By SUNDAY ABBA, Abuja
The Coordinator, Nigerian National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Major General Adamu Garba Laka, has avowed that the more sustainable path to achieving peace and security lies in non-kinetic measures, especially those that address the root drivers of violence and create opportunities for peaceful coexistence.
General Laka made the declaration while welcoming stakeholders to the launch of the Grey Child Foundation’s “Community Violence Reduction” programme, organised in conjunction with NCTC and other stakeholders at the centre, on behalf of the National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu.
Laka said “At the NCTC, we recognise that kinetic actions provide only temporary results. The more sustainable path lies in non-kinetic measures; those that address the root drivers of violence and create opportunities for peaceful coexistence.
“This is the heart of our engagement today. Our resolve is firm; we will continue to deploy every resource, expertise, and partnership at our disposal to make Nigeria safer and more secure through diverse and targeted activities across communities.”
Stressing the importance of the programme, General Laka said, “As we are all aware, Nigeria continues to grapple with a myriad of security challenges ranging from terrorism, insurgency, and banditry to violent extremism. These threats endanger lives and property, disrupt livelihoods, and undermine national development. Before now, the responsibility for addressing these challenges rested almost entirely with the government and security agencies.
“It is, however, comforting to note that this is no longer the case, as civil society organisations, community groups, the private sector, international partners and other stakeholders have increasingly joined hands to confront these threats. This collective approach has expanded the range of interventions and strengthened our capacity to address the root causes of violence.
“It is in addressing these challenges that today’s launch finds its relevance. The “Grey Child Foundation Programme on Community Violence Reduction” is designed to tackle these threats from their roots by strengthening communities, promoting resilience, and preventing the conditions that breed violence.”
He maintained that the launch of the programme, following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Wednesday, 18 June 2025 which established the partnership with the foundation, “reflects our commitment to a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach, through mobilising and collaborating with key stakeholders to address the full spectrum of violence and social restiveness”.
He concluded with a Clarion call for all hands to be on deck in securing a safe and peaceful society that all desire saying, “We will not relent, and we call on government institutions, civil society, the private sector, the media, and our international partners to be with us in this mission. It is only through collective efforts that we can build the Nigeria we all desire.”
Delivering her goodwill message, Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Imani Sulaiman-Ibrahim who also placed emphasis on inclusive approach to tackling security threats for sustainable peace to reign called for strengthened collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure a holistic and sustained approach to peacebuilding and resilience.
She said, “I commend the National Counter Terrorism Centre for this laudable initiative in launching the Community Violence Reduction Programme. This marks a significant step towards fostering peace, security, and resilience in our communities.
“As we strengthen our national security architecture, it is imperative to continuously mainstream gender perspectives; ensuring that women, men, girls, and boys are equally engaged in prevention, response, and recovery efforts. This inclusive approach enhances the effectiveness and sustainability of counter-terrorism strategies.”
According to her, “the family remains the first line of defence against the roots of violence and extremism. By equipping families with the right values, resources, and support systems, we can address vulnerabilities early and build a culture of peace and tolerance from the ground up”.
She noted that the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through her ministry, is championing the proper rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of terrorism through its Renewed Hope Social Impact Intervention Programmes.
“We remain committed to providing psychosocial support, livelihood empowerment, and community reintegration pathways that restore dignity and opportunity,” she said.
Speaking, the Director General of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Dr Abdulateef Shittu, pledged continued support of the forum for government and the security agencies in the quest for a peaceful and secure society, even as he commended the whole-society approach being adopted in combating the various forms of violent crime constituting a threat to national security and development.
“The NGF on its part is being proactive towards augmenting the efforts of the federal government towards surmounting these challenges, as several policy initiatives are being introduced to address the emerging trend of crimes and criminality in our communities.
“It is therefore always ready to partner with federal government through ONSA and other agencies of government to find a common ground towards addressing our national security challenges, particularly those related to terrorism, armed banditry, drug abuse, and ethno religious intolerance,” he said.
On his part, the Chairman, Grey Child Foundation, Dr Pietro Uzochukwu, said the programme is “an initiative built on hope, collaboration, resilience, and the unwavering belief that peace is possibile right here. in our communities, and across Nigeria”.
He explained that the programme has immediate, short, and long term deliverables, and targets communities in the six geopolitical zones, including the 36 States and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja; and focuses on vulnerable and at-risk groups, including women, youth, children, persons living with disabilities, the elderly, and victims of violence.
On the activities of his organisation, he said, “Gray Child Foundation is an indigenous non-governmental organization that is intervening in peacebuilding, violence prevention and human security thematic areas; together with our strategic partners, the Rotary Action Group for Peace — Nigeria Chapter.”
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of Rotary Nigeria, Mohammed Dantata, said the Rotary is deploying the same zeal, vision, and infrastructure that it had committed in bringing polio to virtually zero level in the country to the National Community Violence Reduction programme, “trusting that together we shall put an end to violence extremism, terrorism, banditry and all manner of social restive issues in the country, in line with Rotary’s vision”.
“As a partner in this initiative, the Rotary Action Group for Peace is proud to contribute to this transformative work. We are committed to supporting community-driven solutions; investing in youth and women focused interventions; and encouraging a shift in how we approach peace and security ~ not just through force, but through collaboration, dialogue, and dignity, he said.
High point of the launch was the unveiling of the programme, performed by the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imani Sulaiman-Ibrahim alongside General Laka and other dignitaries.
Other dignitaries – stakeholders, present or represented at the launch, from public and private sectors included Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar Bagudu; Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, represented by Major General U B Abubakar; and Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa; Chairman House Committee on Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion, Honourable (Engr) Sadiq Abbas Tafida (Chiroman Muri).
Others were Chairman House Committee on Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation; Chairman House Committee on Youth, Mr Martins Esin; Heads of federal and state government establishments; SA to Mr President on Humanitarian Affairs, Honourable Binta Audu; SA to Mr President on Capital Building, Mr. Sadiq Rabiu; etc.