Speaking during an interview with The Nigerian Tribune correspondent, Dr. Bashir Kurfi, a social commentator, retired lecturer from the School of Business at Ahmadu Bello University, and Convener of the Katsina Community Security Initiative, spoke about the insecurity issues affecting the nation.
Responding to a question about the alleged use of almajiri children during elections, Dr. Bashir Kurfi said politicians might not necessarily recruit almajiris directly but often relied on political thugs, adding that vulnerable almajiri children could easily be drawn into such activities.
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He argued that the availability of unemployed and disadvantaged youths made it easier for politicians to recruit individuals for electoral violence. According to him, while true statesmen focused on the long-term interests of their country, many politicians were more concerned with winning elections than addressing national challenges.
Kurfi cited Thabo Mbeki’s view that xenophobic violence in South Africa was driven largely by domestic problems such as unemployment rather than immigration alone. He said Nigeria faced a similar situation, arguing that many Nigerians would not seek opportunities abroad if the country offered better living conditions.
He further stated that the large number of Nigerians seeking to leave the country reflected deeper national problems. Referring to Nelson Mandela, Kurfi said the former South African leader had ensured that many citizens could build their lives at home despite the country’s challenges, unlike the situation in Nigeria.
He also criticised the government’s handling of insecurity and civil protests, arguing that citizens deserved greater protection and respect. Kurfi further lamented what he described as poor support for Nigerians abroad, claiming that many found it difficult to access assistance from Nigerian embassies when they encountered problems overseas.
Further talking, he said, “Also when you go to those countries, a lot of crime is perpetuated by Nigerians – drugs, prostitution and so on. In Johannesburg, there is a place they call Little Lagos.
“Even the police of South Africa cannot go there because it is a centre of crime. So, we have to look at reality.”
Kurfi said some people had called for MTN to be shut down, but argued that as a teacher of international business and finance, he understood the importance of multinational companies.
He explained that such companies often controlled sensitive sectors of a country’s economy, such as communication and defence. He added that although MTN would lose money if it shut down its operations in Nigeria, the country would also suffer serious consequences.
