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The Faculty of Social Sciences at Osun State University (UNIOSUN), on Wednesday, held a high-profile conference involving, experts, policymakers, and traditional leaders to proffer solutions to the spate of insecurity that has rocked the length and breadth of the country.
While declaring open the conference with the theme ‘Drivers of Insecurity in Nigeria and Africa’ at the University’s College of Management and Social Sciences’s Auditorium, Okuku campus, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye expressed worrisome over the regional complexities of insecurity in the country.
Emphasising terrorism in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, herder-farmer clashes in the Middle Belt, and militancy in the Niger Delta, the Vice Chancellor hammered on the urgency of tackling insecurity, which he described as a multifaceted barrier to development.
According to him, “Addressing insecurity is not the responsibility of governments alone, it requires collective action from academia, civil society, the private sector, citizens and international organizations. This conference is a platform to propose bold, actionable solutions that can resonate beyond these walls.”
Professor Adebooye who underscored the role of universities in developing evidence-based strategies, called for research that transcends academic journals to influence policy and governance.
Also, The Lead Paper presenter, Dr Lasisi Olagunju, said in his paper entitled: Poverty of Mind, Poverty of Pocket, Poverty of Peace” drivers of insecurity bad governance, Illiteracy, ignorance and poverty. He also blamed insecurity on what he called denial-self deception.
He explained that “lack of the right education had the potential to result in joblessness and poverty, and where you have both, there will be a regime of anger, hunger and insecurity.
“We all know that where government is bad and weak, all institutions are bound to flail and fail. The results will be a rash of violence and criminality bred by illiteracy, unemployment and poverty – in that order.”
On what should be done to defeat insecurity in Nigeria, Olagunju said:
“Albert Einstein warned that we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them. So, I conclude with just one, sole, suggestion as a solution: Good governance. It is good governance that will give education for the uneducated, jobs for the jobless, food for the hungry; death to the deadly. A regime that puts a stop to our culture of denial and self-deception and impunity.”
In his remark, the keynote speaker, Professor Akanni Ibukun Akinyemi, a renowned expert in security studies, identified economic inequality, unemployment, weak governance, and the proliferation of small arms as critical factors.
He, however, stated that “Solving insecurity requires innovative thinking, robust governance, and sustainable economic policies.”
The security expert however charged participants to collaborate across sectors and leverage research to address these challenges effectively.
The Olokuku of Okuku, His Royal Majesty Oba Abioye Oyebode, served as the Royal Father of the Day. In his remarks, he criticized the government for neglecting citizens after elections, stating, “Politicians campaign tirelessly for votes but abandon the electorate once elected.”
Also, Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Umar Abba who was represented at the event by ACP Ajayi Williams advised citizens to be law-abiding and support the government’s efforts to protect lives and property.
“Security is a collective responsibility,” he stated, encouraging collaboration between law enforcement and the public.
The conference continues through the week, with discussions aimed at generating actionable recommendations to combat insecurity. UNIOSUN’s proactive commitment to addressing societal issues through academic excellence positions it as a leader in driving transformative change in Nigeria and Africa.
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