By Noah Ocheni, Lokoja
It was an assemblage of Opinion moulders and leaders of thought from different fields gathered at Miami Hotel, Lokoja to express their reservations on the pervasive state of insecurity in Nigeria.
The leaders of different ethnic-based organizations, religious bodies, civil society organizations and media expressed concerns that security agencies and governments at all levels in the country are obviously overwhelmed by the current security challenges
These opinion leaders were at a- day multi-stakeholder dialogue organised by Lux Terra Leadership Foundation, with support from the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy Development (SCDDD) in Lokoja, Kogi state capital, at Miami Hotel.
In her submission, Muslima Itopa, a broadcast journalist, called on government to engage the services of traditional rulers in combating crimes and violence.
Former Majority Leader, Kogi State House of Assembly, Hon. Alhassan Salisu Adakeke, submitted that the spate of banditry, upsurge in crimes and nationwide insecurity are ominous signs of impending revolution.
Adakeke accused politicians of creating avenues for current state of insecurity to thrive.
Representatives of youth groups bemoaned fraudulent activities by officials handling the various social intervention schemes introduced by the government.
They warned that if government fails to proffer solutions to rising unemployment and dwindling education in the country, crimes and violence will remain attractive to the restless youths.
Ahead 2023 general elections, the stakeholders review current state of the Nigerian nation and proffered solutions.
Mike Abu, a journalist, called for dissolution of power, autonomy for judiciary, State Houses of Assembly and the local government.
He called for the abolishment of state of origin, arguing that state of residency should be adopted for national integration and cohesion.
The leaders of thought lamented that Kogi State is been neglected by the Federal Government. They decried the dearth of federal presence in the state.
