Stakeholders have linked the rising cases of cybercrime, corruption and crimes in the country to the fallout of Covid-19 pandemic which reduced income of many households in the country.
The Director, Emeka Anyaoku Institute of International Studies and Diplomacy, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Prof, Nkemdili Nnonyelu has noted the attendant economic and health implications of COVID-19 on household income.
Speaking at the third public lecture series of the Nigerian College of Accountancy (NCA), the training arm of the Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) held in Plateau State on the theme: “National Security and Economic Rebirth in the face of Covid-19 Pandemic: Livelihood Struggles and Sustainable Development, he said that the pandemic has affect societies and economies globally.
The don explained that the pandemic had caused considerable human suffering and exposed the limitations of health, education and economic system around the world.
According to him, the realities now call for a review and reengineering of the livelihood options available for households to cope.
He said that without adequate security in Nigeria, economic rebirth would be a mirage.
He noted that the economic effects of the current trend of insecurity and intra-country violent conflicts in the country had been compounded by the economic and health implications of the Covid-19 global pandemic.
The don said, “The current level of insecurity in the country may not be unconnected with the level of unemployment and loss of livelihoods in the country.’’
He added that several scholars attributed the increasing rates of crime as well as violent conflicts to loss of legitimate livelihood.
“Lack of employment prospects and poverty are implicated in the youth predilection to associate with violent criminal groups.
“As long as there is a growing number of unemployed youths and very poor deprived people, so long shall the ranks of criminal group under their different guises continue to swell.
The President of ANAN, Prof. Benjamin Osisioma said ANAN’s firm belief in education and training had always made it to explore various enriching outlets to engage its students, members and the general public in robust knowledge-sharing.
He said that in contemporary times, issues of security, economic resuscitation, Covid-19 pandemic and other topical issues had continued to spark interest for public discourse and research.
“I appreciate the college for organizing a third consecutive successful public lecture and for ensuring that this third edition uses both physical and virtual spaces to reach out to members of the audience
The Director-General of the NCA, Kayode Fasua, said the distinguished public lecture series was an effort by the college to contribute meaningfully to the current issues bedeviling us as a nation and as professionals.
Fasua noted that public lecture served as a means of educating the public on current issues.
“On my assumption of office, part of my mission which I also did a buy-in with various stakeholders is to provide an interactive platform between the academia and professionals in ANAN and the NCA simultaneously.
