A former military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (Rtd) has linked the heightening insecurity in the Sahel region to poverty, unemployment and weak governance.
Abdulsalami spoke at the first News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, annual lecture on Thursday in Abuja.
He added that climate change, environmental degradation among other factors had provided fertile ground for insecurity to thrive in the region.
“At the heart of the insecurity in this region, among other factors, are the undercurrents of poverty and unemployment, for the proliferation of small arms and light weapons.
“Also weak governance, and institutional failures, as well as climate change and environmental degradation.
“These factors have certainly created a fertile ground for insecurity to thrive, with devastating impacts on our dear nation.
“We must not, however, lose faith in our capacity to ride above the storms of insecurity, since this challenge is the business of each and every Nigerian, and indeed, all Africans,” he said.
According to him, the impact of the situation is devastating to Nigeria and the Sahel region particularly in its development.
He expressed concern that insecurity was still lingering and required concerted efforts to address the situation.
He commended NAN for organising the lecture, saying it would elicit a productive and thought-provoking response to address the situation.
According to him, the event is apt following the increased efforts of the government and other stakeholders in addressing the situation.
Abubakar said that the event would provide the platform for stakeholders to identify actors in the situation, identify root causes and proffer sustainable solutions.
Poverty, unemployment root causes of insecurity in Sahel – Abdulsalami Abubakar