Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji warns of the dire consequences of youth unemployment in Nigeria, describing it as a ‘ticking time bomb.’ He links rising crime and radicalization to joblessness, calling for urgent government action to create employment opportunities. Additionally, he critiques the deplorable conditions of correctional facilities and emphasizes the need for judicial reforms to ensure justice and dignity for inmates.
The President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, articulated profound concerns regarding the severe issue of youth unemployment in Nigeria during the First CBCN Plenary Assembly. He emphasized that this widespread joblessness poses a critical threat, likening it to a “ticking time bomb” due to its correlation with rising crime rates and youth radicalization.
Archbishop Ugorji lamented the plight of unemployed youths, describing their circumstances as leading to a life filled with despair, pushing many towards criminal endeavors such as drug abuse and cultism. He articulated a need for immediate governmental intervention to address this alarming situation. He stated the urgency for the government to prioritize job creation as essential to combatting insecurity and violent crime across the nation.
The Archbishop further addressed the issues plaguing the Nigerian correctional system. He criticized the appalling conditions within correctional facilities, stating that many inmates endure overcrowded and unsanitary environments with inadequate access to basic necessities such as food and medical care. He highlighted that a significant proportion of inmates remain in custody awaiting trial, inadvertently subjected to prolonged detention without conviction.
Additionally, he termed the physical and psychological abuses faced by inmates as inhumane and degrading, calling for reforms to expedite legal proceedings. Archbishop Ugorji condemned the neglect of fundamental human rights within the judicial system, urging for both justice and dignity to be upheld for all citizens.
The concerns extend beyond unemployment and correctional facilities, as the Archbishop underscored Nigeria’s escalating security and economic crises. He remarked on the adverse effects of recent economic reforms that have widened poverty levels and increased inflation, impacting citizens’ purchasing power. He urged for technological advancements to be integrated into security operations to protect communities suffering from violence and terror.
Archbishop Ugorji’s remarks highlight a critical intersection between youth unemployment, crime, and the judiciary system in Nigeria. Urgent governmental action is essential to create job opportunities and reform the correctional system, thereby fostering justice and human dignity. Addressing these challenges is vital to mitigating the growing insecurity and improving the socio-economic landscape of the nation.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
