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Category: Politics

  • Why we embarked on e-registration—APC

    Why we embarked on e-registration—APC

    E-registration

    By Femi Ogunshola

    Abuja, June 25, 2024(NAN)

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) said on Tuesday in Abuja that it  adopted e-registration to ascertain the true number of its members nationwide.

    Mr Suleiman Argungu, the National Organising Secretary of the party, said this when the National Director, APC Professional Women Council, Mrs Ronke Soyombo, paid him a courtesy visit.

    “Between 2022 and 2023, they said that our party has a certain number of registered members and supporters which we Believe is not real compared to the outcome of the election results“, Argungu said.

    He said in particular was the outcome of the presidential election, adding that the party has now embrace e-registration in other to be sure of the number its members.

    “We want to be sure of what we have on the ground; we want to be sure of the number of members we have in each ward, local government and in each 36 states of the Federation.

    He said that organisations such as APC Professional Women Council would always be encouraged by the party so that they would do more.

    Argungu said the visit would enable the National Working Committee to understand the challenges facing the the party at all levels.

    He urged the women to mobilise for the upcoming e-regitration of members.

    “You said that the men are more in numbers during primary elections, so when it comes to primaries, you must mobilise to have a reasonable number to emerge victorious.

    “So I encourage you to mobilise the number of women that we will be proud of; our purpose of going for e-registration is because of our experience,” he said.

    Soyombo called for more involvement of women in the upcoming governorship elections in Edo and Ondo states.

    “What we are looking for is for the party organ to include women in the Edo and Ondo governorship election as members of key committees.

    “We have able members who can serve as members of critical committees’’, she said adding that the group also supports women at the grassroots”, she said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    ODF/KUA
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    Edited by Uche Anunne

  • Reps move to sanction MTN, Airtel, other defaulting coys on CSR

    Reps move to sanction MTN, Airtel, other defaulting coys on CSR
    Sanction
    By Femi Ogunshola
    Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The House of Representatives Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility (SCR) has resolved to sanction MTN, Airtel, and other companies for failing to perform their Corporate Social Responsibilities.
    The committee said that it would enact laws to sanction any offenders in that regard.
    Rep. Oby Orogbu, the Chairman of the Committee on Corporate Social Responsibility, said this during a public hearing in Abuja on Tuesday on “a Bill to regulate corporate social responsibility in Nigeria.
    She, however, gave MTN and Airtel the last warning to honour the committee’s invitation or face the arrest warrant.
    According to Orogbu, some companies operating in the country have overtime violated the law, hence the need for punishment to be imposed on them.
    She also frowned at the conduct of the National Communications Commission, MTN and Airtel, adding that they had several times ignored the invitation of the Committee.
    She said that the committee had no choice but to invoke its powers by issuing a warrant of arrest.
    “Section 89, 8 of the Constitution mandates individual companies as invited to make themselves available to parliament, but they break the law.
    “I want to tell MTN and Airtel that they take so much from our nation and they feel too big to appear before the parliament; we will not tolerate that.
    “We gave them the powers to operate in Nigeria, so to refuse to honor the invitation of the parliament is a no-no; we take exception to it.
    “I have taken all friendly measures to make them understand the need to appear before the parliament, but they have refused.”
    “If you feel you are responsible, then you should appear before the parliament. We want you to be responsible and accountable,” she said.
    She said that in spite of operating from across the country, they had disrespected the same nation by not honoring the House invitation.
    Mr. Wondi Ndanusa, who spoke on behalf of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, said that the CBN is in support of the bill.
    He expressed concern about the proposed penalty of imprisonment for defaulting companies, stating that the penalty should rather be persuasive.
    He also said that many companies were faced with a lot of financial burdens and responsibilities, adding that the proposed SCR should be domiciled with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
    Mr Bala Wuoir, the representative of the Oil Producers Trade Section, expressed concern that the PIA already mandates oil companies operating in Nigeria to make a financial contribution of three per cent of their profits to NDDC.
    He said that mandating them do so again would be burdensome, adding that oil companies should be exempted from the bill.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
    ODF/SH
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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

  • Stakeholders call for social reorientation of citizens in tackling insurgency

    Stakeholders call for social reorientation of citizens in tackling insurgency

    Insecurity
    By Naomi Sharang
    Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) Stakeholders in the security and media sectors on Tuesday, in Abuja, have called for social reorientation of Nigerians in tackling insecurity in the country.

