By Miracle Okoro, Abeokuta
A Professor of Criminology, Department of Sociology, at Bingham University, Karu, Nasarawa State has described insecurity as the greatest enemy to human lives in our respective societies.
Prof. Odoma U Samuel who is guest speaker stated this during A Day National Security Summit / Unveiling The Institutes Abuja Training Center held on Thursday at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja. " Harmony in National Security: Fostering a Holistic Approach to National Security ".
The Prof. Criminology explained that insecurity is the greatest enemy to human lives. He remarked that inter-agency conflicts, superiority struggles, disparities in socialization modes among elites, and economic poverty are major gaps in national security that hinder investment and tarnish Nigeria’s national image.
In this regard, one-day national security summit as bringing together all heads of security agencies to address the complexity of insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in Plateau, Benue, Edo, Borno, Zamfara, and other regions.
He said, “Over the past ten decades, global environmental and economic stability, and living together as one nation, have all become units of what constitutes national security,” Prof. Samuel stated.
He added that “harmony in security includes institutional coordination, health, education, and socio-cultural aspects.”
Terrorism and insurgency, kidnapping, rural violence, digital fraud, cybersecurity threats, climate-related insecurity, herders/farmers clashes, and fake news have all thrown the country into palpable fear, causing many businesses and economies to crumble in the most affected areas.
To address these identified security challenges, Prof. Samuel said:
“Provision of security is not only crucial but equally complicated, such that no single agency can handle it alone. All inter-agencies must adopt a multi-task approach and ensure the welfare of security personnel,” he stated.
Strategic pillars to avert these menaces were also proposed by the keynote speaker. He emphasized moving from reactive to preventive security.
“The digital age has brought about digital vulnerabilities,” he noted, proposing the need for strong digital and cyber resilience.
To reinforce a culture of peace, he proposed civic education on conflict resolution, emphasizing community leadership as a bridge builder.
For a peaceful society, the keynote speaker stressed that the superiority struggles among security agencies must end, and the expansion of counter-violence initiatives must be embraced.
He added that inter-agency collaboration and the existence of a national security agency structure are signs of hope. He urged the security chiefs to adopt a holistic framework for national security, stating that: “Security is not merely a government program but must be a product of national harmony.”
At the end of the summit, all the security chiefs agreed on continuous training and retraining as measures to tackle national insecurity. They also emphasized that cooperation, collaboration, and coordination among inter-agencies are crucial to addressing insecurity in Nigeria.
Nigerians were urged to join hands with security agencies to curb the menace, as “security is the business of everybody, it should not be left solely in the hands of those in uniform,” according to the service chiefs.
According to Director General Dr Samuel Aderemi Adekunle advised the general publics to shun spreading of unverified news or information.
While advised all citizens to see issues of security as our civic responsibility, if truly we agree that insecurity is the greatest enemy to human lives.
In addition a representative of DSS said that their should be joint operations between the security agency, joint training of members and there should be inter agencies football competition, as we all know that sport unites everyone no matter status.
She advised that the overlapping mandates of national security agencies should be reviewed and that bridging the knowledge gap through sensitization of the public is paramount.
Also the representative of Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police Victor Olaiya, urged the security agency to sensitizing members of the public that no security agency is superior than others.
The summit was attended by all the Nigerian service chiefs, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector General of Police, the DSS, the NSCDC, and the Nigerian Correctional Service, among others. The event also featured awards presented to some notable Nigerians.
In attendance are: Hon. Akeem Amosun representing Ogun State Governor Prince Dapo Abiodun. Dr Ade Abolurin Chairman Governing Council and Former Commander General Nigeria Security Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC)
Dr. S.A Adekunle, Director General, Hon. Dr. Oyewole Ade Osinaike, The Convener / Abuja Learning Centre, Director, , N. A Amusa PhD, Vice Chairman Dr. Dr. Adeyinka Bakare D. Member, HRH (Oba), Rasheed Salami D. Member, Hon. Dr. Adio Yusuf, Member, Barr. Oluremi Omoniyi member, Rev. John Olagunju member, and Dr. Wale Amusa, Registrar General and others
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