Stakeholders call for review of nation's security architecture

Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo

Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo: LASUTH chief

Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo

Stakeholders have called for the review of the nation’s security architecture in view of the rising wave of insecurity in the country.

They spoke at a public lecture organised by the Yoruba Tennis Club in Lagos, with the theme: “Current Security Challenges in the Country: The Way Out.”

Speaking at the event, the Guest Lecturer, Major General (Rtd) Adewunmi Ajibade, former Deputy National Security Adviser and a Fellow of the War College, gave an insightful background to the current security challenges in the country and called for an immediate review of the National Security Strategy to reflect the actual security situation in the country.

He also called for the “strengthening of democratic institutions that will engender winning the hearts of Nigerians, so as to win peace, not the war”.

Ajibade lamented the non-implementation of anti-terrorism laws and commended the current bold steps by the armed forces in halting armed banditry in some communities in Zamfara State by an overwhelming military fire power and surgical air strikes.

Chairman, Yoruba Tennis Club, Prof Adetokunbo Fabamwo said one of the most debated issues in the Nigerian public space at the moment was the clamour for the strengthening of the security architecture of the country, as the current security situation in the country had now become a sing-song across the length and breadth of the nation.

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“But the debate has attracted diverse views and demands such that there appears to be no clearly defined way out of the national embarrassment. Among the various views and demands anchored on the current security challenges are the loss of social and communal values, proliferation of arms, huge influx of foreigners, mistrust within the various ethnic groups, excessive politicization of all issues amongst others,” he said.

According to him, the need to address these challenges led to the holding of the public lecture to chat way forward.

His Royal Majesty, Oba Prof Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalenlege, the Olota of Ota, Lanlenge Ekun II, Awori Kingdom who was the Special Guest of Honour and Royal Father of the Day, harped on the need to change the narrative with the current security challenges in the country and appealed for engagement of the communities with the para-military personnel.

In his contribution, Otunba Deji Osibogun, Founder/Chairman of Space-FM and Convener of the Leadership and Peace Initiative noted that religion was the first threat to security and that Nigerians should not allow a particular ethnic group to divide us and advocated for community vigilance in all our neighborhood.

The Head of News TVC, Mr Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, examined the current security challenges and noted with dismay the manner politicians got elected, believing they were not responsible to the electorate, while calling for the cultivation of new breed of politicians, responsible to the people.

Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Tunji Alapini, decried the overwhelming unemployment situation in the country, which had made the youths vulnerable to crime and a major challenge to the current security situation.

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