Ben Ezechime, Enugu
Security expert, Mr. Sam Otoboeze, has identified corruption, proliferation of illegal arms, and erosion of family values as major drivers of Nigeria’s worsening insecurity.
Otoboeze spoke on Friday at the 2025 Annual Convention of the Nsukka Journalists Forum (NJF) in Enugu State, where he delivered a lecture themed “Securing the Future: Enhancing Peace, Trust, and Development of Nsukka Cultural Zone.”
He stressed the urgent need to restore family values and reform the nation’s educational system, which, he argued, produces graduates dependent on white-collar jobs rather than skilled entrepreneurs.
“Our educational system does not encourage skills acquisition. When graduates cannot find jobs, frustration sets in, and many resort to crime to survive,” Otoboeze said.
He further warned that the unchecked spread of illegal firearms poses a grave threat to national security.
“Other problems fueling insecurity include endemic corruption, collapse of the family value system, and misuse of social media. The absence of justice in our courts also worsens the situation, as many people act with impunity knowing the system will not hold them accountable,” he added.
Otoboeze lamented that the disintegration of key moral institutions such as the family, church, and schools had eroded societal discipline. According to him, parents now aid examination malpractice and secure unmerited admissions for their children, thereby breeding corruption from the home.
Reacting to the lecture, retired Maj.-Gen. Chris Eze emphasized the link between security and good governance.
“Without good governance, insecurity is inevitable. Free and fair elections will go a long way in restoring peace, because people will trust that power truly belongs to the people,” Eze said.
Chairman of the event, Prof. Frank Asogwa, described the lecture as timely given the rising wave of insecurity across Nigeria. He urged government to intensify efforts until peace is restored.
Earlier, NJF Chairman, Mr. Benson Ezugwu, said the forum chose insecurity as the focus of this year’s convention due to increasing cases of kidnappings, killings, and destruction of farmlands in Nsukka.
“These criminal activities are crippling the economy of our zone and threatening the safety of our people,” he said, while commending the Enugu State government for its ongoing security interventions.
