Amid increasing rate of insecurity, unemployment, poverty and hunger, stakeholders at the 12th National Development Mega-Summit, yesterday, in Abuja, have called for the development of a formidable mechanism for proper redistribution of income and wealth among Nigerians to give them a sense of belonging.
They, however, challenged government at all levels and community authorities to come out of denial and accept that there is food insecurity in the land.
The national development mega-summit of traditional rulers was inaugurated by the late President Umar Musa Yar’Adua in August 2008 to, among other things, unite and strengthen Nigeria by encouraging traditional rulers to come together, understand each other, generate sound leadership viewpoints while involving strong cross-cultural ties.
In his opening remarks, founder and facilitator of the summit, Dr. Ransom NnaemekaEmenari, advocated urgent need to strengthen the social protection system by evolving viable special schemes to provide essential and regular relief, especially food, for children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and the needy, and not just a one-shot palliative.
Emenari said: ”Beyond health issues, most research experts have the persuasion that food insecurity is largely responsible for the increasing cases of crime, kidnapping, prostitution, burglary, armed robbery, terrorism, child labour and suicide in our society today. Consequently, there has been enormous pressure on security spending’.’
Also, Mandate Secretary, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Council Secretariat, Bitrus Lawrence Gaeki, promised to work in synergy for the overall objectives of the country.
WakilinYamman Bauchi, Prof. Ashon Musa Maisamari, who spoke on “Prognosis of Terrorism and insecurity: Effects on National Development and Conceivable Counter Measures,” WakilinYamman Bauchi” said that some of the causes of terrorism and the general insecurity that bedeviled the country could traceable to foreigners and their collaborators within.”
”Those who have submitted themselves to be used by foreigners and their agents should by now have realised that Nigeria remains one only country we can call ours. Anyone that pulls down the roof of his only house must be a refugee in another man’s house. No place is better than home,” he said.
He stressed that leadership quality and recruitment must therefore be addressed, adding: ”Leaders at all levels and types, whether political or religious, must be recruited based on integrity, knowledge and capacity.
”If any leader lacks integrity, the remaining qualities mean nothing. At the political level and governance, we must eschew tribalism, religiosity and ethnicity in the recruitment and appointment of leaders.
”Government should provide sound education that emphasises national consciousness, unity, integration and employability. This type of education should be limited to formal education but inclusive of all forms of education, traditional, religious, informal and non-formal.”
