A United States-based entrepreneur and chieftain of the opposition Action Democratic Party (ADP), Chris Emejuru, has warned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to proceed with caution over the proposed establishment of state policing in Nigeria.
Emejuru said tackling poverty should be the primary issue addressed in the country, adding that, “No amount of bullets, weapons, or tanks will put food in the stomach of a desperate youth. Once you address poverty in the country, insecurity will reduce.”
In a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Abuja, Emejuru said if the incumbent government could devote as much effort to addressing poverty as it has to state policing, insecurity would reduce tenfold.
According to the Rivers State-born businessman, when there is empowerment, there is less desperation. Priorities will also change. Instead of looking for food, a youth will find opportunities. Instead of struggling to find hope, people will find work in abundance.
He said this would be possible if the government changed its mindset and focused on what matters most.
The statement reads, “The issue regarding state policing in Nigeria should proceed with caution. It is a development that has potential but will not solve all of the security challenges facing Nigerians. Not yet within constitutional law, there are calls for safeguards to be put in place to ensure that corrupt forces will not hijack this pending reform. This is strategically necessary and well-intended, but underlying issues need to be addressed.
“Tackling poverty should be the primary issue that needs to be addressed in Nigeria. If we can put as much effort into addressing poverty as we put into state policing, insecurity will reduce tenfold. No amount of bullets, weapons, or tanks will put food in the stomach of a desperate youth. Once you address poverty in the country, insecurity will reduce.
“AI-enabled technology that can release funds to the most vulnerable, diversification so that resources can be pooled from other sectors transparently to improve the lives of all Nigerians, and grants given within the informal sector, which could then be passed on as savings to customers.
“These are some ways to resolve the insecurity issue in Nigeria: by focusing on policies that make a difference in people’s lives because people’s lives come first.
“State policing could be a welcome development, but more effort into reducing poverty will make the biggest difference in creating a more stable and secure Nigeria.”
