By Jennifer John
Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma has reiterated his stand that the security breaches in the South East recently, do not in any way suggest that Ndigbo are tired of being in Nigeria, but rather all the Igbo want is justice, equity and fairness in a big Nigeria family.
Uzodimma made the assertion, Monday when members of the Course 14 of the National Institute for Security Studies who were on a study tour of Imo State paid him a courtesy visit at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Council Chambers, Government House Owerri, Imo State.
The Governor who gave a graphic history of Imo State and the efforts his government is making towards containing insecurity in the State told the Course 14 members of the Institute that unemployment and ethnic distrust are often fueled by insensitive public statements by some members of the political class for selfish and primordial considerations above national interest, adding that such is the root of criminality in Nigeria and Africa in general.
He buttresses his facts that the nexus between idleness and criminality is why his administration is doing her best to engage Imo youths in productive ventures.
He, therefore, advocated the need to find the cure for the two cancerous ailments “as a panacea to Nigeria and Africa experiencing relative safety.”
On the birth of security outfit for the South East Geo-political zone codenamed EBUBEAGU, the governor informed that it is not an alternative to the established security Agencies such as Police, Army, Air Force, Navy, NSCDC, etc, but a local outfit meant to gather information on criminal activities and give to the security operatives for proper processing and action.
“They are to play complementary roles on the efforts of the Federal Government and Security Agencies, knowing full well that a threat to security anywhere in the country is a threat to security everywhere in the country.”
In his address, the Commandant, National Institute for Security Studies, Alhaji Ayodele Adeleke said they are in Imo State, specifically, for a study. He said as a study group they are engaged in the study of the security and security architecture of Nigeria and Africa with the intention that their findings will help policymakers in fighting vices that have permeated the nooks and cranny of Nigeria communities and villages.
The vices, he mentioned include kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery and others.
Adeleke also highlighted that the Institute was established to produce men and women who on graduation will help the security agencies to solve most security problems plaguing Nigeria in particular and Africa at large.
