OUR SECURITY AND OUR NIGERIA: THE PROBLEMS AND THE SOLUTIONS

OUR SECURITY AND OUR NIGERIA: THE PROBLEMS AND THE SOLUTIONS

Chijioke Akusoronwa

Our security in Nigeria before now has be hinged on the fact that Nigeria and Nigerians are known for their peaceful nature and conduct poised on the communal living setting and beliefs that we are: ‘‘one united and indivisible family’’, wherever we find each other, within and outside the geography of the country, Nigeria.

Even though, history has it that Nigeria is made up of distinct geographical regions, cultures and norms, beliefs, economy, dressings, languages etc. But, these centrifugal distinctions have not only made the country, Nigeria to grow in strength, population, recognition, economy, military might but essentially in building the country Nigeria into a strong secured and peaceful living with another fellow Nigerians and visitors from other countries.

But, the play and rate of bombing, security lapses, threats, assassination and death of innocent lives in recent times have been put to question, if really Nigerians would wake up to even see a day pass by without any security problem or killing from one end to another end of the country?

At this point, it is imperative to say that security is the second most important functions of government after law making for its citizens. This means that the security of a country affects every facets of activities in the country be it the superstructures; politics, social, legal and political institutions in the state and even the substructure; economy which most times conditions the superstructure.

           The Causes of the Problems of Insecurity in Nigeria are:

·         Electoral fraud and winner-takes-all politics.

·         Massive Unemployment of Nigerian graduates and youths.

·         Low understanding of government constitutional functions and illiteracy on the part of some of the people.

·         Failure on the part of uniform clothed security personnel.

·         Census problems.

·         Military intervention in politics.

·         Lack of government in providing social security for citizens.

·         Celebration of thieves and rogues.

·         Economic challenges.

·         Loss of patriotism and service to our dear country, Nigerian.

            ·     The quandary of Boko Haram

Electoral fraud and winner-takes-all politics is the genesis and major cause of insecurity in Nigeria. Dating back to the history of Nigeria, immediately after independence, Nigeria was first challenged with regional division of political parties and electoral problems. Among these problems were Action Group Crisis of 1962 (the first inter-ethnic and intra-ethnic rivalries between different groups), Federal Election Crisis of 1964 (the crisis shock the foundation of Nigeria and threatened the unity of the country); Western Nigeria Election of 1965 (another winner takes all federal position); General Election of 1979, 1983, June 12, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 election which again brought another dimension of insecurity in the Nigeria: unity, religion, political, economic and social system.

Massive unemployment of Nigerian graduates and youths is a serious pointer why the insecurity menace has taken a worst dimension. This is even the main reason why the security lapses have been more evident in the areas of intelligence, information, security facilities, well trained personnel, technical know-how and emerging changes in the security operations which most of our security operatives if not all have failed to address. The unemployment of Nigerian graduates and youths have led them to be involved due to the desire of meeting their basic needs by giving up to wicked godfathers who had been behind most of these insecurity issues. Therefore, given the age and skills of these youths have overtime been able to show to our so called security personnel that improvement is really needed in the security sector.

Low understanding of government constitutional functions and illiteracy on the part of some of the people is another dilemma. I will be succinct by bringing some salient facts from the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:

SECTION I, SUBSECTION (1): The Constitution is supreme and its provision shall have binding force on all authorities and persons throughout the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

SECTION 10: The Government of the federation or of a State shall not adopt any religion as State Religion.

SECTION 14, SUBSECTION 2(b): the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government; and

SECTION 17, SUBSECTION 3(c): the health, safety and welfare of all persons in employment are safeguarded and not endangered or abused;

It shall be the duty of every citizens to–

SECTION 24(c): respect the dignity of other citizens and the rights and legitimate interests of others and live in unity and harmony and in the spirit of common brotherhood;

The issue of failure on the part of uniform clothed security personnel is another challenge. The Army, Navy, Air-force, Custom, Police, Civil Defence, SSS, and other recognised security personnel have failed to their calling of insuring the ,territorial integrity, defence and protection of lives and properties of the Nigerian people. Although, the government has its own side of blame by not providing the assurance of their lives, good welfare packages, pensions for retired personnel etc. But, the argument still remains that the image, functions and diligent ways of performing their security duties by way of our new crops of security personnel have been eroded to being likened to a business activity.

The problems associated to Census in Nigeria has also contributed in no small measure to insecurity challenges in Nigeria. This is because Census Crisis of 1962/63 was the first crisis after independence which challenged the unity and affected the allocation formula and population distribution of Nigerian resources. Released on February 24 by the National Census Board, the 1963 census indicated that Nigeria is the most populous country in Africa and the ninth most populous in the world.

