Raymond Inkabi
Sep 1, 2018 · 2 min read

Why Violence Perpetuates In Nigeria

Photo credit: issafrica.org

Hate speech and misinformation continues to contribute to the perpetuation of violence in Nigeria. Social media is a key reliable tool in changing negative narratives and an effective way of reaching young people and communicating key peace messages to them. Efforts at discouraging inciting propaganda and unnecessarily heating of the polity, instead messages should be positive and promotes peace and unity.

The growing poverty, unemployment and inequalities are terrifying and increasingly high in places where tensions are rife. The British Prime Minister, Theresa May, asserted recently an estimated 87 million Nigerians live below the $1 and 90 cents a day, making the country home to very more poor people than any other nation in the world. This is caused to a great extent by the absence of an enabling environment that will make people thrive and provide for themselves. The consequence of an uneducated and impoverished population is the appeal of violent extremism. The World Bank also reports that extreme poverty in Nigeria is growing whereby sis persons get below the poverty line everyone minute.

We must increase support for gender and social inclusion because the effects of social neglect in governance process is also one responsible factor for youth involvement in violent extremism at various levels of participation. Young people must be allowed to take the lead in decisions and policies that affects them directly. The government should be proactive and anticipatory rather than reactionary to tensions and divisive tendencies among its ever growing young population. This way trust can be built and collaboration gained in governance in efforts to bridge the social gap between the rich and the poor.

While we may have allowed extremism take hold in our society. We should not keep surfing the edges with little efforts at addressing it in a multidimensional manner and this approach keeps the dividing lines growing wider and exponentially. Each of us has a role to play in tamping down tensions and acrimonies that can spark violence between communities. Government must engage community and religious leaders to diffuse tensions and stop the cycle of violence. Developments must be seen to be decentralized and incentives provided for the people. Only in this way, can the government be perceived to be responsive, people-oriented and tensions doused.

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