Insecurity, hunger threatening democracy – Foundation

The Senator Polycarp Nwite Foundation for Democratic Accountability has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat from widespread hunger, insecurity, and disillusionment among youths.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Mr Michael Nwite, the foundation identified “palpable food insecurity, insensitivity of the political class, and declining faith in political leadership” as key factors responsible for the widespread disillusionment among Nigerian youths.

“These factors, in addition to diverse other economic challenges and the lingering intractable security problem in the country, have become the oxygen fuelling criminality and the current exodus by young Nigerians to foreign lands, in search of better economic and social fortunes, referred to as ‘Japa’ syndrome in local parlance,” the foundation said.

It expressed concerns that the challenging economy and weak institutions had eroded the faith of the youth in democracy.

“It’s no longer in doubt that the impact of the challenging economic environment, scarce opportunities, dysfunctional social infrastructure, and weak institutions have continued to erode the faith of the Nigerian youth demography in democracy and turning their backs in droves on the nation,” Mr Nwite said.

To address these challenges, the foundation urged the government to take steps to stimulate real productivity, address unemployment, criminality and disillusionment among young Nigerians, and work towards regaining their trust.

“For the survival and sustenance of democracy in the nation, the government must take urgent steps to stimulate real productivity, address the current alarming rate of unemployment, criminality, and disillusionment among young Nigerians, which is fast destroying the fibre and potential of the youth demography and pose a significant threat to the nation’s security, development, and future,” the foundation said.

It also called on the government to create opportunities for youth participation in governance and decision-making, support youth-led initiatives and entrepreneurship, and invest in agriculture to address food insecurity.

“Nigeria, with huge resources in arable land and human capital, has no business being listed as a nation with food insecurity. All government needs is an intentional policy backed up by sustainable investments in agriculture – including right training in relevant skills in food production, preservation, and value chain development,” the statement read.

It asked leaders at all levels to be honest and intentional about reducing the cost of governance, to redirect the Nigerian youth towards sustainable development.

The foundation commended the resilience and ingenuity of the Nigerian populace in weathering the current economic situation and expressed hope in President Bola Tinubu’s ability to take the necessary steps to address the challenges and restore the faith of Nigerian youths in democracy.