In a compelling address following the transition of leadership in his community, a former leader has highlighted the urgent need to tackle the root causes of crime and social dysfunction in rural Nigeria, framing unemployment as a critical driver of instability.
By Victor Nwachukwu
Owerri, Jan. 8, 2026
Mr. Patrice Unogu, the immediate past President-General of Eziama Autonomous Community in Isiala-Mbano, Imo State, has issued a clarion call for a concerted effort to eradicate stealing and other social vices plaguing rural areas. Speaking to journalists in Owerri after overseeing the election of his successor, Unogu, a businessman and technocrat, presented a nuanced argument that moves beyond mere condemnation.
He directly linked the rise in petty crime and anti-social behavior to the “growing spate of unemployment,” asserting that “only a jobless person has time for crimes.” This diagnosis points to a deeper, systemic issue where idleness and economic despair create fertile ground for criminality.
Unogu’s call to action extends beyond his community. He urged governments at all levels to prioritize youth unemployment as a national security and social welfare imperative. “While I served as President-General, we received reports of petty stealing and other crimes in the villages, which I attribute majorly to youth joblessness,” he recounted. “It is, therefore, imperative to create job and skill acquisition opportunities for the young people to address the situation.”
This perspective is supported by development studies, which show that rural crime often spikes not from inherent criminality, but from a lack of legitimate economic opportunities. When young people see no viable path to a sustainable livelihood, the temptation to engage in petty theft or be recruited into more violent criminal networks increases significantly.
To provide a model for proactive governance, Unogu outlined key achievements from his nearly nine-year tenure, which offer a blueprint for community-led development:
- Institutional Foundation: The establishment of a formal constitution for the Eziama community, moving governance from ad-hoc decisions to a rule-based system.
- Empowered Leadership: Securing legal recognition and defined powers for the office of President-General through the courts, ensuring leaders have the authority to act.
- Social Safety Nets: The provision of health insurance schemes, directly improving the welfare and resilience of community members.
- Human Capital Development: Organizing soft skills training for students and youths—a direct attempt to tackle the employability gap he identified as a source of vice.
“Our achievements did not just come; we expended personal resources in offering selfless service for the wellbeing of Eziama people,” Unogu stated, emphasizing the commitment required from local leaders.
Reflecting on a peaceful electoral transition, he described the Eziama community as a “Bond of Peace” and expressed relief at completing his service. “I feel relieved and unburdened that the election has come and gone, and I promise to render valuable counsel whenever called upon for the good of our people,” he concluded, signaling a continued, albeit advisory, role in community development.
Unogu’s statements underscore a critical lesson for rural development across Nigeria: sustainable peace and security are inextricably linked to economic opportunity. Combating vice requires more than increased policing; it demands investment in job creation, education, and community-led institutions that address the hopelessness which fuels criminal behavior. His experience demonstrates that local leadership, when properly empowered and focused on root causes, can lay the groundwork for lasting change.
Source: NAN News
