By Ibrahim H. Tinja
Renowned security experts converged at the HOJ Annual Summit/Banquet to brainstorm and proffer solutions to Nigeria’s lingering security challenges. Security experts, including Former Chief of Defense Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai, Major General Zamani Lekwot, and Group Captain Sadeeq Garba Shehu, all emphasized the need for sustained efforts to eliminate bandits and the Lukurawa groups, which are undermining the nation’s security.
In his presentation, Group Captain Sadeeq Garba Shehu, an African Union Security and Safety Expert, noted that since the advent of democracy in 1999, there has been an outcry for security overhaul towards a comprehensive address of the nation’s challenges, but to no avail. He emphasized the need for mass recruitment in the Police and Military personnel, citing the current meager ratio of security personnel to the population.
Shehu also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to implement the Security Sector Reform report, emphasizing that the report contains all the necessary recommendations to address Nigeria’s security problems. He advised the government to give more powers to the Minister of Defense, as the present arrangement does not provide for the minister to implement strong administrative instructions on security.
Former Chief of Defence Staff General Martin Luther Agwai, who chaired the summit, called for an overhaul of the recruitment process in the security architecture as part of steps towards tackling insecurity. General Agwai expressed concerns over the current recruitment process, where highly placed government officials decide who is recruited.
The Former Chief of Defense Staff noted that the current security challenges must be put to an end so that the country will be on the right track to achieving desired growth and development. In a presentation, former Director General National Orientation Agency Mr. Mike Omeri stated that the problems of justice, fairness, and equity have continued to escalate and heighten insecurity in the country.
He said the system has made it necessary for Nigerians to resort to non-conventional avenues, such as TV shows or prominent personalities, to seek justice. The Chief Executive Officer House of Justice, convener of the summit, Barrister Gloria Ballason, while speaking on dispensation of Justice, appealed for timely dispensation of Justice by the Judiciary.
Barrister Ballason emphasized that the Judiciary must ensure timely and efficient justice delivery. She noted that while there are judges and lawyers who serve with honor, ethical mistakes must be corrected, egregious violations must be penalized, and breaches of trust or crimes must be acknowledged and effectively redressed.
The Justice sector, according to her, cannot attract public confidence if it is not, like Caesar’s wife, above board. Barrister Ballason also called for national Re-Orientation and consistent reinforcement of values and behaviors that sufficiently mobilize citizens to act in ways that promote peace, harmony, and national development. The summit was well attended by security, economic, and social value experts within and outside the country.
