To the US-Nigeria Working Group,
Nigeria’s development challenges are deeply intertwined, interlinked, interconnectedandinterdependent. The problem of insecurity in Nigeria is intricately linked to mass poverty occasioned by decades of poor governance by politicians and destructive corruption that has eaten deep into our body polity since independence. Without addressing the root causes of poverty, insecurity at all levels will undoubtedly be difficult to check.
As noted at the Conference of Nationalities in Nigeria, organized by late Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti under the auspices of Campaign for Democracy (CD) in 1998, delegates from Northern Nigeria highlighted that their political leaders have oppressed and suppressed them in every area of life, warning that they would soon pick up arms to face their leaders and the government. This underscores that insecurity is a fallout of mass poverty perpetuated by leaders, in both the north and south of Nigeria.
Security issues cannot be addressed alone; they must be tackled alongside challenges in:-
– Trade, Aid, Governance, and Corruption
– Health, Food, Education, Employment, Housing, and Finance
Failure in one area affects all. To achieve success, structured organization is needed at:
– Community levels
– All 774 LGAs
– 36 States and FCT
– National and International levels
We propose that these ideas be considered by the US-Nigeria Working Group to set an agenda that works for Nigeria’s over 150 million poor – children, youth, women, men, and elders.
Engaging the Media Team and involving National Orientation Agency, reporters, columnists, and editors from Radio, TV, Newspapers, and Online platforms can catalyze implementation and drive design and delivery of Correct Diagnosis, Correct Prescription, Correct Surgery and Correct Recovery Management at each level.
There are bright prospects of success, should State Actors and Non State Actors adopt joined up Approach towards design and delivery of Comprehensive Sustainable Solutions to Complex Systemic Problems. We all as concerned Nigerians and Friends of Nigeria shall work together and benefit together.
Recommendations:
– Adopt a comprehensive approach addressing interconnected challenges within Productivity and Quality Improvement Program and Re-engineering Program
– Establish Reforms structure and organization at all levels – all Communities, in all 774 LGAs, in all 36 States and FCT, National and International levels.
– Engage media to drive implementation and evaluation at all levels.
– Tackle corruption and promote good governance to address root causes of poverty and insecurity
Finally, to move these ideas from words to action, there is urgent need to fill gaps between Political Commitments and Technical Practice as in ways that effectively tackle implementation and evaluation challenges.
The International Society for Poverty Elimination / New End Hunger, Malnutrition and Poverty, NEHMAP Initiative has put itself forward for this patriotic assignment through helping to support the US Nigeria Working Group and their National and International Partners to move the ideas from words to action.
We are ready to do our part, if only the Federal Government of Nigeria will foster an avenue to work together with the US Nigeria Working Group.
We will build Backbone Partnership for Wisers age 60 to 90 years old and Builders age 15 to 59 years old who help Catalyze Implementation and Evaluation of Comprehensive Sustainable Solutions to Complex Systemic Problems facing Governments in all Communities, in all 774 LGAs, in all 36 States and FCT, National and International levels in Nigeria.
Let’s work together to alleviate poverty and insecurity in Nigeria.
Lanre Rotimi
Director General
International Society for Poverty Elimination / New End Hunger, Malnutrition and Poverty, NEHMAP Initiative / Integrated Visions for Achieving SDGs in North and South Countries
Website www.ivasns.org
M: 08162469805
