Peter Obi Links Insecurity In Africa To Poverty, Unemployment, And Corruption At Athens Dialogue

• Says Over 60% Of Nigerians Live In Poverty

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate for the 2023 general election, has stated that Africa’s security challenges are directly linked to poverty, with more than half of the population being multidimensionally poor.

In a statement signed by Ibrahim Umar, POMR Spokesman, spoke at an international dialogue of global leaders, including former Presidents and top government officials, in Athens over the weekend.

Obi identified unemployment, corruption, poverty, and inequality as factors threatening Africa’s security and peaceful coexistence.
“I participated in a Leadership Dialogue in Athens, Greece, with global leaders, former presidents, prime ministers, serving and retired senior government officials, military chiefs, renowned academics, sports personalities, and others to discuss governance, particularly in the areas of security and the economy in today’s world, and lessons for future leaders.

“In my brief presentation, I emphasised that as leaders, we must recognise the profound global and generational transformations that face us. Despite abundant human and material resources, there are significant unmet needs in global governance.”

“There is an urgent need to improve collective security, lift people out of poverty, and reduce societal injustice and inequality.

“In Africa, we have high levels of insecurity, alarming corruption, worsening poverty, massive youth unemployment, and gross inequality. Over half of the world’s multidimensional poor live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Nigeria and Congo both have over 60% of their populations living in poverty and experience unacceptable levels of inequality.

“Non-state actors have now taken over security in some African countries.”Furthermore, many African countries underinvest in critical development sectors such as health and education.

“To achieve comprehensive, people-centred development, future African leaders must take bold, accelerated, just, and transformative actions.

“They must face insecurity head-on and reassure citizens that the state can maintain security without being undermined by non-state actors.” Corruption must be combated with vigour.

“Leaders must invest in critical areas of development to improve health and education while also addressing poverty, unemployment, hunger, and other pressing societal issues.

“Nigeria has all of the resources necessary to move in this direction, and we remain committed to putting the country on the right track.
A New Nigeria is possible.