The census figures were designed for a six-year development plan launched in 1962. More important is the political implication. Federal parliamentary seating is based on population, and the census necessitated a redefining of federal constituencies for the nationwide election in December—the first since independence. To hold political power, the long-dominant Northern Region hitherto had to form a coalition with political parties in other regions. Since the census revealed that the Northern Region has more than twice the combined populations of the other three regions, it could conceivably form a federal government alone. Regional differences, with attendant tribal antagonisms and political divisions, are the basic obstacles to Nigerian unity. The Eastern Region, objecting to the use of the new census figures in the then-pending election, sued the federal government in two Supreme Court actions in May to prevent acceptance of the census. On June 29 the court dismissed this suit. The Chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission announced on July 11 that on the basis of the census the 312 constituencies for the federal election would be distributed as follows: Northern Region, 167 seats; Eastern Region, 70 seats; Western Region, 57 seats; Mid-West Region, 14 seats; Lagos, 4 seats.

The United Progressive Grand Alliance, whose strength lies in the south, particularly in the Eastern Region, charged that its candidates were not being allowed to run in the Northern Region. It led a successful boycott of the election in the southern regions and called for a conference to partition the country.

Nigerian trade unions called a two-week nationwide strike June 1-15 that spread from government-owned enterprises to private firms. About 1 million workers were affected. A return to work was secured only after the government promised higher wages and better working conditions. Observers, long aware of the impact of regional and tribal loyalties, saw the strike as important because for the first time organized labour emerged as a powerful alignment and a possibly potent radical political force.

Military intervention in politics is an area that opened up wounds that are still unhealed till today in the insecurity issues in Nigeria. This was possible due to loss of professionalism of the military and their involvement in the day-to-day running of the affairs of the government as the Head of State and Government. This also brought the civilians to be aware of so many military operations such as buying of ammunitions, sensitive security files, military coded ways and other military operatives susceptible to hamper civilian operations and rule such as one being witnessed in Jonathan administration.

Another problem challenging security in Nigeria is the lack of government in providing social security for citizens. Social security’s in the areas of monthly allowance for citizens especially the old citizens, food for the poor, homes for the homeless, a place of pride for the less-privileged, allowance for non-working youth or citizens, etc. These lacks have led too many Nigerians into aiding and abating in crime related issues.

Here, one would wonder how such practices of celebrating thieves and rogues have affected the moral standard of most Nigerians to the point of making them getting involved in the destruction of people and properties that belong to their home country, Nigeria. The point here is that most people are tired of seeing those whose ways of lives have not affected anyone put into leadership or positions just because they are friends and relatives to those in the positions of authority thus putting merit and ethics into the dustbin.

The economic challenges of our country Nigeria is also another issue that have placed the security issues in Nigeria in a comas situation. This arises as a result of government inability to see and plan ahead of time before been faced with serious economic problems. These problems are again cause as a result of inconsistency of policy, frequent changes in personnel in charge of economic matters, government inability to have a think tank group that will provide the country with well planned and structured economic policies and lack of youth involvement in every sectors, especially the economic sector; given the changing trends in technology, ideas and as future leaders of tomorrow.

On the issue of patriotism and service to our dear country, Nigeria, it is not as strong as it used to be, which is another factor and a problem to security. The question is why? It is because many believe that successive Nigerian leaders have failed us and is continuing in that stand. How? Our leaders have always failed in fulfilling their promises before and after getting to power thus affecting the sociological, economical, psychological perception and political culture of the Nigerian populace.

The name commonly associated to insecurity in Nigeria is synonymous to the name Boko Haram. This name has become a threat since the first unscrupulous incident in July 2010 in Yobe state, where it was reported that fighters "used fuel-laden motorcycles" and "bows with poison arrows" to attack a police station. These successive attacks continued with attacks during the general elections, Democracy day until our government woke up to their task on August 26, when the UN headquarters in Abuja was blown up by a suicide car bomber, leaving at least 18 dead and dozens more injured. Boko Haram is a Nigerian Islamist group that seeks the imposition of Sharia law in the northern states of Nigeria. Boko Haram opposes not only Western education, but Western culture and modern science as well. The group also forbids the wearing of shirts and pants and the act of voting in elections. According to internet sources, Boko Haram have been said to be originated by Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf in 2002 in Maiduguri. He established a religious complex that included a mosque and a school. In this complex, many poor families from across Nigeria and from neighbouring countries enrolled their children in the school, which also served as a recruiting center for jihadis to fight the Nigerian state. But the question that comes to mind is: Wasn’t the school registered? Aren’t there any of these parents that had their children who could have sensed what their wards were learning? What was the government doing since 2002 to not have discovered these schools after some of the earlier pains and problems such teachings have caused Nigerians? For me it’s up to you in putting answers to these and other mind bugging security questions.

I just think a lot of other problems and solutions have been identified by other scholars, security operatives and other concerned individuals and Nigerians. But, I have simply identified five strategic and goal oriented ways of solving our perennially insecurity problems faced by our great country, Nigeria.

Before giving my own solutions, I want to say that there is none of these insecurity problems that can ever happen in isolation of the knowledge of all the Nigerian people or would any argue against the backdrop; that, the bombing and killing of innocent people are not financed by some wicked wealthy and well placed Nigerians; that, the bombing is not politically, economically and religiously motivated looking at the ways and manner the bombing are directed; that, those engaged in these nefarious act are not seeking for peace or togetherness of the Nigerian people but for something yet to be mentioned or understood by the some of the political elite...‘leadership’; that, the penetrators of these evil act are not watching and following the events, words and people who are not directly in the affairs of politics but those whose works or existence would seek pity, bring about contrasting views among the Nigerian people and directly affect the government of the day.