    The experts in their submissions at the end of a two-day roundtable organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) in collaboration with Development Specs Academy.

    The theme of the event is “Asymmetrical National Security Challenges, the Army and National Development”.

    Executive Director, Development Specs Academy (DSA), Prof. Okey Ikechukwu said that the country has security challenges that were no longer easy to deal with following traditional methods.

    “As such, there is the need for a social reorientation of citizens to divulge information on threats in their communities to security agencies.

    “It is about a progressive change of social attitude about security at the level of awareness, at the level of people knowing that I should have an interest in securing myself. So I should tell persons responsible when I see danger.”

    He said that to deal with the nature of Nigeria’s insecurity, it would require social reorientation, having greater partnerships with Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) and community-based organisations.

    “More importantly, education and reeducation of youth leaders. If they become part of the conversation, they will be in a position to tell those who don’t know what to do with themselves, we give them what to do.”

    “In our village, you notice a stranger, you tell the traditional ruler, they go to the police, that’s what enables security agencies to operate.

    In his remarks, the Director-General of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC). retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab said that the objective the roundtable was to try to foster military-media cooperation and understanding.

    Garba who was represented by retired Maj.-Gen. James Miyam said that the media should continuously try to propagate what the Nigerian Army was doing and by so doing illicit community support among Nigerian citizens.

    “What came out in the roundtable table is that there is an overarching need for perception management by media managers.

    “This is for them to understand and balance the need for them to carry out their responsibilities well.

    He said that that community and citizen support was very critical to the operational activities of the army.

    “So we are trying to now sensitise the entire Nigerian citizenry on the need for them to come where they have information that can enhance operational activities of the military.

    “They should not shy away, they should quickly come forward and give this information,” he said.

    On his part, the Managing Director, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Ali Muhammad Ali, spoke on the topic ‘Professional News Management as Panacea for Infodemics, Misinformation and Fake news”.

    He said that the media globally, played a very important role in practically every aspect of life.

    “In an increasingly shrinking global space marked by exponential growth in media convergence and artificial intelligence, the dampeners of infodemics, misinformation and fake news have all but assumed lives of their own.

    “This development rightly ought to be a source of concern and it is gratifying that NARC and the Development Specs Academy, have given this issue more than cursory attention.”

    He said that Infodemics as defined by David Rothkopf, a journalist and political scientist, is…” a few facts, mixed with fear, speculation and rumor, amplified and relayed swiftly worldwide by modern information technologies”.

    Ali said that infodemics was now dominating national life where purveyors of misinformation and fake news turned little facts on their heads to achieve a predetermined end.

    Proffering solutions to infodemics and misinformation, the MD of NAN said that truthfulness and accuracy must be upheld.

    “We must also be timely in countering misinformation. This entails striking a balance between speedily responding and the volume of information available.”

    For a former spokesman of the army, retired Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman, there was the need to improve the relationship between the Nigerian Army and the public.

    This, he said was to have a better understanding and appreciation of the sacrifices and the efforts of the Nigerian Army in dealing with the security challenges in the country and defending its own territorial integrity.

    He also said that non-violence communication could be integrated in the overall communication strategy of the army in dealing with their relationship with the public.

    In his submission, a traditional ruler from Delta, Prof. Echefuna Onyebeadi said that in spite of the overwhelming evidence of the importance of traditional rulers in the management of national security, there existed some challenges that mitigate their proper functioning in national security.

    “One of the challenges is lack of constitutional role. The Constitution does not make any specific provision for the role of traditional rulers in this country.”

    While expressing sadness over ‘security votes’ to state governors without much results in the fight against insecurity, Onyebeadi said that if part of the votes “trickle down to the traditional domain, it
    would aid national security.

    On the part of the NGO, Executive Director, Hedda Beautiful Hands, Ltd, Hope Ayabina, suggested that the military should get involved with the activities of NGOs.

