Peace and Human Security as Desiderata for Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Development

In Nigeria, three things are woven together: religion, politics and ethnicity and the three are clad with corruption, poverty and insecurity. Peace and human security are critical issues for development of any nation. In Nigeria, the issues of peace and security have occupied the centre stage, especially since her return to democratic rule in 1999. From then, till date, Nigeria has witnessed violent conflicts of unimaginable proportions arising mostly from religious intolerance at both intra and inter levels, inter-ethnic rivalries, feeling and claims of injustice, marginalization and inequity, political differences and development – related challenges. The alarming rate of poverty and youth unemployment in the country has some linkage with the recorded cases of armed robbery, kidnapping, thuggery, extortion, advanced fee fraud, oil bunkering, rape, murder and other crimes in the country. Most youth wings of the socio-cultural organizations in Nigeria have resorted to militant activities to press home their demands. Infact, before the granting of unconditional amnesty to the Niger Delta militants, the area was saturated with militant groups perpetuating crimes to press home their demands. The most challenging is the recent insurgency of the Boko Haram Islamic Sect, which has killed, maimed, bombed and destroyed lives and properties. In the face of these challenges, the adaptation of a lingua franca becomes imperative. This will enhance communication and create a common cultural sense of togetherness and collective ownership. Nigeria should fund peace research and provide good governance at all levels towards minimizing the divisive forces and upholding the unity of the polity. Through it, the rule of law will become a culture in the socio-political lives of the citizenry for an enduring polity.