Yuletide: Group tasks FG on southeast security situation
Ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, the federal government has been urged to enhance its security strategies in the southeast.
Ambassador Festus Emmanuel Okpara, chairman of Ihitenansa Development Union, Abuja branch, expressed that the ongoing security situation, adversely impacting the socio-political and economic progress of the country, is unlikely to improve without renewed intervention from the federal government.
Speaking in Abuja on Sunday, December 17, during the union’s end-of-year celebration, Okpara expressed regret that the region is poised to experience another decline in economic fortune, as fewer indigenes residing outside the region are expected to make the traditional journey home for the yuletide due to the uncertainties of the security architecture of the region.
Saying that the government should be concerned about youth restiveness in the region if the insecurity situation persists, Okpara noted: “Yes, the government is trying as we can all see. We have seen the efforts but they should be concerned about the youth.
“I believe that the youths are showing great understanding now but we should know that if it takes too long to manifest, things can quickly change.
“If unemployment is aggressively addressed and the youths are meaningfully engaged, we will see that our problems as a country would have been more than halfway solved.
“With what we are facing now, not many people will want to travel home to the East to celebrate the yuletide and we all know that that is one celebration that is almost a tradition.
“What does that translate to? Less economic activities, and less spread of wealth which in a way adds to poverty.
“In summary, if the security challenges are addressed, economic activities must naturally pick up. No one is happy with what is currently happening there right now.
“I urge President Tinubu to take a second look at the security situation in the East for the good of the region and the country.”
Nevertheless, he encouraged the people of the region, especially the youths, to be patient and allow the new government time to implement its policies and programs aimed at addressing the numerous challenges facing the country.
“I want to implore Nigerians and our youths in particular to be more patient and give the government time for what they are doing to manifest.
“They should remember that nothing can be achieved in an atmosphere of rancour and that is why patience is important.”
The Welfare Secretary of the association, Victor Ikem, Agugoesi, in his plea, urged the aggrieved youths who are tarnishing the region’s reputation with kidnappings and other crimes to reconsider their actions.
He added: “When the stories from the region are about kidnappings and incessant killings, how investors would be attracted to the region with all the negative perceptions?
“My advice is that it is time to be practical and think about the future and economic survival of our region and the country at large”.
The legal practitioner, nevertheless, emphasized the importance for the government to guarantee that the palliatives introduced to alleviate the hardships of Nigerians due to the economic decisions reach their intended recipients.
He said: “The government should please ensure that the promised palliatives get to the common people and not end up as political tools like before.”
The association celebrates the yuletide with different programmes yearly as thanksgiving for the outgoing year.
