The lingering state of insecurity in the country has been blamed on poverty and corruption. A member of the House of Representatives, representing Magama/ Jigau federal constituency of Niger State, Atiku Shamaki made the assertion recently during a chat with LEADERSHIP WEEKEND? on the challenges crippling the nation after 51 years of self governance.
The lawmaker assured that though the founding fathers of Nigeria struggled and won her independence in 1960,the country’s leadership has been monopolised by military dictatorship for years. He said that the long stay of the military in the political scene had deepened corruption, a situation he argued, crippled the economy and resulted to hunger and poverty in the land.
On how poverty would be tackled, the legislator noted that unless government at all levels showed total commitment and will to curb corruption, the people would continue to suffer.
?‘‘The poverty situation is not to be tackled by the federal government alone, it involves federal, state and local governments because most of the people are from the grassroots.’’
According to him, the government is supposed to establish some industries to help the country more forward and eradicate poverty.’’
He also called on the National Assembly to enact laws that would checkmate the growing rate of corruption in the country instead of allowing those in positions of authority to siphon what is meant for the downtrodden.