The need of an efficient social security and reform of the Nigerian police force are some of the panacea recommended to the federal government to address the recent surge in the nation's security challenges as against suggested called for a break up.

This was the postulation of an emergency conference of ethnic groups within Nigeria. The conference was organised by the Coalition of Ethnical Nationalities in Nigeria (CENN), last week in Lagos, to deliberate on the nation's precarious internal security and it was attended by representatives of 16 ethnic groups, with each group airing its grievance in a no-holds-barred manner.

The high-point of the conference noted that the idea of secession, being mooted as the ‘only' solution on the recent security imbroglio in the country will continue to prosper if the country does not find a way to give all of its ethnic groups a voice that count at a roundtable.

There were heated arguments as each group strived to make a resounding case for its people but the need for co-existence with other ethnic groups was a major feature of the discussion. The prime resolve demonstrated by them all is that Nigeria can succeed as a nation as no group harbours a definite resolution for secession; although, deference was made to it at some point during the meeting, but only as a second alternative.

"It is very obvious here that the ethnic groups themselves can cohabit and resolve their differences if allowed to do so and if represented by those who speak the mind of the people," said CENN's chairperson, Frederick Fasehun; the founder of the Oodua People's Congress (OPC). According to him, this has always been the trend each time there is an opportunity for ethnic groups to meet and discuss their co-existence.

Representing northern Nigeria at the conference, the president of the Arewa Youth Consultative Forum, Shetima Yerima raised the issue of marginalisation of all the ethnic groups as he cautiously noted that "no northerner wants to secede." "That is why we are supporting every initiative that will bring justice and fairness to Nigeria" he added.

Admitting that the northerners have ruled the country for the longest period in the country's history, Mr Yerima hinged his marginalisation on the extreme poverty that ravages the north. "It is true we have been in power for many years but it is also true that we are the poorest. Each group has a story of marginalisation to tell, only on a different scale and timeline" he explained.

Cult of business people

Though, the participants tried to avoid the issue of convening a Sovereign National Conference (SNC), as the conference preferred to proffer solutions to the national security problems in the present political context, the clamour for a political reform in the mould of a SNC as the only panacea to Nigeria's problems kept roaring its head during the discussion.

The charge for the SNC was led by Asari Dokubo, founder of the Niger Delta People's Volunteer Force, who claimed that "nobody will give us (Nigerians) a Sovereign National Conference, we have to demand it" he affirmed.

He also expressed his disappointment in the failure on Nigerians to make demands off the government.

The former militant leader noted that "kerosene is scarce for no explainable reason and we are not doing anything. We ought to be on the streets by now." Mr Dokubo further explained that Nigeria's problem is not ethnicity, neither is it religion but leadership. "The problem is that the country is led by ‘a cult of business people,' whose hegemony, until broken, will always hold down the country" he said.

Regional police force

The coalition then proffered that, if Nigeria is to continue to operate its present political system, the ‘implantation of a functional budget' and ‘urgent restructuring of the Nigerian Police' is vital to bring peace and unity amongst other resolutions.

According to Mr Dokubo, there is only one government in Nigeria and that is the Lagos State government. "All the 774 local governments, other 35 state governments, the FCT administration and the federal government are no government at all" he stated.

He argued that only in Lagos is budget prepared to meet the need of the people. "What does Rivers State need a mono rail for?" he asked, citing an example. "Governments in Nigeria implement project only to soothe political muscles and boost egos, not to meet the need of the people," he said.

On restructuring the Nigeria police, all the discussants favoured the establishment of regional police alongside the Nigerian police. They condemned the deployment of commissioners of police to states they may have never visited before noting that "one can only fight crime in a terrain that one knows very well and among a people whose way of life you understand"

"As a regional police officer, it is easy to gain the confidence of the people and therefore establish an intelligence base. You will also know the nooks and crannies of the place," said Alex Sikaboro, a representative of Izon community.

Though the Nigerian police is largely seen as corrupt and inept by the public, the coalition said the government's prevalent social structure made it so and therefore should be blamed.

"How does a policeman send his brilliant kid to Covenant University or does a policeman's kid not deserve quality education?" asked Mr Fasehun, adding that Nigerians should learn to spare a thought for police officers as fellow humans.

It was also suggested that communities should be allowed to operate its own private security under a regulated authority.

"I live in Ajegunle and I knew what the place was before OPC came and what it is now. The same thing can be said of Bakassi Boys in Anambra," said Mr. Sikaboro. According to him, even Nigerian governors now employ private security; therefore, communities should be allowed to operate private security because "everyone in the community knows who is a criminal." E

mployment generation, at the heart of which lies power supply, was another resolution the group adopted.

"A hungry man will easily take up arms against his rich neighbours. He will query why they should eat three square meals, with leftovers when he has not eaten a single meal. Electricity affects every aspect of our national security," Mr Fasehun said, suggesting that "a heavy tax be imposed on importers of generators."

Absence of social security

The coalition blamed the rise of ethnic militia groups on the absence of social security, noting that each Nigerian youth wades through life practically without any aid from the government.

"We spoke to the government, they didn't listen, then we gesticulated and they started listening," said Mr Fasehun, who advised the government from making it seem like it only understand the language of violence.

The coalition urged the Nigerian government to implement a nationwide social security system rather than wait until a region takes to arm.

They warned that if a region gets largesse from the government, as in the case of amnesty in the Niger Delta, then a clear message is being sent to other regions on how to get their own largesse also.

"Every Nigerian youth deserves social security. No Nigerian should be angry because he is hungry," Mr Fasehun warned.

source NEXT NEWSPAPER

Just like Dokubo said, SNC is the only solution out of the cesspit called Nigeria.

for real

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http://newsdiaryonline.com/court-sacks-abia-state-governor-ikpeazu-tax-evasion/
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Also, the court which ruled that Ikpeazu should vacate office immediately



tax clearance in 2014, he applied to the Abia State Board of Internal Revenue, and was duly issued with his tax receipts for the period in question.
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http://newsdiaryonline.com/ikpeazu-heads-appeal-court-says-remain-abia-governor/