The current security challenges confronting Nigeria requires a collective and patriotic approach to address them.
Secretary to the Nigerian government Mr. Boss Mustapha stated this while declaring open, 2nd National Peace and security summit organised by the Nigeria Labour Congress NLC in Abuja with the theme Overcoming The Siege Of Insecurity In Nigeria: Imperatives Of Human And Physical Security.
The 2nd National Peace and security summit of NLC brought together stakeholders from government, security, Judiciary, Civil Society Organisations and trade unions with the aim to deliberate on the challenges of peace, security and development in Nigeria as well as proffer workable and sustainable solutions.
According to Boss Mustapha, security is a collective responsibility that requires a concerted effort in achieving peace in the nation.
“All Nigerians regardless of political, religious, ethnic or any form of affiliation should be bound together,” SGF said.
The SGF said, “this is the time that we must answer the clarion call to come together as a people and to beat this common enemy of the country that is assuming a frightening dimension.”
While commending NLC for organising the summit, Boss Mustapha, identified synergy between labour and government as crucial to peace and development.
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Former Senate President Mr. Ken Nnamani who described labour as strategic to the stability of democracy urged the NLC to continue the crusade of fighting insecurity through sensitisation of Nigerians.
Mr. Ken urged the Nigerian government to ensure fairness among its citizens by giving them a sense of belonging.
He said, “this is not the time to point fingers. Government have challenges to maintain lives and property. Heaven helps people who helped themselves. It is our responsibility to educate our people that all the unknown gunmen once they have finished chasing away soldiers and Policemen, will put heavy taxes on us. So the time to act is now.”
Federal Constitution
A Pioneer president of the NLC Mr. Hassan Sunmonu, who faulted the present federal system, appealed to Nigerian leaders to come up with a better federal constitution that will address Nigeria’s problems.
The president of Nigeria Labour Congress NLC Mr Ayuba Wabba who stressed the need to carry out a national rally on peace, security and national unity, called on the Nigerian government to improve the safety of workers at all levels as a way of mitigating insecurity.
Wabba said, “the 2nd National Peace and security summit is moderated by the International labour congress recommendation 205 on employment and for decent work, for peace and resilience which recognizes the importance of employment and decent work, for promoting peace, preventing crisis situation arising from conflicts and disaster, enabling recovery and building resilience.”
He said, “The ILO recommendation 205 emphasises that there cannot be sustainable peace and security without respect for human rights and rule of law.”
A paper was presented on overcoming the siege of insecurity in Nigeria: The imperatives of human and physical security by Professor Etannibi Alemika, of the University of Jos.
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