IPSS UI provides platform for Civilian- Military discuss , collaborations to proffer strategic solutions to combat insecurity . ----- Prof. Ruth Adio- Moses

 ----- As COAS presents IPSS Strategic Personality lecture 

By Patience Ogbo

The University of Ibadan Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies IPSS under the Directorship of Professor Ruth Adio- Moses has continued to blaze the trail and set the pace in providing the needed platform for the gown and town to meet regularly to proffer strategic solutions to tackling threats to  the unity of Nigeria. 

This is noted following the Institute's series of distinguished personality lectures which have featured top security Chiefs in Nigeria from the Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to the Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla and the Chief of Army Staff lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja who presented the Institute 's Strategic Personality lecture on Friday.

The lecture  titled “Combating an Adversary Without Boundaries: The Need to Implement A Whole of Society Approach to Nigeria’s National Security”.

In her welcome address, the Director of the Institute For Peace and Strategic Studies IPSS University of Ibadan Professor Ruth Adio- Moses said the lecture is aimed at addressing  threats in the country .

She said  “The topic was strategically chosen knowing the current precarious threats facing Nigeria, such as insurgency, terrorism, separatist agitations and violent extremism, and the need for a whole social approach,”

 Lt-Gen Taoreed  Lagbaja, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding 2-Division of the Nigerian Army, Major-General Obinna Onubogu, said tackling poverty and unemployment will greatly reduce threats to the country . He said “The twin problems of unemployment and poverty has given impetus to security challenges, as the unemployed and poor are susceptible to recruitment by criminals and violent Non State Actors.“

Proffering  solutions to   these threats , the COAS said “A whole-of-society approach must be implemented in Nigeria by leveraging the strength of every stakeholder to ensure a cohesive and coordinated response to threats. To achieve this, there must be enhanced communication, cooperation, and trust among the different sectors and efforts must be aligned with national interests and other security objectives". 

The COAS added that "The strategy can potentially address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social injustice often exploited by adversaries,”  porous and unmanned borders of Nigeria have opened Nigeria to the infiltration of adversaries from the west Africa, adding that “four West African countries ranked among the 10 most terrorised nations of the world is indicative of the transnational affliations existing among terror groups in sub-Saharan Africa.Nigeria army is  deepening synergy with other agencies to achieve the mandates of securing   lives and properties and keeping the country safe". 

The COAS urged the Ministry of  Education and the National Orientation Agency to continue to englighten and sensitise citizens and stakeholders on security and thier roles as citizens. 

He said "This is important as well in understanding the supremacy of national interest and citizens’ responsibility.”

 The COAS further assuring of the government's commitment to securing lives and properties said the  federal government had bought into the concept of the “Whole of Society Approach” in 2016.

”This was by setting up the Presidential Committee on the North-East Initiative (PCNI) and the North-East Development Commission (NEDC) through the NEDC Establishment Acts in 2017,

“The national security strategy, among others, recognises the importance of this concept.

“However, its implementation has become rather slow due to some factors such as collaboration among stakeholders, security awareness, and use of technology, among others". 

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, said the lecture is timely looking at the threats to the existence of the country as he assured  that the University of Ibadan will continue to set the pace and be in the fore front of providing the required teaching and researches that  will   drive the country into prosperity. 

The chairman of the occasion and a former commander, Military Joint Task Force MJTF N’Djamena, Lt.-Gen. Lamidi Adeosun (rtd.), commended the military for keeping the nation united inspite of the threats.