By Vincent Egunyanga in Abuja
No fewer than 35,000 people have been killed, and over three million residents displaced due to the insecurity in the North-East region alone in Nigeria.
Prof Nuhu Gworgwor, the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture at the University of Jos, submitted this.
Gworgwor declared during a programme organised by the Forum of Former Deputy Governors in Abuja.
Speaking on the topic, ‘Ensuring Food Security: Taming the Challenges and Exploiting Innovative Approaches to Agriculture,’ he said the insecurity born out of the Boko Haram conflict in the North-East led to more than 35,000 people being killed, and between two to three million displaced.
The university don affirmed that violence associated with banditry in North-West and North-Central states from 2011 to 2019 claimed the lives of 6,319 people, while 3,672 people were kidnapped, as N2.8bn was paid as ransom, and not less than 6,083 women rendered widows, with over 25,050 orphans.
In addition, 215,241 cows, 141,404 sheep, and 20,600 other animals, such as camels and donkeys, were rustled, while 3,587 houses and 1,487 vehicles were burned.
The forum chairman and convener, Chris Akomas, said this year’s theme, ‘Strategic Solutions for Good Governance, Food Security, and Sustainable Growth in Nigeria,’ encapsulates the pressing issues that demand our attention as we navigate the complexities of nation-building in our beloved country.
”We are witnessing a transformative moment in Nigeria’s governance landscape; we are at the forefront, and the Forum of Former Deputy Governors remains an active participant in contributing the wealth of experience and insight available within our fold to drive positive change in the Nation.’’
According to him, ”The Forum has brought together a team of seasoned academics and experts to interrogate this theme and come up with outcomes that will help our nation overcome some of its noted challenges.”
He added, “Nigeria is undoubtedly endowed with vast natural resources, a large population, awesome human resources, and a rich cultural heritage.
“However, despite these advantages, we grapple with significant issues: governance challenges, food insecurity, and the difficulty of addressing sustainable growth.
“As leaders and citizens committed to our nation’s progress, we must chart a course that leads to effective and efficient governance, ensure food security, invest to drastically reduce poverty and hunger, eliminate insecurity, and ensure sustainable economic development. Nation-building is a formidable challenge that requires unwavering commitment and innovative thinking.
“The role of deputy governors has historically been one of support and stabilisation of the governance structures; however, the deputy governors pose a unique vantage point, from experiences in office.
“They understand the intricacies of governance and the needs of our communities. This conference aims to harness the collective wisdom of the Forum and Nigerians to generate innovative ground-breaking ideas and pragmatic solutions to today’s pressing issues.
“In our quest for sustainable growth, we recognise the importance of collaboration beyond our borders. Our partnership with nations across Africa, hence the Polish Nigeria Business Council, will be pivotal in sharing knowledge and expertise.
“We believe that robust alliances will enable us to tackle the governance challenges. We must leverage our collective strength to create networks that will empower our communities and cultivate an environment conducive to development.”
