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Ozekhome blames banditry, terrorism on inequality, cautions against subsidy removal

By Monday Osayande, Asaba
30 November 2021   |   4:02 am
Lawyer and human rights activist, Sir Mike Ozekhome, has said Nigeria is facing banditry and terrorism due to lack of equality.

Chief Mike Ozekhome (SAN)

Lawyer and human rights activist, Sir Mike Ozekhome, has said Nigeria is facing banditry and terrorism due to lack of equality.

Ozekhome also believes religious and political tolerance have eluded Nigerians, hence the nation experiencing social and economy crises.

Ozekhome made the assertions weekend in Asaba, Delta State as guest speaker at the 42nd annual conference of the Knights of the Order of St. Mulumba Nigeria.

Addressing over 500 knights, drawn from Nigeria and Cameroun, he declared that unless leaders renew the culture of peaceful coexistence and succumb to the dictates of unity in diversity, it would be hard for Nigeria to survive present economic and political quagmire.

Ozekhome’s lecture was titled: ‘Insecurity: A great retardation to peace and progress in Nigeria.’

The Edo State-born social crusader accused the elite of being responsible for “dying Nigeria” in the mist of abundant human and natural resources, saying any further delay to carry youths along in the scheme of things portends danger.

He said: ‘’Nigeria is treating leprosy with medication meant for eczema. This is a country where youths are denied their space in national discourse. Where there is lack of social security, there will not be peace. The Nigeria we yearned for is not the country we are seeing today.”

According to him, only dialogue, respect for each other’s religion, tribe, political affiliation, opinion, rule of law and sustained understanding can boost the fragile unity of the country.

He cautioned the Federal Government against plans to remove Premium Motor Spirit next year, saying subsidy removal would further dwindle the nation’s economy and place the ordinary man in tight corner.

In his contribution, the Worthy Supreme Knight, Sir Diamond Ovueraye, also advised the Federal Government against fuel subsidy removal.

He said: “I don’t think we are ready for removal of fuel subsidy, it would further hurt the ordinary man on the street.”

He advised government to first fix the refineries to produce enough fuel for local use and export.

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