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Tackling the security challenge in the country requires a Whole of Society Approach, which identifies everyone as a major stakeholder in the country’s security architecture.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, stated this while delivering the Distinguished Personality Lecture of the Center for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin.
Speaking on the topic, “The Roles and Contributions of the Nigerian Army to National Development”, the Chief of Army Staff, represented by the Chief of Training, Army, Major General Sani Mohammed described as erroneous, the concept that security of the society is the exclusive role of security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Army.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja, said such mindset had led to apathy on the part of the populace, who feel less concerned about security issues except when their safety is directly threatened.
“There is a poor understanding of what security entails by many Nigerians. There is an erroneous belief that security is to be provided and ensured without interruption only and exclusively by the security agencies and particularly the Nigerian Army wherever deployed. This has led to apathy on the part of the populace who feel less concerned except when their safety is directly threatened by activities of anti-social elements.
“It is pertinent to reiterate that the scope of security has changed and expanded from the old regime or state centric to now cover all human undertakings. This requires all citizens to be part of the security architecture in order to enhance vigilance, build trust, ensure local knowledge as well as community engagement. This is to develop a more resilient citizenry who are better prepared to respond to national emergences,” he said.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja also stated that poor funding affects the capacity of the Nigerian Army Forces to perform optimally.Earlier, Kwara State Governor and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Mallam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq, represented by his Special Adviser on Media, Alhaji Bashir Adigun, commended the pivotal role of the military in ensuring territorial integrity of the nation and safeguarding the lives and property of citizens.
Governor AbdulRahman urged the Nigeria Army to remain steadfast in its mandate as Nigerians recognize their indispensable role in ensuring peace, unity and progress of the nation.
In an address of welcome, the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin, Professor Wahab Egbewole, said the Nigeria Army is one of the finest in Africa and the world at large.Professor Egbewole, who affirmed that the academic community recognizes the sacrifice of the Nigeria Army during and after the Civil War as well as sustainability of democratic values, pledged more support for the military in areas possible.
“There is no gainsaying the fact that Nigerian Army represents one of the finest in Africa and in the world. We recall the sacrifices of the Army during the civil war in Nigeria, we recognise its exploits in the sustainability of democratic values and ideals and we acknowledge its principled stand on the Nigerian project.
“It is important to underscore the point that without peace and security, there cannot be any development in any nation and it is in the light of this that we believe that engagements of this nature will further provide the necessary theoretical underpinnings on the study of peace for development, what the citizens need to do to sustain such developmental initiatives as well as possibly identify what the Nigerian Army should do differently in its bid to continue to contribute to national development.”
From far left, Mallam Yusuf Olaolu Ali (SAN); the Vice Chancellor, University of Ilorin Prof. Wahab Egbewole jointly presenting an award to the Chief of Army Staff as received by his representative Gen. Sani Mohammed; Dr Abiola Adimula of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies University of Ilorin.
The Director, Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin, Professor Ibrahim Jawondo, explained that the partnership between the Army and the University community is necessary, given the relationship between theoretical and practical approach to conflict resolution.
“MoU with partner organizations is encouraged to be able to exchange knowledge. The University is known for bringing theories, while other sister organization are known for practices and to bring the two together the University encourages partnership.
“We know that the military is much more recognized with force while the University is known for knowledge of peace, progress and development. We believe that if we are able to influence them in a way to imbibe the practice of peace in their profession, it will definitely assist them in carrying out development and progress- not only of their men, but Nigeria at large,” he posited.”
In an address, the Commandant, Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, Major General Ademola Adedoja, said the centre had signed an MoU with the Center for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin on peace education to leverage expertise to enhance impact in conflict resolution:
“In 2021 the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre (MLAILPKC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin on partnership in peace education, exchange and participation in joint academic and educational ventures, among other areas of collaboration. This collaboration has enabled MLAILPKC to leverage the expertise of the University of Ilorin in enhancing our impact in peace and conflict resolution efforts in Nigeria and Africa.
“The MLAILPKC is proud of this partnership and looks forward to deepening the cooperation to achieve even greater results in the future.”
There were goodwill messages from the Kwara State Commissioner of Police, Mr Victor Olaiya, representatives of paramilitary bodies, Civil Society Organizations, Nigeria Bar Association, Directorate of the National Youth Service Corps among others.
The Distinguished Personality Lecture of the Centre for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ilorin was done in collaboration with the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Jaji, Kaduna State as part of programmes to commemorate the 2024 International Day of Peace.
By Sola Rotimi
