IN ADDRESSING THE OVERWHELMING INSECURITY SITUATION IN NIGERIA - THE NEED FOR A DIFFERENT APPROACH
January 5, 2021 | News
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. These words are usually credited to the acclaimed genius Albert Einstein, and which to me, clearly paints the Nigeria insecurity situation in the country. I see it as foolishness to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result.
IN ADDRESSING THE OVERWHELMING INSECURITY SITUATION IN NIGERIA - THE NEED FOR A DIFFERENT APPROACH
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. These words are usually credited to the acclaimed genius Albert Einstein, and which to me, clearly paints the Nigeria insecurity situation in the country. I see it as foolishness to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. In other words, we cannot as a country, and our present crop of political leaders, be doing the same things we have been doing over the years and expect that the country's insecurity and economic problems would just disappear.
That is, we are not being real and honest with ourselves in addressing our problems. I also believe that the best way to address any problem, is to focus on the root causes. Once the issue is addressed from the roots, every other thing will fall into place. But if we keep hammering on the leaves and surfaces, the problem will only keep growing and getting worse. And one of the root issues that needs to be addressed in this country, is our morality and ideology as a people. This has been so corrupted over the years that its ripple effect is now seen in every aspect of our lives.
This is why I agree with Smart Ofugara,
A strategist and a campaigner for good governance, when looking at the subject matter. In his words: "The overwhelming level of insecurity in Nigeria to my mind is as a result of the moral decadence, where the value of hard work, patience and honesty have taken the back seat, and we have allowed free money to rent its sway over all the institutions in our society. While brut force is not being advocated, the necessary registration of individuals, their businesses and the taxes system should be tied, so that government can monitor and generate income. Even with this system, tax breaks or holiday, exemptions and thresholds can be established to avoid fear, while instilling confidence. The BVN example is a workable approach and solution for the larger society.
"Still on the insecurity situation, recall the 1980s when massive construction were going on in the Warri and Ajaokuta region of the country, skilled and unskilled work force were gainfully employed. In the present situation, we need connectivity of workable infrastructure across communities and state lines, we need to wake up the abandoned planning programs designed for society and start implementing them.
"We need to design and implement new housing project of two bedrooms apartments in different cities, and we need to give contracts to known names like Dumez, Guffanti, Julius Beggars, whose jobs have stood the test of time. We need to establish a credit line and periods to pay back , we need to create maintenance of these facilities as recurrent for sustainability.
"Once this is done, gainful army of men and women will be engaged, living room to tackle the lazy and idle kidnappers and thieves by ease of identification & gradual eradication.
Farming and fishing, should not be left out. Honestly, you will see the drastic solution to society ills and the boom in supporting services will grow at a rate that will be amazing and peaceful to society. Besides, a true and real technical education for skills acquisition is needed. This is a matter for thorough discussion."
I think one of the things that needs to be encouraged by this present administration is to be able to embrace new ideas from different works of life, that are geared towards addressing some of the problems in the society. Those in the Government space cannot know it all. And they should not be too proud not to listen to, and accept good advice when given, regardless of the angle such advice is coming from. What's important is that, when such idea and advice is looked at critically and honestly, we would see that it is actually in the overall best interest of the country.
Zik Gbemre.
January 5, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes
The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. These words are usually credited to the acclaimed genius Albert Einstein, and which to me, clearly paints the Nigeria insecurity situation in the country. I see it as foolishness to keep doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. In other words, we cannot as a country, and our present crop of political leaders, be doing the same things we have been doing over the years and expect that the country's insecurity and economic problems would just disappear.
That is, we are not being real and honest with ourselves in addressing our problems. I also believe that the best way to address any problem, is to focus on the root causes. Once the issue is addressed from the roots, every other thing will fall into place. But if we keep hammering on the leaves and surfaces, the problem will only keep growing and getting worse. And one of the root issues that needs to be addressed in this country, is our morality and ideology as a people. This has been so corrupted over the years that its ripple effect is now seen in every aspect of our lives.
This is why I agree with Smart Ofugara,
A strategist and a campaigner for good governance, when looking at the subject matter. In his words: "The overwhelming level of insecurity in Nigeria to my mind is as a result of the moral decadence, where the value of hard work, patience and honesty have taken the back seat, and we have allowed free money to rent its sway over all the institutions in our society. While brut force is not being advocated, the necessary registration of individuals, their businesses and the taxes system should be tied, so that government can monitor and generate income. Even with this system, tax breaks or holiday, exemptions and thresholds can be established to avoid fear, while instilling confidence. The BVN example is a workable approach and solution for the larger society.
"Still on the insecurity situation, recall the 1980s when massive construction were going on in the Warri and Ajaokuta region of the country, skilled and unskilled work force were gainfully employed. In the present situation, we need connectivity of workable infrastructure across communities and state lines, we need to wake up the abandoned planning programs designed for society and start implementing them.
"We need to design and implement new housing project of two bedrooms apartments in different cities, and we need to give contracts to known names like Dumez, Guffanti, Julius Beggars, whose jobs have stood the test of time. We need to establish a credit line and periods to pay back , we need to create maintenance of these facilities as recurrent for sustainability.
"Once this is done, gainful army of men and women will be engaged, living room to tackle the lazy and idle kidnappers and thieves by ease of identification & gradual eradication.
Farming and fishing, should not be left out. Honestly, you will see the drastic solution to society ills and the boom in supporting services will grow at a rate that will be amazing and peaceful to society. Besides, a true and real technical education for skills acquisition is needed. This is a matter for thorough discussion."
I think one of the things that needs to be encouraged by this present administration is to be able to embrace new ideas from different works of life, that are geared towards addressing some of the problems in the society. Those in the Government space cannot know it all. And they should not be too proud not to listen to, and accept good advice when given, regardless of the angle such advice is coming from. What's important is that, when such idea and advice is looked at critically and honestly, we would see that it is actually in the overall best interest of the country.
Zik Gbemre.
January 5, 2021
We Mobilize Others To Fight For Individual Causes As If Those Were Our Causes