The Nigerian Army Resource Centre recently held a seminar on enhanced civil-military relations between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the civil society at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Abuja.
The 2-day Seminar which was organized by the Centre in collaboration with the Institute for Governance and Leadership Studies in Africa (IGLSA) is an outcome of a joint assessment of the current state of civil-military relations between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the civil-society. During the seminar it was revealed that, while the Armed Forces enjoyed vibrant civil-military relations at the strategic level, the situation is not the same at the operational levels.
In his welcome address, the Director General Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Maj Gen Johnny Hamakim (rtd) stated that given the 21st Century asymmetric security environment the military is operating in, particularly at the domestic level as well as the multifaceted nature of the threats facing the country, there is the urgent need to improve on the current synergy between the Armed Forces and the civil society.[images_grid auto_slide=”no” auto_duration=”1″ cols=”three” lightbox=”yes” source=”media: 4317,4314,4316″][/images_grid]
Gen Hamakim noted that the Centre is optimistic that the seminar will open a new vista of improved synergy, understanding and collaboration between the Nigerian Armed Forces and the civil society for the good of the country. He however called on the participants to use the opportunity to widen and deepen the scope of interaction and fraternity, which is critical for improved relations.
It will be recalled that the NARC was established in November, 2015 as a Think-Tank in proffering solutions to contemporary defence and security issues confronting the NA and the Nigerian state at large. Thus, the Centre since its establishment has been committed to driving the COAS vision of having a professional Army befitting of the 21st century complex and fluid domestic and international security environment, which requires an army with the mastery of kinetic and soft power to successfully navigate it.
The event brought together members of the civil society organizations, human rights activists and erudite Professors from all works of life. Others were the Chief of Civil-military affairs Maj Gen NE Angbazo, Director NA Consult Maj Gen SI Yusuf, senior officers from sister services and other security Agencies and senior officers both serving and retired. The high point of the occasion was the presentation of certificates to the participants.
