Nigerian Bishops have called on their government to help young people become farmers in a bid to prevent militant groups from exploiting disaffection amongst youth and to aid the economic development of the nation.
“Engaging the youths in active farming will enable them to contribute positively towards the socio-economic development of the nation,” Bishop Uzoukwu of Minna said in a statement, published recently.
He also called on state and local governments to help fund farm tools and machinery to encourage young people to enter the profession.
“Our country, Nigeria, is blessed with lands that can produce various crops; all that our youths want is motivation through the provision of modern farming implements for us to excel,” he said.
Bishop Callistus Onaga added that the government must improve salaries and allowances as a step toward alleviating poverty and hardships experienced by many of the country’s citizens.
“As a leader, even when things are very difficult, you are supposed to give people hope by touching areas that concern their lives,” Onaga said.
Bishop George Dodo, speaking to journalists last week, called on the government to protect citizens from terrorist attack.
“The government is responsible for the protection of the people. That is the essence of governance,” Bishop Dodo said.
“So, I call on the leadership of the state and the country to bear in mind that protecting the people from external and internal aggressors is the reason people voted for them. So they should rise to that mandate and protect the people.”
Nigeria has been besieged by insurgency from the militant Islamist group, Boko Haram, since 2009. Thousands of people have been killed in attacks and tens of thousands have been displaced, largely in northeast Nigeria.
Although Boko Haram is notorious for abducting children and forcing captives to carry out suicide attacks, a report produced by American aid agency, Mercy Corps, published in March, showed not all recruits to the terrorist organisation join against their will.
Compiling the interviews of 47 former members of Boko Haram, the report found that the organisation plays on the ambitions of young men who are impoverished and without opportunity. The group, concludes the report, exploits the socioeconomic and political grievances of an area.
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