Moses Ofodeme
Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, has condemned the alleged payment of ransoms to rescue persons abducted by bandits.
According to Obi, Nigeria is not progressing because bandits are being rewarded, while lecturers are owed salaries.
He made the comment on Wednesday, March 3, at the launch of a book titled,‘Communication and Media Studies: Multiple Perspectives’, written by Stella Okunna, a former Commissioner in Anambra.
Obi, said Nigeria’s economy cannot be productive if the country continues to reward criminality while overlooking its intellectuals.
“You can’t pay people for banditry. The only business that thrives in Nigeria is stealing the government’s money, banditry, and kidnapping — and that’s why your country is not progressing.
“We are owing those who have legitimately worked. And we are negotiating and paying those who have stolen kids. It is a criminal system.
“Lecturers are owed. How do we compensate those who have not contributed anything to the economy? The economy is not productive and that’s why it is failing.
“Nigeria will not succeed if we continue asking bandits to come to a meeting; and we are not calling professors to a meeting. That is why the country is where it is today. May God help Nigeria.”