Sam Otobeze Speaks On Corruption, Insecurity, Proliferation Of Illegal Arms, Others At Nsukka Journalists Forum 2025' Conference
A security expert, Sam Otoboeze has blamed erosion of family values among several other factors like corruption and proliferation of illegal arms for pervasive insecurity in the country.
A security expert, Sam Otoboeze has blamed erosion of family values among several other factors like corruption and proliferation of illegal arms for pervasive insecurity in the country.
Otobeze spoke as the Guest Lecturer during the 2025 Annual Convention of Nsukka Journalists Forum, NJF, at Jerry Marriott Hotel, Nsukka, Thursday, on the theme, "No Security, No Development – Together We Build Both.“
This was even as a retired Major General in the Nigerian Army, Ambassador Chris Eze said there was nexus between security and good governance.
Eze stressed that without good governance in the society, “obviously, one would expect insecurity in such a society.“
In his paper titled: “Securing The Future: Enhancing Peace, Trust, and Development of Nsukka Cultural Zone," he emphasised the need for the return of family values, pointing out that the country's educational system did not emphasise practical skills, where students become self- employed after graduation but rather graduates who were merely trained to depend on white-collar jobs.
His words, “Our educational system do not encourage skills acquisition; so, when young men graduate from schools, they search for none existing jobs.
“When they cannot find jobs, frustrations set in and they take to criminalities to satisfy their needs.
“Other problems fueling insecurity includes endemic corruption in our country; erosion of family value system; and the social media mismanagement of information.
“All these are factors that fuel insecurity in our modern day Nigeria...
In his paper titled: “Securing The Future: Enhancing Peace, Trust, and Development of Nsukka Cultural Zone," he emphasised the need for the return of family values, pointing out that the country's educational system did not emphasise practical skills, where students become self- employed after graduation but rather graduates who were merely trained to depend on white-collar jobs.
His words, “Our educational system do not encourage skills acquisition; so, when young men graduate from schools, they search for none existing jobs.
“When they cannot find jobs, frustrations set in and they take to criminalities to satisfy their needs.
“Other problems fueling insecurity includes endemic corruption in our country; erosion of family value system; and the social media mismanagement of information.
“All these are factors that fuel insecurity in our modern day Nigeria...
“When somebody does what is not good, he says you can go to court, because he knows that even if you go to court you will not get justice.
“The disintegration of moral institutions such as the family, the Church, the educational systems among others also contribute to the rising insecurity in our society, impunity everywhere.
“The disintegration of moral institutions such as the family, the Church, the educational systems among others also contribute to the rising insecurity in our society, impunity everywhere.
"Some parents pay any amount to get admission for their children to study courses which they do not merit, causing serious problems to the society...
“In fact today, some parents even go to write exams for their children."
He further lamented the proliferation of illegal arms as part of the cause of insecurity in the country, noting that, the situation if not checked could worsen the state of insecurity in the land, just as he added what he described as the absence of justice in the country as part of the reasons for pervasive insecurity.
Also, speaking on the occasion a retired Major General in the Nigerian Army, Ambassador Chris Eze said there was a nexus between security and good governance, pointing out that without good governance in the society, “obviously, one would expect insecurity in such a society.“
According to Eze, one of the ways of curbing insecurity was for both the government and the electorate to believe that ultimate power is derived from the ballot box.
“If you have a free and fair election in the country, believe me, insecurity will not only be reduced across Nigeria but will stop, ” General Eze added.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Frank Asogwa had said that the lecture became necessary due to the current menace of insecurity in parts of the country, and asked the government to continue to fight insecurity until it was defeated and Nigeria becomes a free society again.
Also, in his welcome address, the Chairman of the NJF, Mr Benson Ezugwu said the topic for this year’s convention was chosen due to new wave of insecurity in Nsukka land.
“Today, we have decided to discuss the issue of insecurity in our cultural zone, which has become an emerging trend in the area. It appears we are facing a very difficult time.
According to Eze, one of the ways of curbing insecurity was for both the government and the electorate to believe that ultimate power is derived from the ballot box.
“If you have a free and fair election in the country, believe me, insecurity will not only be reduced across Nigeria but will stop, ” General Eze added.
Earlier in his opening remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Frank Asogwa had said that the lecture became necessary due to the current menace of insecurity in parts of the country, and asked the government to continue to fight insecurity until it was defeated and Nigeria becomes a free society again.
Also, in his welcome address, the Chairman of the NJF, Mr Benson Ezugwu said the topic for this year’s convention was chosen due to new wave of insecurity in Nsukka land.
“Today, we have decided to discuss the issue of insecurity in our cultural zone, which has become an emerging trend in the area. It appears we are facing a very difficult time.
“Serious criminal activities including kidnappings, gruesome murder of residents and the destruction of farmlands have been on the rise in our various communities,” he added, even as he
acknowledged the efforts of the Enugu State government in tackling insecurity in the state.
acknowledged the efforts of the Enugu State government in tackling insecurity in the state.
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