By 
Two senior lecturers at the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies (CPSS), University of Ilorin, Dr. Raji Shittu and Dr. Abiola Adimula, have called for gainful engagement and employment of Nigerian youths as a panacea to the growing level of insecurity in the country.
The dons made the call at the 1st Peace and Conflict Management Retreat and Training organised by the Centre for Peace and Security Studies of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.
Dr. Adimula, who is the new Director of the Centre for Peace and Security Studies of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, asserted that the major way of fighting insecurity in Nigeria is to engage the youths in well-structured employment.
“There is a need to re-orientate our youths in peaceful coexistence. Peaceful coexistence is very important these days, ” she said.
The expert on peace and security studies, who also observed the link between insecurity and the growing unemployment of youths who could not explore their talents, reiterated that “government at all tiers must look into issues of unemployment in the country to address the insecurity menace in the country.
According to Dr. Adimula, “When you employ these youths, they will be able to use their knowledge and intellect for the progress of the country and not otherwise. The situation of security in the country is so bad, such that it must be looked into because of the deadly dimensions”.
She added that there is a need for the youths to be productive for the country, noting that the Centre for Peace and Security Studies engaged students to learn about security matters as well as indulge in research and training, using communities for their practical aspect of studies.
On his part, Dr. Shittu said that Nigeria needs to embrace “Digital Security” in the fight against all insecurities in the country.
According to him, the method of using Analogue means of fighting insecurity is outdated, saying that the method employed all over the world is the digital security method.
He said, “Let us get advanced weaponry and technology to deal with insecurities. I think when we address it, we can de-escalate conflicts n Nigeria.
Describing the Nigerian insecurity problem as “unfortunate”, Dr. Shittu pointed out that it can be surmounted “if all stakeholders can do the needful including the government to deal with the challenges of the lopsided structural composition of the society”.
“The society must be structured and premised on fairness, justice and equity. In a society where these are lacking we will be festering with individuals who are frustrated and aggressive because their needs are not met”, he said.
Dr. Shittu called for a balanced society where there are available opportunities for lawful engagements and employment.
He said, “If these are done, it will lower the tempo and temper of the masses. Politics is around the corner now, we have to make sure that the exercise is open, free and fair so that the temper and tempo of the political space will mellow down”.
Comments