    “They should teach them a skill or two; security skills preferably- that in itself, can be a tool for intelligence gathering.”

    Similarly, Head of Legal and Training Services at DSA, Margaret Agbo, said that
    the key strategies and methods that could be adopted in effective grassroots intelligence gathering included community engagement.

    “This is in order to establish relationships and build trust.”

    She also said that regular engagements with various levels of the local leadership, influencers and elders would help gain deep insights into various aspects of what held the community together.(NAN)
    (www.nannews.ng)
    NNL/SH

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    edited by Sadiya Hamza

     

  • Sokoto Assembly: No Bill to dethrone Sultan, only to strengthen Institution

     

    Dethronement

     

    By Muhammad Nasir

     

    Sokoto, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Sokoto State House of Assembly on Tuesday clarified that the lawmakers have received no bill before them seeking to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar.

    According to the house, the bill before them only seeks to strengthen the activities of the Sultanate Council of Sokoto.

     

    Alhaji Bello Idris (APC – Gwadabawa North), the House Majority Leader, made this assertion while addressing journalists after the assembly’s plenary session.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that upon resuming from its one-month recess, the assembly deliberated on three Executive Bills.

     

    They included a Bill for a Law to Further Amend the Sokoto State Local Government Law, 2008, to Provide for the Tenure of Local Government Council and for Related Matters.

     

    The second one was a Bill for a Law to Repeal the Sokoto State Prohibition of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities Law No. 1 of 2021.

     

    The third one was a  Bill for a Law to Provide for the Establishment of the State Tenancy Control and Safety of Persons Agency.”

     

    Idris emphasised that the current state administration highly values and respects the Sultan and the Sultanate Council and it was committed to protecting the dignity of the revered institution.

     

    “A Bill to dethrone the Sultan for what crime? This could not and will never happen.

     

    “We at the State Assembly have not received any law attempting to remove the Sultan but instead to strengthen his powers, guard, protect, and promote the institution,” he explained.

     

    The house leader urged the public to disregard any reports of an attempt to dethrone the Sultan, describing such information as a mischievous act.

     

    NAN also reports that the three Bills have since passed the second reading at the plenary and have been referred to the House Committees on Local Government, Social Welfare and Human Rights, and Donor Agencies, respectively. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

     

    BMN/BRM

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    Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani

  • Customs official dies during meeting at NASS, Reps mourn

    Customs official dies during meeting at NASS,Reps mourn
    Death
    By Femi Ogunshola
    Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN)The House of Representatives has expressed shock over the death of a Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) officer at the National Assembly in Abuja ,while attending a committee meeting.
    Rep. Akin Rotimi,  Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, said, in a statement on Tuesday, that the death came as a rude shock to the lawmakers.
    “It is with deep sadness and regret that we confirm the passing of an esteemed official of the NCS who was at the National Assembly for an engagement with a House Committee.
    “During the engagement, which occurred around 1.00 p.m. on June 25, the official developed sudden health complications”,he said.
    According to him, in spite of the immediate and diligent efforts of first responders and medical personnel at the National Assembly Clinic, he unfortunately passed away.
    He said the official’s name would not be disclosed at this time,out of respect for his family.
    According to him, the House extends its heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the deceased during this difficult time.
    “We recognise the significant contributions he made to the Nigeria Customs Service and to our nation
    “The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Abbas Tajudeen, expressed his condolences, saying the House is deeply saddened by the sudden loss of a dedicated public servant.
    “Our hearts go out to his family during this difficult time.”
    Rotimi said the House would  support efforts to understand the circumstances surrounding the incident, adding that it would cooperate fully with all relevant authorities to ensure all necessary protocols were followed.
    The House spokesman  said that further information would be provided on the incident, calling for patience and respect for the privacy of the family during the period of mourning.(NAN)www.nannews.ng
    ODF/BHB
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    Edited by Buhari Bolaji

  • Akpabio dismisses claims of new aircraft for Tinubu, Shettima 

    By Kingsley Okoye

    Abuja, June 25, 2024 (NAN) President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has dismissed claims that the Senate proposed new aircraft for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

    Akpabio, in a statement on Tuesday by Jackson Udom, his Special Assistant on Print Media, gave the clarification during a condolence visit to Sen. Tahir Monguno over the death of his father.

