By Peter Osalor
Over many years of political and social turmoil, the accumulation of small crimes has transformed Nigeria into an established transit point on drug routes headed for European and North America.

Due to its strategic location, the country has also emerged as a centre of masive economic corruption and criminal activity. Since 1999 however, a climate of renewed collaboration with international law-enforcement agencies has resulted in substancial crackdown on syndicated criminal activities across the country.

A notable achievement in his regard has been a national initiative against drug money laundering, which resulted in Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action task force’s list of non-cooperatve countries in 2006. However, the country’s commitment to fighting economic crimes continues to be monitored.

The mix of poverty, inflation and unemployment in Nigeria has created a situation where opportunities for gainful employment are scarce, and criminality is often a means for survival. The same holds true for large part of sub-saharan Aferca where legitimate opportunities are shrinking. Across Nigeria, the highest incidence is of property crimes, relating to survival-burglary, armed robbery, cheating etc. Inherent flaws in the criminal justice system only adds to the problem. Tackling law and order is especially difficult  due to the existence of a tripple criminal justice system, which includes a criminal code, a penal code (based on islamic edicts) and customary law, some of which are informal and unwritten.

Youth crimes is currently one of the biggest hurdles on nigeria’s road to accelerated economic development. One of the government’s core priorities, in the context of long-term developmental goals, remains the mobilisation of its substancial youth population to lead an enterprise revolution.

Nigeria’s emerging leadership has in principle atleast awakened to the urgency of implementing fundamental initiatives concerning the creation of new jobs for sustainable and inclusive growth. For Nigeria, entrepreneurship development is a social as well as an economic imperative. The following aspect require  Critical consideration as part of any concerted government effort in this regard:

“In the  contest of Nigeria’s troubled past, maintaining political stability and authority of  democratic institutions are critical to the success of any worthwhile youth revival initiative.

“Improvement in per capita income, standard of living and related human development indices through implementation of informed social and economic policy changes.

“Effective poverty-allevation programmes that focus on enterprise developmentas a viable means to legitimate prosperity. Mobilisation of the youth workforce to promote rapid entrepreneurial development in rural and urban areas alike.

“Massive overhaul of the education system to correctly address local realities. Focus on vocational and skills development programmes that translate to practical job opportunities.

“Rehabilitation programmes for Niger-Delta militants and other criminal elements that focus on equipping them with practical skills and leveraging their economic potential.

For a country beset by a bewildering array of problems, piece-meal measure can hardly be effective in the long run. Hopefully, Nigeria has at least started taking positive steps.

The present Administration announced a declaration of amnesty for militants in the Niger-Delta region.The proclamation acknowlidges that militancy arose out of the state’s inability to meet the aspirations of the local population, and the need for sustainable development in the Delta states.

It goes on to add that most of the militant are “able_bodied youths whose energies could be harnessed for the development of the Niger-Delta and the nation at large.”

As is the case with most seemingly intractable problems, the problem of Nigeria’s youth crime also contains its solution!