GOCOP
Top Story

No security, no development, say discussants at 2019 GOCOP Conference

265
There cannot be meaningful economic development in a country bedeviled by insecurity.
This was the submission of discussants at the Third Annual Conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP, held on Friday at the Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.
The discussants, Mr Mike Ejiofor, a former Director General of the Department of State Service (DSS), Mike Ejiofor and Prof Akpan Ekpo, a former DG, West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management, posited that “no security, no economic development.”
The Guest Speaker, Dr Mathew Kukah, Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diaocese had delivered a speech on the theme  ‘Economy, Security And National Development: The Way Forward’.
Ejiofor pointedly said that “security is not negotiable for any nation that wants its economy to thrive.”
According to him, if there is no security, there can’t be solid foundation for economic growth and development, stressing that nobody will invest in an environment that is not secured.
Ejiofor lamented the presence of cabal that hijack successive governments.
In his words, “The truth remains that people hijack leadership in every government because every government as its own cabal but it’s more pronounced in this government.”
Ejiofor noted that kidnapping, banditry and Boko Haram have aggravated insecurity across Nigeria, contributing to relocation of big businesses out of Nigeria hence, massive loss of jobs.
Profering the way forward, the former boss of the DSS advocates good leadership, stressing that leaders must live by example.
He also enjoined the leadership to come up with deliberate polices to eradicate
poverty, unemployment, injustice to aid improvement in security situation, adding “It is our collective responsibility to make Nigeria work.”
Ejiofor while congratulating GOCOP for its commitment to sanitising the online space, saying the “Greatest challenge in the country is fake news” that must be fought by credible online media practitioners.
Also discussing Bishop Kukah’s presentation, Prof Akpan Ekpo, also posited that there can’t be meaningful growth and economic development if there is no security.
He noted that unemployment and underemployment are major causes of insecurity.
While submitting that security issue is a function of leadership and followership, Prof Expo, who was represented by Prof Omotor, charged the government of the day to put things in proper perspective to get the security issue right.

Leave a comment

Related Articles

Eight secondary school boys seize, gang-rape 14-year-old schoolgirl in Ogun

A 14-year-old schoolgirl in the Ijebu-Mushin area of Ogun State has been...

Just in: Senate confirms Omolola Oloworaran as DG PENCOM

The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nomination of Omolola Oloworaran for appointment...

Just in: Senate approves Tinubu’s $2.2 bln loan request

The Senate on Thursday approved President Bola Tinubu’s loan request of $2.2...

Just in: Reps reject bill for six-year single tenure for president, governors

The House of Representatives rejected a constitutional amendment bill on Thursday seeking...

Just in: Simon Ekpa, four others arrested in Finland over terror-related activities

Finnish-Nigerian separatist agitator, Simon Ekpa, and four others have been arrested in...

Just in: FG sacks Nnamdi Azikiwe University VC

The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Bernard Odoh,...

Senate raises alarm over fresh terrorists’ invasion from Mali, Burkina Faso, urges FG’s action 

Upset by the invasion of terrorists known as Lakurawa into Northern Nigeria...

Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists’ ambush: Defence HQ confirms killing of 5 soldiers in Borno

The Defence Headquarters has confirmed that Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists ambushed troops conducting...

Tinubu writes NASS for approval of $2.2bln fresh external loan

President Bola Tinubu has written to the National Assembly, seeking the approval...

NNPC Ltd’s spokesman, Soneye, explains delay in Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation, assures of imminent completion

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has acknowledged the challenges...

AFCON Qualifier: Nigeria’s Super Eagles Suffer Shocking 2-1 Loss to Rwanda

Nigeria’s Super Eagles concluded their Africa Cup of Nations Group D qualifiers...

Tax reform bills: Nigeria struggling with tax-to-GDP ratio below World Bank’s 15 % benchmark – Speaker Abbas

Mr. Tajudeen Abbas, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, has expressed...

Just in: Again, Anambra sit-at-home claims four vigilance operatives, motorcyclist

Gunmen enforcing Monday’s sit-at-home order in Anambra State launched a deadly attack,...

Tinubu departs Abuja for G20 leaders’ summit in Brazil

President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja for Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on...

Breaking: APC’s Aiyedatiwa in landslide victory, wins all 18 LGAs in Ondo guber poll

The All Progressives Congress Candidate, Gov. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, has swept the 2024...

Ondo guber poll: Aiyedatiwa votes, says exercise peaceful, PDP raises alarm over thugs invasion

As the Ondo State governorship election kicks off on Saturday, Gov. Lucky...

Late COAS Lagbaja buried in Abuja amid tears, tributes

Amid tears and tributes, the body of the late Chief of Army...

Tinubu appoints Daniel Bwala, Atiku’s ex-spokesman as Special Adviser on Media, three DGs

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Daniel Bwala, the Special Adviser on Media...

Just in: Body of late COAS Lagbaja arrives in Abuja ahead of Friday burial

The body of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja,...

Tinubu Presides Over Crucial FEC Meeting to Unveil 2025 Budget Plans

The much-anticipated meeting of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) is underway with...