    The president of the Senate said the report attributing the comment to him on the purchase of a new aircraft was not true.

    According to Akpabio, the report is from propagandists and fifth columnists.

    He said the Senate was focused on delivering legislation that would support actualisation of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

    Akpabio, who expressed satisfaction with the present security situation in Borno state, urged Nigerians to continue to pray for the present administration.

    His words: “I want to dispel the rumour that you are hearing that the Senate President said he will buy a new plane for the President and his Vice, irrespective of the fact that Nigerians are hungry or whatever.

    “I never said that. I was actually in Zanzibar, Tanzania.

    “It is the handiwork of propagandists and fifth columnists, who never see anything good in what we are doing.

    “Be rest assured, pray for the government, have patience and be assured that the combination of Tinubu and Shettima will bring wealth and prosperity to all.

    “I am happy to see that peace has returned to Borno, as a result of the hard work of President Bola Tinubu.

    “I want to tell the good of people of Borno to continue to support the administration.”(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    KC/KTO/AMM

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    Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo and Abiemwense Moru

     

  • Protest: Lagos APC youths condemn attack on party chairman

    Protest: Lagos APC youths condemn attack on  party chairman

    Condemnation

    By Adeyemi Adeleye

    Lagos, June 25, 2024 (NAN) The Youth Wing of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Badagry Division, Lagos State, has condemned Monday’s  attack on the State Party Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, during a protest at the party secretariat in Ikeja.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some members  of the party in  Alimosho  had,during the protest,attempted to  manhandle and  beat him before the intervention of security agents.

    The protesters were allegedly angry that members of the caucus they belong were not recognised at a  meeting ,convened  by Ojelabi  to reconcile disagreeing groups in  the local government area.

     

    Mr Moses Aina,  Public Relations Officer of  APC Youths, Badagry Division and  Legislative House Leader , Oto Awori Local Council Development Area, in a statement on Tuesday,said  the attack on the chairman was unacceptable.

    “It has come to our attention that some members of APC from Alimosho recently carried out an attack on the State Chairman of our great party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

    “This act is both condemnable and unacceptable.

    “As APC youths from Badagry Division, we strongly condemn this act of violence and call on the leadership of our party to investigate the matter.

    “We urge the Governor’s Advisory Council (GAC) of the party to take swift action against those that would be found to be culpable in this uncivilised act,” Aina said.

    According to him, if anybody or group within the party has any problem with  the leadership of the party, such should follow due process by bringing the matter to the knowledge of the party for amicable resolution.

    “Resorting to jungle justice such as launching an attack on the state chairman of our great party leaves much to be desired and can never help in solving misunderstanding,” he added.

    Aina said that the APC, under the leadership of Ojelabi, had a reputation for hard work and adding value .

    “We will not allow an ugly and unholy behaviour from some disgruntled elements to tarnish the image and reputation of our ever-performing party.

    “We will not tolerate any form of violence or intimidation within our party.

    “We must uphold the principles of our party and ensure that those who violate them are held accountable,” he said.

    The councilor, representing Ward D in the LCDA, said Badagry Division would continue to stand in solidarity with Ojelabi and the leadership of the APC in Lagos.

    He called on all members of the party to remain peaceful and refrain from any form of violence.

    “Let us work together to build a stronger and better APC for the good of Lagos State and our great nation.

    “Let us all stand together and work as a team towards a better future for ourselves and generations to come,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AYO/BHB

    Edited by Buhari Bolaji

  • Atiku urges governors to respect traditional institutions

    Respect

    By Emmanuel Oloniruha

    Abuja, June 25, 2024(NAN) A former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has called on state governors to respect traditional institutions in the country.

    Abubakar, in a statement issued on Tuesday, also called for a constitutional reform that would recognise traditional institutions and also define the responsibilities of their offices.

    He said that recent developments in the country had seen a growing tendency of state governments to exert influence in distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools.

