President of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Chris Isiguzo has said a security summit that would throw up solutions to the myriad of security challenges besetting the nation is underway.
He said the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; and National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike amongst others are billed to speak at the National Security and Development Summit.
Isiguzo noted that the security summit was designed to make the union play its active role in national development by promoting conversations that would improve the safety of lives and property as well as boost economic activities.
He said the challenge of insecurity manifests differently in the various political zones and the security agencies need to respond to these theaters separately.
According to him while the phenomenon of Unknown gunmen is prevalent in the Southeast, the challenge of ritual killings and kidnapping are common in the Southwest while the south south is battling the issue of oil theft, a security concern which has assumed national economic sabotage.
He stated that the peculiarity of the Northeast has been that of Boko Haram and Northwest Kidnapping and the case of illegal mining and the North Central which has become a hotbed for kidnapping.
All these concerns that retard national growth and development, he noted have tasked the Union to lend its voice to this national challenge for lasting solution.
The event, titled: ‘National Security and Development,’ is organised by the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ) and New National Star Newspaper in Abuja.
The Managing Director of the New National Star Newspaper, Obinna Nwachukwu, said it was time for the media to champion the fight against banditry through the instrumentality of the pen.
“As you are aware, for more than a decade now, Security has become a major issue in Nigeria. Nowhere is safe, Even Abuja and the FCT the nation’s capital are not safe like before.
“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 gunmen.
“In the South West is 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.
“Therefore, this conference is designed to bring all key stakeholders together to address these issues with a view to finding 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 Organisations, 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.
“His Excellency, Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has accepted to chair the conference.
“The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is the Special Guest of Honour and he will deliver the Keynote Address while HE Chief Nyesom Wike the Honourable Minister of the FCT is the Chief Host.
“The Guest Speaker is no other than Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, former Inspector-General of Police and current Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC) He will speak on “Citizen Engagement in the Fight against Crime and Criminalities in Nigeria,” Nwachukwu said.
“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, communities, and organizations should respond to incidents and the role and responsibilities we have to secure our communities.
“Indeed, knowledge has always been power. Therefore, sharing knowledge will help us innovatively contain security challenges,” he added.