The Minister of Interior, Mr Rauf Aregbesola, has urged the Nigerian military and other security agencies to be more determined in tackling various security challenges across the country.
Aregbesola made the call Monday in Abuja during the opening of the Leadership in National Security Course 3, organised by Nigerian Army Resource Centre in collaboration with Peace Building Consult.
He said the issue of national security was all encompassing, and everything start and end with security.
The minister, who defined security as the “banishment to the existence of anxiety and threat to human existence”, urged the participants to develop template towards addressing the present security challenges.
According to him, if there is anything that every Nigerian must be interested in is security , adding that civilisation is possible only when there is peace.
He commended the military and other security agencies for the effort towards ensuring peace and security in the country.
He also commended President Muhammad Buhari for his support for the military to limit the threats of insurgency.
“I am here to join force with those who are sacrificing their comfort and safety to ensure the security of Nigeria,” he said.
“With your determination, security of lives and properties will be guaranteed in the country.”
Earlier, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, said that that yearning for a peaceful environment was of fundamental importance to both the living and even the dead.
Buratai who was represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, said there was need for national security discourse to engender peace and sustainable development in every human society.
He said that the Nigerian military especially the army, had contributed enormously in tackling the myriad of our security challenges bedeviling the country.
According to him, national security to an average Nigerian is regarded as ‘state centric‘ rather than a whole society approach which requires the involvement of all stake holders in the management of our security challenges.
“It is my sincere belief that the knowledge the participants and the stakeholders will acquire at the end of this Course Will be of tremendous benefit to the System,” he said.
“Let me seize this unique opportunity to re-assure this audience that With continued collaboration and deepened synergy between the security agencies and the citizens, the myriad of security issues besetting the nation will be ameliorated for enthronement of peace and tranquility for the benefit of all.”
The Comptroller General of Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS), Ja’afaru Ahmed, commended the organisers of the course for the initiative, assuring that the Correctional service would continue to collaborate with other security agencies.
Ahmed who was represented by the Deputy Comptroller General, Human Resources Director, Nigerian Correctional Service Mr John Dansoho, said the course, which was aimed at equipping security managers and civilians with basic understanding of national security was timely.
He urged all hands should be on deck to provide urgent solution to the myriad of security issues confronting the country.
According to him, in discussing the prevailing security concerns however, the role of leadership in policy formulation as well as operational supervision cannot be over emphasised.
“Leaders must be seen to be on top of their game to provide solution and bring these vices to appreciable end,” he said.
Ahmed said that training and retraining necessary so as to enable security personnel and other stakeholders to deploy the appropriate mechanism as well as build the right relationships necessary to ensure safety of lives and properties.
He said that the course would help enhance the capacity of those championing the fight against insecurity.
He however, urged participants to pay attention and make useful contributions to the discussions towards addressing the challenges of national security.
