The Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ and the New National Star Newspaper is to organize a 1-day national security conference with the Theme: “National security and development” designed to address insecurity in the country
The summit is expected to bring stakeholders together to seek solutions to insecurity in the country.
The NUJ National President, Mr. Chris Isiguzo said that the conference will foster connection among citizens and critical stakeholders , security administrators and leaders .
“Through knowledge sharing and collaboration, ideas leading to strategic resolutions will be developed, with agreed mechanisms for implementation, towards safeguarding our environment and restoring security and safety in the nation. By coming together, we will share insights on how we, as individuals, community and organizations should respond to incidents and the role and responsibilities we have to secure our communities. Indeed, knowledge has always been power”. Isiguzo said.
He said that as journalists, there was the need to bring stakeholders together to proffer solutions as insecurity does not select professions to affect.
” Therefore, sharing knowledge will help us innovatively contain security challenges”.
The Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of the New National Star Newspapers, Mr Obinna Nwachukwu, in a pre summit briefing in Abuja, said that in more than a decade now, security has become a major issue in Nigeria.
“But one thing is clear, although insecurity is everywhere in the country, still, each region/zone has its own peculiar security issues. In the South-South it is crude oil theft, oil bunkering and sea pirates. In the South East is the menace of the now infamous “ unknown gun men”. In the North East is Boko Haram /terrorism, North West is illegal oil mining while North Central is Farmers/Herders crisis etc. However, in all these zones, armed robbery, kidnapping and murder are common experiences.” Mr. Nwachukwu said.
He said that the conference is designed to bring all key stakeholders together to address these issues with a view to finding a lasting, workable solutions
“It is part of our contributions to societal growth and development. It shall bring together, security stakeholders, professionals, political leaders, Civil society Organizations, journalists, community and religious leaders, citizens and residents in the country, with the aim of reaching out to each other to collectively address the growing insecurity in the country” . He said.
Mr. Nwachukwu also noted that Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has accepted to chair the conference, while the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu will be the Special Guest of Honour and he will deliver the keynote address while Nyesom Wike the Minister of the FCT will be the Chief Host
He added that paper titled “Citizen Engagement in the fight against crime and criminalities in Nigeria “ will be delivered at the summit.
The conference will have in attendance Heads of all security agencies, the National Security Adviser and other critical security stakeholders, heads of paramilitary agencies, representatives of local community policing groups, Area Council Chairmen in FCT, community leaders, heads of academic institutions, residential estate representatives, heads of identified professional groups and other strategic persons.
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