The Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) foundation held a Security Forum on the 4th of April 2019 at Fraser Suit, Central Business District, Abuja Nigeria. The topic of discussion was: INSECURITY IN NIGERIA – CHALLENGES AND RECOMMENDATIONS. One of the representatives of the HUT Foundation was in attendance.
The welcoming address given by Dr. Vladimir Kreck, the Resident Representative of KAS, highlighted a few points on the insecurity issues in Nigeria. First was the prevalence of insecurity in the country which in turn hampers economic growth, and the second point was to have an enriching discuss that belies the purpose of the forum.
The first speaker, Prof. Oshita O. Oshita, Executive Director Ubuntu Centre of Africa peace building and Development (UCAP), presented a paper on the forum’s topic. Part of the points raised was the need for security and welfare of the citizens to be the primary focus of the government. Once a government fails to achieve this, the spates of violence are bound to erupt within that State. Going further, he added that Nigerian security agents only use reactive response when faced with violent uprising. He enjoined these agents to focus on the root of a problem in order to effectively end such occurrences.
Among the many recommendations proffered by Prof. Oshita was the need to tackle corrupt practices and to establish equitable remuneration system that will protect the traditional rulers from political manipulation and bullying.
The third speaker at the forum was Emmanuel A. Adeoye, the Deputy Commandant General (Crisis Management Directorate) of NSCDC. He spoke on the need for Nigeria to recreate democracy to suit our modern needs, refashioning it to our own unique model that works. Another point he raised was the failure of the government to ensure food and health security. These factors play a major role in deterring citizens from using violence as a means of survival.
Ayokunle Fagbemi, the Executive Director, Centre for Peace-Building and Socio-Economic Resources Development (CePSERD), drew our attention to the rise of proliferation of small arms. He attributed this to the increasing fear of the people and their lack of faith in the protective responsibility of security agents.
A criminal justice system that works was also highlighted as a major deterrent of acts of violence. He further emphasised the need for police reforms, stating that that agency had a knack for misnaming crimes in other to avoid carrying out proper thorough investigation.
A session was held after the tea break where several of issues were extensively discussed. Questions were asked, contributions were given and recommendations were finally offered.
The forum organised by KAS, gave the HUT foundation an opportunity to participate in a programme that educate and proffer solutions to the many social devices that plagues this nation. It was an enriching experience.
The HUT Foundation 