By Deborah Coker
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, on Thursday said that the survival of any country depends largely on its ability to confront any security threat.
Musa said this in his remarks at the opening of the 13th National Security Seminar organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC), holding in Abuja.
Represented by Maj.-Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, Chief of Training and Operations, the CDS noted that in recent times, the global security environment has become more volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous, requiring more resilience and dynamic approach to address.
He added that the security challenges Nigeria had dealt with over the years have negatively impacted the social, economic and other issues on citizens.
According to him, these challenges include terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, transnational crimes and other social vices.
”The novelty and dynamic nature of these, underpins the requirement for a comprehensive approach to address them. A comprehensive approach begins with collaboration among stakeholders to enable us effectively address a continuously evolving threats within our country.
”As such, efforts of all forms will be required to address these challenges appropriately.
”It is also important to mention that the armed forces of Nigeria consider it a priority to secure the territorial integrity of our country by land, sea and air’’.
The CDS said priorities would continue to be put in ensuring peace and security of the country.
”Despite the efforts of the military so far, the security challenges between our borders still persist. This means that notwithstanding the successes already achieved in various sectors of operation, there is still much more to be done.
”Equally, the Armed Forces of Nigeria has come to appreciate that owing to the complex and unique nature of security threats in contemporary times, there is need for all stakeholders to work together.
”This is because no single service or agency can effectively address this threats alone.
”Moreover, these security challenges have become increasingly diverse and unconventional, thus the need for a forum where we will collectively resolve to provide valuable insights and perspectives’’, he added.
Musa expressed confidence that the seminar would be fruitful and rewarding, as the forum was aimed at promoting social, intellectual and professional interaction on security issues towards enhancing the security of the country.
”The expectation is that our collective discussions will generate a common understanding of pressing security challenges and enable the exploration of innovative solutions to ensure a safe and prosperous future for all Nigerians.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar has the theme ‘ Curbing Oil Theft and Illegal Crude Oil Refining In Nigeria’. (NAN)