By Bilesanmi Abayomi
Austine Uche, founder and publisher of Agenda newspapers, has called on influential Nigerians to speak more actively on the country’s security challenges, expressing concern over what he described as a decline in public advocacy on issues of national importance.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, Uche said insecurity remains one of the most pressing issues facing the country and urged both government officials and prominent citizens to contribute more actively to conversations aimed at finding solutions.
According to him, many public figures who were vocal during previous administrations have become less visible in public debates surrounding security and governance.
Uche drew comparisons with the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that civil society groups, activists, religious leaders, and public commentators were more outspoken on national issues during that period.
He specifically mentioned several prominent Nigerians, including , , , and , arguing that their public interventions on governance issues have become less frequent.
The publisher urged influential voices across civil society, the media, religious institutions, and academia to continue engaging public authorities on matters affecting citizens.
According to him, national challenges such as insecurity require collective responsibility and sustained public engagement rather than silence.
Uche’s comments reflect a broader debate among Nigerians regarding the role of public intellectuals, activists, and opinion leaders in holding governments accountable regardless of political affiliation.
As concerns over insecurity continue to dominate public discourse, stakeholders have repeatedly called for stronger collaboration between government institutions, civil society organisations, community leaders, and citizens to address the country’s security challenges.
While opinions differ on the level of engagement by prominent figures, the conversation has renewed discussions about the responsibilities of public advocates during periods of national difficulty.
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Comments expressed here do not reflect the opinions of KosofePost newspapers or any employee thereof.