The insecurity threatening Anambra, as a state in South-Eastern Nigeria, at the movement that lead to the gruesome murder of late Dr Chike Akunyili, husband of former NAFDAC boss, late Prof. Dora Akunyili and seven others in the state, has reached a level that requires a multi-stakeholder approach to be addressed, governor Willie Obiano’s Chief of Staff (COS), suggested.
The suggestion was disclosed by the Chief of Staff to Obiano, Mr Primius Odili, on Saturday, during the third/fourth Annual Lecture of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Chukwuemaka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, held at Ben Nwozojie auditorium, Igbariam Campus of the School, with the Theme: “Social Exchange Theory & The Nigeria Trajectories” (sustaining an (Un) Holy Matrimony) and “Impactful Tertiary Education; Panacea for Youth Unemployment in Nigeria.
According to him, to address the issue, a review of national moral values and virtues within the socio-economic, political, religious as well as educational context and Agriculture ought to be the major concern of authorities.
He added that Nigerian political leaders should be at the forefront to uphold these moral values through leadership by example as well as in coordinating affairs of the states and the country at large.
He urged youths to key into various agricultural programmes of the state government to be self-reliant, noting that if the youths are deeply involved in Agriculture, the rate of crime will be reduced.
According to him, the governor had mapped out training programmes on the various aspects of farming such as fishery, poultry and root cropping, especially, vegetable leaves that have place Anambra as the major exporters of vegetable leaves in Nigeria.
He advised unemployed youths in the state to take advantage of the training to improve on themselves and grow economically rather than search for non-existing white-collar jobs.
While noting that most of the killings and other criminal activities happening in Anambra state are the handiwork of jobless non-indigenes residing in the state, appealed to Traditional rulers across the 181 communities to provide lands for youths for farming purposes.
Odili urged Nigerians to avoid tribalism in all their day-to-day activities in order to sustain national unity.
The Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences of the University, Professor Obiajulu Obikeze, who regretted recent developments threatening the unity of the nation, called on relevant authorities to rise to the occasion, even as noted that the institution is on a steady course in contributing to solutions to national issues.
Chairman and Secretary of the Organizing Committee, Professor Angela Nwamuo and Dr Gideon Nwafor explained that the event, aimed at reevaluating how education can be used to address issues bedevilling the nation, will equip students, who are mostly youths, to become successful in life.
In their separate paper presentation, Professor Peter Olamakinde Olapegba of the University of Ibadan and Engr. Vincent Okeke, says the future of a Nigeria that works for all, regardless of religion or ethnicity, depends on full and accurate knowledge of its histories.
According to them, the nation’s diversity as a unique strength for promoting national development would not be realised without a thorough understanding of its different cultural practices and social norms that are embedded in history.
They called on government and private sectors to established more cottage industries to curbed unemployment among youths in the country.
Credit: Nigerian Tribune