Although the menace of Boko Haram insurgency has reduced, the current spate of daily killings across several states has increased insecurity in the country, which may affect investors’ confidence. To you, can the current insecurity scenario derail Nigeria’s development process or is the government up to the task of checking the negative trend?
ABIMBOLA AKOSILE
* The insecurity lapse is something that needs to be urgently addressed by the three tiers of government, before talking about developmental projects.
– Mrs. Ijeoma Nnorom, Lagos State
* Nigeria’s development pace is slower because of insecurity problems. Most foreign countries are not interested in investing at the problematic states, despite the potential and human resources in those areas. Governments must re-double their efforts through partnership with foreign countries, identifying the causative agents through adaptive research, revisiting reports which proffer solutions and using religious and traditional leaders to root for peace and development.
– Mr. Michael Adedotun Oke, Founder Michael Adedotun Oke Foundation, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
* Insecurity has derailed development in Nigeria. Funds that could be better used to address critical sectors such as health, education, electricity, and roads etc are diverted to procure arms, instead of infrastructural projects for the well-being of Nigerians. Care should be taken to prevent corruption.
– Mr. Dogo Stephen, Kaduna State
* Yes, the current insecurity scenario in our dear country can derail Nigeria’s development process if not arrested quickly. Insecurity undoubtedly creates instability and as such impedes rapid progress and accelerated development which the people desire. We therefore need peace and tranquility to thrive and not the present insecurity in our dear fatherland. God bless Nigeria.
– Mr. Odey Ochicha, Leadership Specialist, Abuja
* Despite the resources government has been spending on security situation in the country, yet it is not finding solution to the ugly trend which threatens our nascent democracy. All hands must be on deck to find solution to insecurity before things get out of hand over the killings.
– Mr. Gordon Chika Nnorom, Public Commentator, Umukabia, Abia State
* No, it won’t. The menace of Boko Haram has drastically reduced with only pockets of soft targets here and there. To stem this ugly tide, government has deployed armed forces to check all the troubled spots, modern combat aircrafts are being procured from Russia, America etc to further check insurgency and guarantee all investors of their safety. The president is meeting world leaders to help knock out insurgency with remarkable responses. Government is fully on top of the situation.
– Miss Apeji Patience Eneyeme, Badagry, Lagos State
* That the present insecurity scenario will derail our national development is stating the obvious, but I am most worried about the recent frightening trend where bandits invade sacred places of worship and massacre innocent citizens without being challenged. If this ugly trend is not urgently addressed, it may be the road to Somali for Nigerians.
– Mr. Paul Jideofor, Department of Languages, FCT COE, Zuba, Abuja
* Insecurity scenario is already derailing Nigeria’s development as no foreign country wants to cite any business in the North-east or in Benue State. Our security organs are not helping matters as they are said to be aiding insecurity. Government needs to seriously deal with the issue of insecurity not by daily blaming the opposition but by dealing decisively with those involved. Citizens are not free to move around; how will that not derail development?
– Hon. Babale Maiungwa, U/Romi, Kaduna State
* Obviously yes, insecurity of lives and property negatively impacts our advancement. The government’s words and body language are a huge contrast.
– Ms. Nkeiruka Abanna, Lagos State
* Yes, insecurity is obviously derailing Nigeria’s development process. Peace is an essential ingredient required for social and economic development. Investors are right to be scared stiff in an insecure milieu like ours. We owe the little developments we’ve seen thus far to times of peace, and future development will require that the security of lives and properties be guaranteed too.
– Mr. Oluwapelumi Oyeniyi, Osogbo, Osun State
* The insecurity situation has already derailed Nigeria’s development more than corruption. For development to come, this insecurity must be tackled with sincerity because what is happening today especially bank robbery, herdsmen killing, militant attack on oil facilities, youth taking drugs especially codeine cough syrup, and one-chance robbery, no reasonable person will come to invest in Nigeria. Government should handle this monster with sincerity.
– Mr. Mark Ushie, Transcorp Hilton, Abuja
* Insecurity is surely a major threat and is fully capable of derailing Nigeria’s development process. The worst part is that the federal government appears to be clueless in checking the ugly trend. How does one describe a situation where a Nigerian cannot move anywhere across the country to ply his or her trade because of fear of attack? If care is not taken, Nigeria may go the way of Somalia.
– Mr. Olumuyiwa Olorunsomo, Lagos State
* If not handled properly, the unrelenting attacks and annexation of villages by mercenaries could trigger ethnic cleansing against innocent neighbours, which in turn could lead to retaliatory ethnic cleansing elsewhere. Some of the security measures we put in place are excessive and can scare away investors and tourists. Sometimes you wonder why there are so many checkpoints on our roads instead of the bush where the mercenaries have their bases and carry out their attacks from. These marauders don’t use cars or roads to access the villages they attack, they use the bush so why are there so many security personnel manning checkpoints where only the innocent pass?
– Mr. Buga Dunj, Jos, Plateau State
* Do the powers that be in this country accept that we have security hiccups? I dare say they don’t; PMB keeps shying from being decisive. However, the challenges may result in stagnation but no derailment will occur. South Africa, between Mandela’s exit from prison and 1994, experienced violence that sorely tested the nation but it survived. This country will thrive in spite of these issues.
– Mr. E. Iheanyi Chukwudi, B.A.R., Apo, Abuja
* Insecurity anywhere is insecurity everywhere. You cannot be talking about development where there is insecurity. Look at what happened in the North-east during Boko Haram, the herdsmen attacks in the North-central and the incidence of kidnapping in the South, you will see the damages done to those areas. Where there is peace is where development will be. Insecurity is really threatening the foundation of this country.
– Mr. Nduanya Egbuna, Public Analyst, Enugu State
* Without doubt, the high rate of insecurity in the country is derailing Nigeria’s progress already. The insincerity of the APC-led administration to holistically tackle the menace means that the current government cannot tackle it. This government has given us enough reason from onset why they would fail, and they have no solution to the problem.
– Mr. Akinwale A. Adeniyi, Abuja
THE RESPONSE
Yes, it can: 9
No, it cannot: 1
Others: 6
Radical tip: Bush war!
Total no of respondents: 16
Male: 13
Female: 3
Highest location: Abuja (6)
Next Week: Will Restructuring Help Curb Insecurity?
As widespread insecurity caused by various killings rises across the country, some analysts believe restructuring is the best panacea to halt the negative trend, which has affected development. Amid calls for State Police and ownership of natural resources, do you agree that restructuring can help check insecurity in Nigeria successfully and ensure a conducive environment for development to thrive?
Please make your response direct, short and simple, and state your full name, title, organisation, and location. Responses should be sent between today (May 10 & Monday, May 14) to abimbolayi@yahoo.com, greatbimbo@gmail.com, AND abimbola.akosile@thisdaylive.com. Respondents can also send a short text message to 08023117639 and/or 08188361766 and/or 08114495306. Collated responses will be published on Thursday, May 17
