Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has
suggested a critical factor responsible for Boko Haram insurgency that
has plagued the Northeast area of the nation.
Delivering a key note today, October 8, in Kenya, at an event themed “the private sector in africa and the emerging global security challenges and concerns”, Obasanjo said the rising incidence of joblessness among African youth is a major security threat to the nation.
He said: “One major human security threat is the rising incidence
of joblessness among African youth, partly arising from Africa’s
educational systems which fail to provide a large proportion of youth
with the requisite skills they need to secure a living. The desperation
that accompanies it undermines socio-economic progress in African
countries, especially those emerging from conflicts, with the risk of
destroying the political and social structures of countries that are
presently stable. In short, the future of the entire region is
threatened by the growing numbers of youths who lack prospects of ever
being able to work for a reasonable living. Until this situation
changes, the likelihood of having genuine peace and development in
Africa remain small.
“Issues bordering on security is critical for the material progress of any polity. National and global security is best enhanced when leaders and governments strive to reduce human vulnerabilities. As I have rightly indicated in several forums, without peace, sustainable development is not guaranteed. Suffice to say also that Security is Development, or put in another way, Security and Development are great bedfellows.”
Obasanjo’s remarks comes just hours after Boko Haram suspects reportedly attacked two mosques in Gubio town of Borno state killing scores of people.
Delivering a key note today, October 8, in Kenya, at an event themed “the private sector in africa and the emerging global security challenges and concerns”, Obasanjo said the rising incidence of joblessness among African youth is a major security threat to the nation.
Olusegun Obasanjo
“Issues bordering on security is critical for the material progress of any polity. National and global security is best enhanced when leaders and governments strive to reduce human vulnerabilities. As I have rightly indicated in several forums, without peace, sustainable development is not guaranteed. Suffice to say also that Security is Development, or put in another way, Security and Development are great bedfellows.”
Obasanjo’s remarks comes just hours after Boko Haram suspects reportedly attacked two mosques in Gubio town of Borno state killing scores of people.