Former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon (retd), has advised governments at all levels on how to improve Nigeria’s economy.

According to the former Nigerian leader, the government needs to address the current spate of insecurity in the country to be able to build a thriving economy.

Gowon, who is the patron of ‘The Bible Society of Nigeria’, disclosed this at the 15th Founder’s Day and award ceremony of the society in Lagos.

Speaking on the theme of the event, “Security, Social Justice, and Poverty Eradication: Clarion Demands on Governance in Nigeria”, Gowon noted that the theme centred on burning issues that “required urgent attention to trail a path of progress for our dear nation, Nigeria.”

He continued: “Governments at all levels must put their differences and political affiliations aside and synergise to address the concepts of security, social justice, and poverty as they concern every Nigerian today.

“We are currently faced with diverse security challenges constantly threatening the peace and prosperity of the country as kidnappers and bandits continue to kill, destroy and maim unsuspecting Nigerians. I call on those disturbing the peace of the country to sheath their swords and embrace peace. I also call on Nigerians to continue to pray for peace in our country.

“We need security to build a thriving economy through viral businesses across all sectors of the economy. Social justice is a vital foundation to frame the peaceful coexistence and progress of the diverse ethnic groups in Nigeria.”

Similarly, the guest speaker at the event, the Publisher of Corporate Biographers, Mike Awoyinfa, blamed the rising wave of crime in the country on the poor state of the economy.

“Everything starts with the economy. The economy is through some tough situations, and it is affecting virtually everybody. It is not everybody who is a Christian who can avoid the temptation of thou shall not steal.

“Once there is such a situation and the whole thing returns to the state of nature, these people are easily tempted to go into crime.

“When they go into crime and weigh the possibility of being caught, the possibility is not there; they get away with it, and it motivates them to want to continue.”

 Meanwhile, the President of the BSN, Timothy Banwo, noted that security, social justice, and poverty eradication are indispensable to the development of the country.

“It is our collective responsibility to explore actionable solutions that will contribute to a more secure, just, and prosperous Nigeria,” Banwo declared.