Security experts converge in Abuja for summit

pmnews-placeholder

dambazauSecurity experts on Wednesday, converged on Abuja for the Nigeria National Security Summit to proffer solution to the myriad of security challenges currently confronting the country.

Former Secretary-General of NATO, Anders Rasmussen and one-time U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, John Campbell, are participating at the summit, which opened today in Abuja.

Others are Dr Olufemi Elias, Director at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and Dr Jacob Cilliers, Executive Director, Institute for Security Studies, U.S.

UN High Commission on Refugees Country Representative to Nigeria, Angela Dikongue-Atangana, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, former Nigeria’s Ambassador to the UN, and General Theophilus Danjuma, are speakers at the summit.

Other speakers are Maj.-Gen. Moses Obi (retd.), first Commander of the UN Mission in Sudan and Hajia Salamatu Suleiman, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security.

Also attending are Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau (retd), Minister of Interior, Hajia Khadija Ibrahim, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Senator Shehu Sani, Deputy Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs.

In his keynote address, Rasmussen commended the current military onslaught against Boko Haram insurgency and called for its sustenance.

He, however, said that it was important to address the underlying causes of the insurgency, especially, welfare packages for the poor.

Related News

He called on the U.S. to renew its support to Nigeria in its fight against insurgency, saying that its perceived withdrawal in the Boko Haram fight could create a vacuum.

In his welcome remarks, Professor John Ifediora, Director, Council on African Security and Development of the University of Wisconsin, U.S, said Boko Haram must be neutralised.

“The total disregard for human life and the social institutions that define Nigeria makes the group a scourge that must be contained and neutralised either through diplomacy or muscular intervention.

“Nigeria is in the midst of a rapidly constricting economy, unsustainable high unemployment, and inflation rate that threaten the economic viability of the average citizen.

“The existential threats of terrorism from competing groups in northern Nigeria properly engage and offend our collective sensibilities,” he said.

In his remarks, Prof. Oshita Oshita, Director-General, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), said the summit would lead to the implementation of innovative and sustainable pathways into a future of peace and prosperity in Nigeria.

“This summit will provide us with fresh and robust energies and tools to add to the creative tools for dealing with insurgency-induced insecurity in Nigeria.

Load more