unemployed citizen. Otherwise government would be providing more ground for terrorists with granting of amnesty. Let President Bola Tinubu scrap live pension for past leaders just as Gov Hope Uzodimma and recently Gov Theodore Otti of Abia State have done so that they can have enough for social security. In the UK, babies are paid social security, not to talk of adults who don’t have jobs. And there will be relative peace and economic development that even our leaders would not need orderlies to be protecting them.

What can you say about President Trump’s inference recently concerning insecurity in the country?

Sovereignty or not, I think people can’t continue to be killed and kidnapped without proper protection. So I don’t think it’s wrong, and it’s also not wrong if President Tinubu seeks help.

What do you think is the cause of this problem?

Itis still poverty, unemployment, and porous borders, which is making it free for people with no source of livelihood or means to survive to come into the country.

How can Nigerian government tackle this problem?

Provision of social security, like I said. Again, President Tinubu should not shy to continue to seek foreign intervention to tackle the terrorists and kidnappers, especially where they have sponsors and using sophisticated weapons. About 166 worshipers were recently abducted in Kaduna from a church which was initially denied by the state government.

People complain that the economy is improving only in the media, but not in reality. How can you react to this?

Yes, prices of some foodstuff are going down, but cost of transportation is still high, talking about interstate, especially. Government needs to do more to reduce food prices by protecting farmers who can’t have access to their farms because of terrorists. Understandably, Aliko Dangote who helped to force down the cost of fuel, also contributed to reduce the prices of foodstuff, and perhaps with FG’s measure. The cost of transport should be addressed by the government by flooding the country with their own buses like BRT in Lagos. ‎

People shout of hunger and poverty. What is your reaction to this?

With food prices coming down, that is a sign it could get better. Yes, the issue of poverty is still there with poor out-of-school children. Adding social security to the student loan could go a long way to address poverty and hunger and to the point that children who are old enough can take care of themselves pending when they get jobs. This can go a long way to reduce the burden of parents taking care of their unemployed children, especially retired civil servants and others who are not earning enough.

How can churches and other philanthropic organisations help in solving this problem?

Some churches are involved in charity work, especially Catholic churches, by giving out hand-outs and food. But churches can do more by buying foodstuff and selling it at subsidised prices so that the poverty alleviation can reach the larger society that truly needs help.What is your advice to Nigerians?

With the level of insecurity, they should be mindful of where they go, and they should not do what they shouldn’t do. Avoid bad companies. Go out only when it is necessary, considering the insecurity with the current economic implications. They should be contented with what they have. Avoid jealousy in order not to enter into problems. They should celebrate and appreciate Almighty God always for their lives for more God’s blessings.