By Sani Idris
A former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Martin Luther-Agwai, has called for a collaborative approach to address the pressing issue of insecurity in Nigeria and Africa at large.
Agwai made the call while speaking to newsmen at the sideline of the 18th Annual International Conference and General Assembly of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) held at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) on Wednesday in Kaduna.
The conference, themed “Community Engagement: Networking Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Capabilities for Tackling Insecurity in Africa”, was organised in collaboration with the NDA.
Agwai also emphasised the need for community engagement in tackling insecurity across the country, saying.”ensuing security is the responsibility of all.”
The former CDS explained that insecurity was a complex phenomenon driven by various factors, including poverty, unemployment, political instability, and social inequality.
He added that the drivers of insecurity were often interconnected and required a comprehensive approach to address.
Agwai stressed that community engagement was critical in preventing and resolving conflicts, saying,”it enables the identification and addressing of underlying causes of insecurity.”
He urged governments, civil society organisations, and the citizens to work together to build trust and promote peace.
The former CDS also highlighted the importance of kinetic and non-kinetic capabilities in addressing insecurity, stating that the sole reliance on military force was insufficient.
The former Army boss further emphasised the need for a holistic approach that incorporates education, economic development and social welfare.
“As stakeholders work together, there is hope for a more peaceful and secure Nigeria”, he said.
Earlier in a welcome address, the President of the SPSP, Mr Nathaniel Awuapila, said the conference provided a unique platform for scholars, practitioners and policymakers to brainstorm on the critical issue of insecurity in Nigeria.
Awuapila said, ”It is imperative that the stakeholders come together to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices in addressing the challenges.”
He expressed gratitude to their partners, the NDA for its support and collaboration in organising the conference.
Also, the Commandant of the NDA, Maj.-Gen. John Ochai, said as a premier military institution, they recognised the significance of non-kinetic approaches in addressing the complex security challenges facing the country.
Ochai, represented by his Deputy, AVM Sunday Aneke, said they were committed to supporting initiatives that promote peace and security in Nigeria, adding that the conference would contribute significantly to that effort.
He said, “I urge you all to engage robustly in the discussions and share your expertise and experiences.
”Together, we can develop innovative solutions to the security challenges facing our country. Let us work together to build a more peaceful and secure nation and continent.”
Also, the SPSP Board of Trustees Chairman, Prof. Sulaiman Bogoro, said, “As I reflect on the journey of the society, I am filled with a sense of pride and purpose.
He said, ”From humble beginnings to becoming a leading voice in peace and security discourse in Nigeria.
”The organization has come a long way, as we have consistently provided a platform for stakeholders to engage, share knowledge, and proffer solutions to the nation’s and continent’s security challenges.
“As we gather for our conference and general assembly, I am reminded of the power of collective action in addressing insecurity.
”Our theme, ‘Community Engagement: Networking Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Capabilities for Tackling Insecurity in Africa’, resonates deeply with our mission.
“I am confident that our deliberations will yield meaningful outcomes, and I look forward to continued collaboration in the pursuit of peace and security in Nigeria and Africa at large.”
In a remark, the Special Guest of Honor, Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno, commended the society for its tireless efforts in promoting peace and security in Nigeria.
Zulum was represented by the Borno Commissioner for Information and Internal Security, Prof. Usman Tar.
He said,”As a Governor of a state that has been at the forefront of the Boko Haram insurgency, I have understood the devastating effects of insecurity and the importance of collective action in addressing the challenge.
”In Borno, we have learnt that insecurity is not solely a military problem, but also a socio-economic and political one.”
Zulum said they had implemented various initiatives aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, and lack of education.
“Our experiences have shown that community engagement and participation are critical in preventing and resolving conflicts,”he said.
Zulum restated his administration’s commitment to prioritising community engagement, education and economic development in efforts to tackle insecurity.
He urged all the stakeholders to continue working together to find sustainable solutions to the nation’s security challenges.
A lecture titled ‘Prioritising Community Engagement in Integrating Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Responses to Curb Insecurity in Africa’ , was also delivered by Prof. Freedom Onuoha, from the University of Nigeria Nsukka.
The don said what makes security management sustainable, successful and impactful was community engagement.
He said, ”In security management, reliance on kinetic measures without community engagement is resource expenditure without success.
”Also, resorting to non-kinetic measure without community engagement is a resource expenditure without sustainability.” (NAN)
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