Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji, President of CBCN, warns that youth unemployment is a significant crisis leading to increased crime in Nigeria. He highlights the dire conditions of correctional facilities and calls for urgent government action to create job opportunities and reform the judicial system to protect human rights and dignity. His remarks emphasize the critical intersection of economic stability, security, and social justice.
In his opening address at the First 2025 CBCN Plenary Assembly on March 9, Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji emphasized the urgent need to address youth unemployment in Nigeria, identifying it as a “ticking time bomb” linked to rising crime rates. He expressed concern that the lack of job opportunities leads to frustration and disillusionment, making youth vulnerable to radicalization and recruitment by violent groups.
Archbishop Ugorji pointed out that many unemployed youths face a bleak future, pushing them towards criminal activities such as kidnapping, armed robbery, drug abuse, and cultism. He lamented the trend of youths seeking immediate wealth through dubious means, which holds dire consequences for societal stability.
Furthermore, he raised issues surrounding Nigerian correctional facilities, highlighting their outdated conditions and overcrowding. Archbishop Ugorji stated that essential amenities such as food and medical care are inadequate, making life intolerable for inmates, many of whom await trial for extended periods.
In his address, he called attention to the inhumane treatment of prisoners, which inflicts severe psychological distress and undermines human dignity. He implored the judiciary to expedite legal processes to prevent unnecessary delays in trials, emphasizing that such injustices further complicate the nation’s judicial challenges.
Archbishop Ugorji also remarked on Nigeria’s worsening economic conditions and security crisis, indicating that recent government reforms have resulted in significant inflation and increased poverty. He condemned ongoing violence in communities and expressed frustration over the lack of advanced technological support for security forces, urging for a comprehensive strategy to combat these issues.
To address the youth unemployment crisis and improve prison conditions, Archbishop Ugorji called for the urgent action from both Federal and State governments. He insisted that ongoing job creation is imperative to counteract insecurity and prevent the further deterioration of society’s moral fabric.
Archbishop Lucius Iwejuru Ugorji’s statements underscore the critical issues of youth unemployment and prison conditions in Nigeria. His call for urgent government intervention to create job opportunities highlights the direct link between economic stability and national security. Additionally, the need for prison reform and expedited legal processes reflects a broader concern for human rights and justice in the face of systemic inadequacies. His insights challenge stakeholders to reconsider the socio-economic frameworks that govern Nigeria, underlining the necessity for immediate action to avert a crisis that threatens to destabilize the nation further.
Original Source: www.aciafrica.org
