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From: Jude Owuamanam, Jos
A professor of Political Economy and Development Studies, University of Jos, Prof. Dung Pam Sha has said that Nigeria needs a strong political will to deal with foreign mercenaries and insurgents recruited to perpetuate violence in the country, especially in North Central Nigeria.
He also said that the country needs to eradicate the proliferation of small arms and light weapons in the country. He spoke at a public lecture organised by the University of Jos Alumni Association in partnership with the Department of Sociology of the University, as part of the activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the university.
In his paper entitled, “Violent Extremism in Central Nigeria: Nature, Drivers, Responses and Remedies for Sustainable Peace,” he said the activities of the mercenaries and the availability of weaponry and ammunition, have continued to fuel insecurity in the North Central.
He was of the opinion that it is time to deal decisively with the hydra headed security issues and deal with the ethnic colonies that harbour them. He noted that violence extremism had assumed numerous forms in Central Nigeria, and that proper identification of the phrase and shape of security concern would assist in advising on the appropriate steps to be taken to address the problem.
He asserted that political will was essential to address internal and external sources of violence extremism and insecurity, while a statewide approach to combat instability is critical.
On why the violence persists, he said some elites benefit electorally, security actors benefit financially, while perpetrators face little prosecution. He expressed regrets that in some communities in North Central Nigeria, violence has substituted governance, as armed groups now regulate land, provide security and enforce justice in place of the state.
He further stated that part of the reasons violence persists in the region is that the various reports of the past commission of inquiries were never implemented, adding that these reports need to be revisited as part of the panacea to the problem.
To address violence extremism, he said: “Decentralise resources and authority to states, while keeping federal coordination.
“Deal with the demand for grazing land and design for sustainability, sequence interventions, diversity financing and building capacity.”
In his address, the Alumni Global President, Dr Gad Shamaki Peter, who said University Jos, over the years, has contributed immensely to the development of Nigeria in virtually all fields of human endeavour, commended the management and staff of the university for their unwavering support and dedications.
He also announced a donation of projector to the department of sociology, set of computers, waste bins, 10 basketballs and 11 footballs for NUGA Games, adding that the computers were customised to meet the needs of the university.
The university will, from November, host the NUGA games.
