How to tackle conflicts in Nigeria, by Amaechi
Rivers State Governor Chibuike Amaechi said at the weekend in Port Harcourt that equal opportunities for all Nigerians to go about their legitimate businesses would go a long way in addressing conflicts in the country.
He said lack of opportunities for Nigerian youths is partly responsible for the increasing conflicts in the country.
Amaechi said this when the United States Assistant Secretary of State of Bureau for Conflict Stabilization and Operations, Rick Barton and the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, James Entwinstle, led a delegation of diplomats to the state.
He called on the federal government to add value to its security operation and conflict reduction strategy in order to achieve the needed peace.
“The Nigerian government needs to do more to reduce conflicts. For me, the way to reduce conflict is not just equity but the ability to provide opportunity for those who don’t have, because lack of it increases conflicts. But, if everybody is given nearly equal opportunities to go about their businesses and are able to provide for themselves, the Nigerian environment would likely see peace. If we don’t provide such opportunities for them, there would be conflicts because poverty is everywhere”, he said.