The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher G. Musa, has called on Nigerians to be patriotic, soliciting support for the Armed Forces of Nigeria and security agencies in the quest for national security.
Gen. Musa made the appeal in Abuja while delivering a keynote address at the VON Forum 2025 — a high-level national forum organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation.
It was themed, “Renewed Hope Agenda: Citizens’ Engagement and National Security”.
“We must look at ourselves as Nigerians. It is critical to support the military, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, and security agencies.
Everybody has a role to play. We must learn to love our country…When you grow a monster, it will grow beyond you. It is the silence of the majority that gives them the power to become. If we disallow them, they will never survive.
This is why forums like this are invaluable to dispel misinformation, disinformation, and fake news,” said Gen. Musa.
Nigerian Youths
Speaking on deradicalisation, the Chief of Defence Staff advised Nigerian youths to avoid bad company, warning against the negative impact of the Internet.
“A child learns from the society he grows up in. We must prevent it, and prevention is always better than cure,” he noted.
Speaking also, the former Chief of Army Staff (2019-2021), Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (retd.), reiterated the need to engage the youths particularly in the national security discourse, considering the impact of the social media.
“Citizens should be engaged to counter the propaganda of the terrorists,” he added.
Local Engagement
Also at the event was the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who was represented by Zakari Mijinyawa, the Director of Legal Services in the Office of the National Security Adviser.
He emphasized the importance of security in the development of the nation, calling for partnership with traditional rulers for local engagement.
“A secure Nigeria is not merely built with guns. It is built with trust, vigilance, and the commitment of the citizens.
Security is the foundation of progress: without it, there is no investment, growth nor education. Where there is safety, there is hope,” he said, further enumerating the various extensive security reforms embarked upon by the Office of the National Security Adviser as an organisation.
For his part, the traditional ruler and community leader in the Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, the new Etsu of Kwali, His Royal Highness Luka Ayedoo Nizassan III, pledged to provide every necessary support at the community level.
It was agreed that security is a collective responsibility. And, to build confidence and citizens’ trust in security institutions, quick impact projects are undertaken by the Nigerian military in different zones as part of its civil-military relations.
The VON Forum 2025 provided a strategic platform for inclusive dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholder —including the media, security agencies, policymakers, civil society actors, traditional and religious leaders, and youth representatives.
It aimed to foster national unity, strengthen public trust, and enhance citizen participation in the pursuit of peace, security, and sustainable nation-building.
Olusola Akintonde