Akwa Ibom governor, Mr. Udom Emmanuel has given antidote to stem the upsurge of all forms of extremism in Nigeria.
For some years now, such extremists as Boko Haram insurgents, ISWAP and bandits have killed more than 1,000 people and displaced countless in the country.
Emmanuel who stated this at the Inclusive Security Dialogue Retreat at the Airlie Conference Center, Warrenton, Virginia, United States of America held from October 18 to 20 described the current reality in Nigeria as heartrending.
Speaking on Inclusive Security Dialogue – Unbundling the Barriers, the Governor posited that “to stem the tide of extremists in Nigeria, whether religious fundamentalists, dissident Islamists, or militia groups, will ultimately mean addressing the conditions that foster radicalism – poverty, unemployment, social dislocation, cultural polarization, and a large demographic of disaffected young people.”
The Governor, who was one of the few key influencers at the strategic meeting, advocated leadership with the moral authority to navigate the country out of the muddy waters of self-destruction and disintegration.
Emmanuel noted that collaborative efforts beyond the boundaries of ethnicity, race, socio-cultural construct, religious affiliation, and doctrinal differences by faith leaders with moral authority are needed at this crucial moment to advance sustainable peace, social cohesion and hope in Nigeria.
He said since government has been variously accused of politics of parochial interest and tyrannical agenda, it becomes difficult for it to adequately act as an arbiter for conflict resolution and genuine peace.
Emmanuel was worried that “Nigeria is facing an existential challenge nurtured by the narrow identities of politics, ethnicity, wrong interpretation of religion, and corruption, exacerbated by economic deprivations, violent extremism, and the rise of ethnic militia groups.
“In the last few months, the country has witnessed a surge in protests such as the ENDSARS with accompanying destruction of lives and property.
“Kidnapping and abductions have dramatically increased, with more than seven hundred students taken since the beginning of this year.
“We have witnessed the death of police and military officers in different parts of the country at the hands of a new group called the “Unknown Gunmen,” who have also burnt various police facilities. The rampaging of herdsmen and bandits is practically uncontrollable as they kill, maim and chase people out of their communities.”
These, he said, have led the multiple regions of the country to resort to establishing their own security units, arguing that the central government is either unwilling or unable to protect its citizens.
Mr Emmanuel maintained that the retreat was going to afford stakeholders opportunity to meet and transparently address “critical issues and seek lasting solutions to the grave challenges facing Nigeria, beginning from an affirmation of transcendent truths that define our common humanity.”
The governor said the discussions would outline and examine the root causes of agitations and violence in the country, provide a safe environment for stakeholders and key actors to open dialogue and chart a path forward and also bridge gaps across ethnic, religious, cultural, and ideological divides to better understand the conflict dynamics and provide a platform for reconciliation.
The outcome of this, according to the Akwa Ibom State Governor, would be an increased understanding of the root causes of conflict and violence affecting the country, de-escalation of conflict and violence across the nation, an increase in the positive relationship between the Nigerian government and various agitating groups across the country,
He hoped the retreat could foster effective crafting and implementation of policies for the human flourishing of peoples across the identity fault lines of the country, as well as reposition the importance of universal principles and shared values as the glue for social cohesion and sustainable peace.
At the Inclusive Security Retreat by the Global Peace Foundation in collaboration with Vision Africa, key leaders unbundled the barriers to peace and security in Nigeria.
The Global Peace Foundation President, James Flynn gave the introductory remarks.
Among others in attendance were the facilitator Bishop Sunday Onuoha; the President of Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Dr. Sampson Olasupo Adeniyi Ayokunle; Lanre Banjo who represented the coordinator of Oodua People’s Congress, Ganiyu Adams; Ahmad Abubakar Gumi, Islamic clergyman, as well as Dr. Mohammad Camara who moderated the retreat.
In the Governor’s delegation to the retreat was the Commissioner for Special Duties, Rt. Hon. Okpolupm Etteh.
Founded in 2009, Global Peace Foundation (GPF) is an international non-sectarian, non-partisan, nonprofit organization, which promotes an innovative, values-based approach to peace building.
