By Justina Auta
Former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to late Sani Abacha, Hamza Al-Mustapha has advocated a stronger synergy between Nigeria and other border nations to address insecurity affecting the country.
He made this call on Tuesday at the first National Launch of Kick Peace Nigeria organised by International Association of World Peace Advocates in Abuja.
According to him, the insecurity affecting the nation was worrisome, adding that unless the causes were identified, using the military and force was not enough to curtail the situation.
He also, stressed the need for stakeholders, especially the government and the media engage in peace education, sustenance and promotion to be able to achieve success.
“Some of the solutions today that the government is investing heavily in the containment of threat, that is using the military or using force is not enough.
“Education, mobilisation of the people, mobilisation and educating the youths that is peace education, peace sustenance, peace promotion not only in Nigeria but synergizing with other African countries that surrounds Nigeria.
“If we can look at some other barriers and do away with them, we can come together and make sure that numerous immigration issues are reduced, we will be able to see lots of threats that permeates in between.
“The media should look inward and look at the threats, that of media is peace education or peace enlightenment and peace sustenance, which requires intermittently reawakening the people of the existence of threats and what is expected of the citizens,” he said.
Mr John Shishi, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Law, Nassarawa State University, while decrying the effects of insecurity in the nation, called for implementation of strategies towards achieving peace in the country.
Shishi noted that separating the state from religion in practical terms, resetting Motives Values and Preferences (MVP), practicing true federalism, good governance, efficient tax system, among others would aide.
He also stressed the need for reforming the security structure, boosting border security and running an inclusive security to address insecurity in the country.
On her part, Amina Temitope-Ajayi, popularly known as “Mama Diaspora’’ stressed the need for peace and justice, as a panacea to sustainable development in Nigeria.
Temitope Ajayi, who was conferred with Eminent Peace Ambassador, said insecurity in the country had necessitated the need to interrogate the concept of governance in Nigeria de to its role in ensuring security, sustainable peace and justice.
“Factors that caused insecurity are tied down to lack of transparency and accountability, situation where some ethnic groups feel marginalised.
“Others are religious intolerance, electoral malpractice, mismanagement of funds, high level of unemployment and the lack of respect to the rule of law, to mention but a few,’’ she said.
She, therefore, called for a reduction on overdependence on oil revenue, ensure transparency and accountability for good governance and electoral processes must be free, fair and credible, job opportunities to address challenges.
Other highlights of the events was the conferment of eminent peace awards to notable Nigerians for their role in peace building and addressing insecurity in the country.
Also, in attendance were representatives from other countries such as South Africa, Central African Republic, Niger Republic, Cameroon, amongst others.