    The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections described the trend as a reality that stared Nigerians in the face from every corner of the country.

    He said it was understandable that the institutions of traditional rulers were in the exclusive purview of the state government through the local government authorities.

    Abubakar, however, said it must be established that traditional institutions constituted a component of the country’s governance structure.

    “Traditional institutions must be protected from the arbitrariness of state governments that threatens their stability.

    “When the structure of ascension of traditional rulers is unstable, it will become equally difficult to maintain peace and orderliness in communities.

    “Although our constitution, in its current format, does not ascribe any recognition to traditional institutions, our experiences show clearly that they perform enormous roles in the economic life of their domains, as well as maintenance of peace and security in communities,” he said

    Abubakar noted that the traditional institutions formed the governance structures before the advent of the colonialists.

    “They governed well; the institutions must be protected, preserved and not be destroyed.

    “It is, therefore, on this basis that I lean toward the advocacy that calls for constitutional reform that will not just recognise traditional institutions in our body of laws, but also define the responsibilities of their offices.

    “This reform is even more important given the collective drive to stem the ugly tide of terrorism and sundry security challenges at the local levels.

    “I must also appeal to state governors to accord the necessary respect to the offices of traditional institutions.

    “The customs that our traditional rulers represent is the totality of our heritage as a people,” Abubakar said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

     

    OBE/KTO/CJ/

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    Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo and Chijioke Okoronkwo

     

  • Protest at Lagos APC secretariat exaggerated- Spokesman

     

    Protest at Lagos  APC secretariat exaggerated– Spokesman

    Protest

    By Adeyemi Adeleye
    Lagos, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State says the protest by some party members at its secretariat on Monday was exaggerated by some media platforms.

     

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a section of the media had reported that some angry APC members from Alimosho Local Government Area on Monday protested at the party secretariat  and nearly beat up the State Party Chairman, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

    Reacting, the Lagos State Publicity Secretary of APC, Mr Seye Oladejo described what happened as mere tempest in a teacup.

    Oladejo said: “Our attention has been drawn to the news going round about a purported protest rocking Lagos APC.

    “As much as this sensational piece of news might throw the opposition camp into premature celebration, the incident was a storm in a tea cup.”

    According to him, since  assumption of office ,the State Chairman Ojelabi, has continuously sought peaceful co-existence of all party members in all parts of the state.

    He added: “It is on record that he has , at various times, been able to successfully reconcile warring party members across board to ensure cohesion.

    “The incident today was about a meeting conveyed to reconcile the different factions of the party in Alimosho Local Government Area, which was unfortunately infiltrated by uninvited thugs with ulterior motives.”

    The party’s spokesman, however,said security agencies  promptly brought  the situation under control.

    He said that the victory of the progressives in the state since the inception of the present dispensation had been due to life-changing policies by various responsive and responsible governments and strict compliance with party discipline.

    “Lagos State APC has a time- tested mechanism for settling disputes and will not hesitate to wield the big stick if need be.

    “The sacrifices of the founding fathers of the party to engender democracy cannot be sacrificed on the altar of indiscipline and intolerance.

    “We acknowledge protests as an integral part of democracy, but it has to be within acceptable norms without infringing on the rights of others,” Oladejo said.

    Speaking with NAN on the protest, Mrs Omotayo Oduntan, who represented Alimosho Constituency II at the Lagos State House of Assembly for three tenures, described the protest as unfortunate.

    Commending Ojelabi for his peace moves, Oduntan said that the protest was instigated by  some leaders from The Mandate Movement ,who felt their people were not recognised at the reconciliation meeting initiated by the state party chairman on Monday.

    Oduntan, a former Deputy Chief Whip, who was also at the secretariat for the meeting, said the Mandate Group and the Justice Forum were the two major groups within APC in Alimosho LGA.

    According to her, some leaders and members of  Mandate Group (led by Alhaji Abdullahi Enilolobo) moved out of the group  to form the Mandate Movement (TMM).

    She said Ojelabi invited  three people from each of the two major groups (Justice Forum and Mandate group)  to the Monday meeting with  some party officials  and council chairmen in local government area.

