Insecurity- A Threat to Human Capital Development
Photo Credit - African Courier

The Human Capital Development of a country can be disrupted by various obstacles of which one of which is insecurity. The insecurity of Nigeria is at its worst at the moment, especially in Northern Nigeria. One might be right to say our leaders are more concerned with getting into positions of power than protecting the lives of their citizens.

On the 26th of March 2022, “bandits” as they are called by our leaders attacked Kaduna state airport at the peak of the evening. A security agent was reportedly killed before the intervention of the Nigerian Army. Sequel to that attack, another attack was confirmed on the Abuja-Kaduna train where souls were lost, many left injured and some reportedly kidnapped, with images of the attack now circulating on social media. 

 Banditry primarily impacts rural communities, the very communities responsible for food security, and has disrupted socio-economic life in the North. This alone and most importantly, the loss of lives has hampered the country’s human capital.

Despite growing concerns about insecurity in northern Nigeria, rather than providing solutions for the insecurity issues, the government seems to be more focused on organizing rallies, political meetings, and election declarations in different states while insecurity soars.

Souls are being lost due to insecurity and we do not get to hear much about what the government is doing to protect its people.  After the Kaduna International Airport was attacked by bandits, the FAAN boss, Captain Rabiu Hamisu Yadudu comes on air to announce that over a Billion Naira worth of properties were destroyed. His announcement did not include the soul that was lost. This alone has shown the organization’s nonchalant attitude towards its people.

 

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi was also concerned about the properties destroyed and not the lives lost in the Abuja – Kaduna train attack. He announced that 3billion naira would be needed for repairs. He did not talk about how to avoid recurrent issues or even about the lost souls.

  One can easily deduce from the government’s reaction to these mishaps that, the lives of the Nigerian citizens do not matter to the government. Insecurity is on the rise and all we hear from the government is worry about damaged properties.

How can a country that is not secured grow? Will foreign investors look our way, especially in the northern part of Nigeria? Before political parties start making declarations participate in elections, let recurrent bandit attacks in the country be handled. Let the government see these bandits as what they are “Terrorists” and address them as such.

 

 Is insecurity affecting the country’s human capital? 

Insecurity and destruction of lives and properties will greatly affect the country’s human capital, especially if it involves youths who are supposed to push and drive the country’s economic growth. Insecurity is known to only increase unemployment, underemployment, and poverty, reduce economic investments, and even foreign and direct investment. If nothing is done about this hike in insecurity, the country’s national productivity will be affected. 

Human flight has increased drastically because of insecurity issues in the country. In one of our articles here, we discussed how continuous human flight can lead to brain drain of the country. Youths, who are supposed to lead this country, proffer solutions to this country’s problems are leaving because of insecurity, corruption, unemployment, and poverty.

Some foreign investors will not partner with a country that is fighting insecurity. Insecurity forces companies in the affected areas to pack up, most of these companies provided job opportunities to youths. Nigeria has to wake up and make her country safe for not just her citizens but also for possible partners.

The victimized state, Kaduna State is one of the major states responsible for food production and security in Nigeria, the crisis has disrupted this. Farms have been abandoned and farmers have lost their major source of income. This can lead to famine, hunger, and poverty. The essence of human capital development is to put end to famine, hunger, and poverty.

As an organization, we are concerned with the growth and development of Africa through the development of our human capital; this is why Nigeria’s current situation is a concern to us. Funds that are supposed to be used to train citizens in education and skills acquisition are now being diverted to curb insecurity issues in the country and no meaning result yet in the area of insecurity. With an increase in hunger and poverty, the major concern of everyone will be to satisfy her hunger and not for self-development, this alone hinders human capital development.

Join the conversation. Let us know what you think about insecurity, especially “banditry” in Nigeria. Don’t hesitate to invite friends to be part of this conversation. Feel free to comment, like, and share this post.

We await your feedback. 

 

 

Source: The Republic

Written By Tabitha Ipemida

 


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