The former governor of Anambra state, Peter Obi, has said that in Nigeria the only businesses that thrive are stealing government’s money, banditry and kidnapping.

The governor speaking at the launch of a book titled ‘Communication and Media Studies: Multiple Perspectives’, written by Stella Okunna, a former commissioner in Anambra said that lecturers are owed.

He also asked the question:  ‘How do we compensate those who have not contributed anything to the economy? The economy is not productive, and that’s why it is failing.’

Peter Obi said: “You can’t pay people for banditry. The only businesses that thrive in Nigeria are stealing government’s money, banditry and kidnapping. And that’s why your country is not progressing.

“How do we go and negotiate and pay somebody, a bandit, when we have not paid those who’re working?

“We are owing those who have legitimately worked. And we are negotiating and paying those who have stolen kids. It is a criminal system. It is important we walk away from it.

“Lecturers are owed. How do we compensate those who have not contributed anything to the economy? The economy is not productive, and that’s why it is failing.

“We have Prof. Okunna and her team doing research and writing books. Believe it or not, Prof. Okunna earns less money than a political thug. That’s why the country is collapsing.

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“We need to pay people who are working; people who are productive; not people who are not producing anything. As long as we continue to make money without being productive, there will be crisis. So, it will just be someone to go and kidnap someone and negotiate with government.

“So, kidnappers, bandits and other criminals are called to a meeting, but professors are not called to any meeting. May God help Nigeria.”