Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, lamented the increasing intensity of bandits’ onslaught on the nation, adding that with the way things were now, banditry would soon be registered with Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a business entity.
He expressed concerns over the worsening state of insecurity in the country, saying Nigeria had become a haven for bandits, kidnappers and all other forms of criminalities.
Abubakar who said it was unfortunate that bandits had been allowed to carry out their nefarious activities openly across Nigeria noted that it would surprise no one if these bandits evenually got registered at the CAC and listing on the Nigeria Stock Exchange (SEC).
He spoke on Thursday in Abuja, during a media dialogue and public presentation of the book titled: “Remaking Nigeria: Sixty Years, Sixty Voices” with the theme: “Towards a Viable Union: A National Dialogue on Remaking Nigeria.”
The book, a compilation of articles from 60 writers and edited by Chido Onumah, was presented to the public.
Atiku who spoke in his capacity as chairman of the occasion said, poverty, lack of development, unemployment, and illiteracy were some of the factors holding the country back.
He said, “Yes, the Chibok girls had been kidnapped and held in captivity seven years ago. Yes, conflicts between herders and farmers had been there with us before 2016.
“But who would have thought that our country would become a haven for kidnappers and all manner of bandits to the extent that their nefarious activities would become a major industry?
“They have been allowed to operate so openly and brazenly that it would surprise no one if they applied for registration at the Coperate Affairs Commission and listing on the Nigeria Stock Exchange.
“Five years ago, the Abuja Kaduna road was not a virtual no go area. The south east was not a virtual war zone, the Amotekun was not needed to protect lives and property in the south west but it has become worse today.”
The former Vice President further disclosed that he found it amusing when people declared Nigeria’s unity as fixed and non negotiable but would go behind to do everything in their power to destroy the fragile unity.
He warned those in authority not to take things for granted, adding that fixing or restructuring the country was the only way out now.
“The calls for restructuring have not been heeded. Constitutional provisions on federal character have been ignored and even symbolic gestures to make all groups feel that they are part of the Nigerian family have been scorned as though they are a sign of weakness.
“As a result, the agitations that turned more groups into Biafrans have become even more strident and in some cases, violent,” he added.
He continued: “That fixing or restructuring will help in our nation-building project because it will help to foster a sense of nationhood out of our disparate groups, cultures, religions, and regions.
“It is obvious that a country is not necessarily a nation. Nationhood has to be forged through what we do as a country, and leadership is critical in the process of nation-building.
“Leaders give direction and the example they set determines the extent to which their followers will trust them. Without trust, there’s no leadership. Without leadership, a country drifts and becomes more difficult to forge into a nation.”
Ekiti State Governor, Fayemi Kayode, also speaking on restructuring, said no country was ever satisfied with its situation, adding restructuring was an unending issue among nations.
Fayemi, who was the keynote speaker at the event, said that questions would continue to assail the topic, questioning whether demolishing of the old order for a new era would quech the call for restructuring.
He noted that restructuring was a generational issue whereby every nation would always demand for a better society.
He said nation building was always unfinished business because the generation coming after would seek for a new direction.
He added that it was illusory that Nigeria could erect a perfect nation.
He advised that focus should be how to reinvent a new nation rather calling for all out demolition.
He stressed that the cause of EndSAR protest should not be lost on the nation, adding that absence of justice, liberty, equal economic opportunity and fairness was the root cause of agitation.
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