First, a well comprehensive and organized security data for everyone like that of the INEC; containing parental history, personal data, works, school, bank records, travel history, criminal records and any other necessary information that could be of help to security operative and can only be fully accessed by security intelligence centres while some of its data could be share across other Nigeria department according to information that concerns them and its information can also be checked by oneself through his or her identification number or code. In doing this, all Nigerians and foreigners no matter whom the person is in the country: citizens, foreigners, anyone living, doing businesses, relaxation, excursion, business meeting anything whatsoever in Nigeria should be taken into note through a data base before entering the country. All major houses should have security cameras; 200 metres to the entrance of these houses should have bomb detective facilities and well equipped security personnel.

Second, there should be less presence of too many uniformed security operatives but more presence of signs for suspected cars to stop and improved bomb identifying devices that police men can carry along while working among the people or their suspect. I am also of the opinion that the rebranding issue should start from the forces. This would help to create a new attitude to work and understanding of the ethics of their profession. The police are simply the nearest force closer to the people and if they continue to have a business-like operation without being seen by the people as being more civil, polite and fully acquainted on how to handle matters, properly understand the fundamental rights of their fellow citizen and be more focused on intelligence and selfless services to those they protect, Nigeria is still no way to go by in this issue.  

Third, I personally think that Nigerian government is still sleeping for over 80% of its youth to be massively unemployment and more underemployed. Although, my statistic may sound stupid but if you really want to know (for those working), please do find time to wait at home on Monday or Tuesday for you to find the alarming rate of unemployed youth sitting around within the neighbourhood just chatting and doing nothing. It is not that they don’t want to work. It is because: first they can’t secure a job as a graduate; laid off from work, or just can’t find something to do because there is no job. If this is solved, I am of the belief that at least 55% of the insecurity problems would be nibbled in the bud.

I may sound so hysterical on this simply because it’s the truth. But, I think it’s really a way out to so many problems be it political, economical, educational, social and ultimately youth unemployment in Nigeria. Please, If you doubt it, do find time to go to most public offices in Nigeria today, let’s say: WAEC, NIPOST, Ministries, Local governments, universities you will see grandfathers or even great-grand fathers still working while the brains of their graduate sons and youths are at home still looking for jobs and our (gerontocracy) type of government would think of solving insecurity problems. So, the government should at this point understand that today’s youth if well employed would do most of the work quicker and better in a more efficient manner hence, expanding and creating a growing economy that will continue to demand more hands and development unlike keeping people who will continue to produce dwindling work progress and economic development. I am not saying that all well experienced or older people should not work in these offices but experiencing how these people work tells me that most of those who work in these offices need to be replaced for Nigeria economy to grow and demand more hands.

Our government should go beyond talking and rhetoric and just begin take a quantum leap to fulfilling at least 100 percent of one agenda. Let say electricity or total diversification of the economy. Even, if it takes that the total earning of the country for three month or more, without sharing it at all to any federal or state government and would go for providing electricity or one thing for all its citizens... let do it! It is a way of telling the state government and local government that they have to live to expectation by thinking outside the box in managing and generating resources within their state and at least practice true federalism.

Fourth, Mahatma Gandhi teaching 'Non-Violence Is the First Article of My Faith' should be imbibed by every religious institution, groups and followers. The bombing and other destructive acts of some sect called Boko Haram have simply personified human beings to objects. These destructive acts are again taking us backward and painting a bestiality nature of a whole people and image of our dear country. I want to beg those engaged in these bombings and killings by leaning on the words of Alvin Toffler,

If we do not learn from history, we shall be compelled to relive it. True. But if we do not change the future, we shall be compelled to endure it. And that could be worse.

Finally, I want say that each and every one of us has a part in curbing and solving this menace. This is because, if each and every individual see what would harm the society even in its infinitesimal measure and overlook it, how then do we think that we are not aiding and abating in making an unsafe society? So, in building the country Nigeria into a strong secured and peaceful living with another fellow Nigerians and visitors would require you and I, because we are directly or indirectly a part of the people that makes up the country and government.

  

CHIJIOKE, holds a professional certification in Management and a first degree in Political Science and one of the best graduating student in the said discipline from Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria. He is passionate about providing the leading platform for bearing the burden for his clients’ zenith successes which is hinged at providing exceptional Consulting Services in the areas of paper writing, biographies, training, political advisory, public speaking, business development, product marketing and advert production all in a practical solution driven and goal oriented perspectives. As the Principal/Head Consultant, HeroesPlus Consultant based in Lagos, his interest in research and development made him a social blogger and a prolific biographer. Among his works includes: Celebrating Our Country In Doubt: A Question Begging Patriotic Answer; Challenging Your Dreams; Nigeria Sixth Republic: 50 Years Of Unfinished Leadership; 2011, April Ballot: Winners, Losers And The Nigerians Lesson, among others. He is a member of Civil Liberty Organization, Rotaract Club to mention a few.

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