The Federal Government has been urged to perform the constitutional functions of providing for the citizenry, especially the youths, the basic needs of lives and employment to tackle insecurity. A former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, gave the admonition, yesterday, in Ibadan while speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) conference in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

Also, the President of, NBA, Olumide Akpata, decried the spate of insecurity and other challenges bedeviling the country.

Okorocha, who spoke on the theme, “The Imperatives of Public Interest in Governance in Nigeria,” said that poverty ravaging the citizens of Nigeria had become devastating, as it has grown to its climax.

According to him, the high rate of youth unemployment in Nigeria is sending a signal that the Nigerian state is sitting on a time bomb, which could explode at any point in time if the menace is not quickly addressed.

He equally advised the government to rule based on people’s interest and shun personal interest.

The NBA president, who said the insecurity in the country was an indication of the government’s failure at all levels, lamented that the fight against terrorism had suffered a setback with the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru.

On his part, Governor Seyi Makinde, who declared the conference opened, said the role of public interest was crucial in achieving good governance.

“Today in Nigeria, everyone wants good governance but the methods of achieving it seems to keep eluding us. When it comes to the relationship between public interest and governance, things get even trickier.

“We are living in an age where people are demanding more from those in authority. Citizens are calling for greater transparency and accountability, and they are demanding more inclusiveness.

“The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Oyelowo Oyewo, has transmitted an executive bill to the Oyo State House of Assembly proposing the establishment of the Office of the Public Defender,” Makinde said.