Poor leadership cause of rising cases of violent crimes, poverty in northern Nigeria, ICPC boss says

The rising cases of violent crimes characterised by banditry and kidnapping, coupled with biting poverty in northern Nigeria is as a result of poor leadership in the region, so says chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Bolaji Owasanoye.

Speaking at a conference in Lagos on Friday organised by Integrity Organisation, Mr Owasanoye, a law professor, who spoke on the theme; “Governance, leadership and Ethics: How to Build a Thriving Economy, noted that if the problems of the north is solved, then half of Nigeria’s problems will be gone.

He said; “Quote me, and I mean it, if we resolve the problems of the north, 50 per cent of Nigeria’s problem is solved.

Read also: Okorocha reacts to allegations of stealing N50bn, 67 cars, gives Ihedioha 7 days to prove claims

“This is because the irresponsibility of the successive leadership in the region has built the monster which we now confront as a nation.

“If you have abandoned a people for a long time and someone cares to give you be it religious or economic solace, then why wouldn’t you jump at it? That is the reason recruitment has been easy for the insurgents and the bandits. But it is good all of us are now victims.

“The other day I was in the train, and one of the senior persons in government notified me he was also on the train, and I said even with your security detail you could not ply the road? He said did I want him to be kidnapped? Then we saw one of the immediate past ministers on the same train. I laughed and said maybe when all of us use this, we can develop the rail system and jointly confront the roots of the challenges,” Mr Owasanoye added.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now