    Oduntan alleged  that some leaders in Mandate Group felt they were not recognised and mobilised thugs to protest and disrupt the meeting.

    *It is not we in Justice Forum that have issues. It is the Mandate;It is Mandate versus Mandate now.

    “The people that instigated the protest were people who  left Enilolobo’s Mandate Group ,they were the people fighting   among themselves”,she said.

    Oduntan said that the group should have  resolved the issues amicably among  themselves instead of using  violence and protest to vent their grievances.

    “They should allow peace to reign. Nobody can be in government forever, Some will go and another set will come in. I don’t think that should bring a problem.

    “If the party asked you to go and sit down after you have benefitted many times  from the party, let us try to sit down.

     

    “Another  thing will come to you. There are thousands of people outside there who haven’t benefitted anything.

    “We don’t want our people to suffer, because at the end of the day ,it is the people that will suffer. We should allow peace to reign,” (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
    AYO/BHB

    Edited by Buhari Bolaji

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Nigerian Army plegdes continuous fight against insurgency without reservation

    Nigerian Army pledges continuous fight against insurgency without reservation

    Security

    By Naomi Sharang

    Abuja, June 24, 2024 (NAN) The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has said that the military would continue to operate without any reservation in ensuring the safety and security of citizens.

    Lagbaja said this at a roundtable held in Abuja on Monday, organised by the Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC), in collaboration with Development Specs Academy.

    The event is themed, “Asymmetrical National Security Challenges, the Army and National Development”.

    Declaring the roundtable opened, Lagbaja said that the Nigerian Army would not relent in combating insurgency and other security threats in the country.

    “The Nigerian Army in collaboration with its sister services and other security agencies will continue to operate without any reservation in ensuring the safety and security of the country for the development of all Nigerians.

    “The theme of the event is apt particularly at this time when the nation is facing various security challenges.

    “I am optimistic that this interaction will deliver practical solutions that can be easily implemented.

    “I assure you of the army headquarters’ engagement to a timely resolution of all insecurity issues in a manner that is favourable to the country and its citizens.”

    He, however, appealed to Nigerians to support the army with the needed information on suspicious persons
    in their communities.

    “I appeal to all Nigerians to continue supporting the Nigerian army and other security agencies in their quest to bring rapid peace, which is necessary for sustainable development.

    “Nigerians should continue to support the army; it is the people’s army. We are working to bring about the peace and security that Nigerians yearn so much for.

    “I appeal to Nigerians to support the army with information and any other form of support that will grant flexibility to the troops, to be effective in combating the enemies of the state.

    “Security is a whole of society’s responsibility and all stakeholders must understand each other and build trust and relationships among themselves,” Lagbaja said.

    He further said that the position of the army to all forms of threat was that, “we will work in line with the constitutional provisions to combat all enemies of the state and bring about the much desired peace and stability within the country”.

    Also speaking, Director-General of NARC, retired Maj.-Gen. Garba Wahab said the military owed Nigerians the responsibility to combat insurgency.

    “We owe ourselves the responsibility to tackle our security challenges. We must find a way of ensuring that these issues are tackled.

    “This forum is not about fault finding but finding solutions that will improve performance by the Nigerian Army,” Wahab said.

    Similarly, Executive Director, Development Specs Academy, Prof. Okey Ikechukwu, decried the situation where soldiers and the military no longer get intelligence from communities in the fight against insecurity.

    “Soldiers and the military have been doing a lot. But that which they are doing is misunderstood.

    “Most communities no longer give them intelligence. So you find the people whose job depends on the information they get from communities not helping them.

    “These men are here to secure us, so we need to give them the needed information. This is our country. We need to fix it,” he said.

    In his presentation, the President, Nigerian
    Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku, said that the media ought to carry out reporting and discussions with responsibility with regards to issues on insecurity.

    “When we don’t take responsibility in whatever we are doing as we report our nation, we leave our nation vulnerable to the risk of assessment and perception by other nations and when that happens, our reputation will be in deficit,” he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the roundtable had as strategic partners, the Voice of Nigeria (VON), NAN and NIPR. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

    NNL/AMM
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    Edited by Abiemwense Moru