The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) is set to collaborate with the Nigerian Army Resource Centre to host a specialized programme for identified stakeholders target audience with the theme. “Joint Interactive Session on Counter-Insurgency, Terrorism, Election and Violence: The Role of Security Agencies.”
The overriding need to conduct the programme has become necessary in view of recent experiences before, during and after the just concluded 2019 general elections and the prevailing security threats in some parts of the country. Additionally, the programme is mainly designed as an intervention strategy to address pressing challenges of the Nigerian Nation on counter-insurgency, terrorism, election violence and the role of security agencies through sensitization of citizens for violence-free elections.
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The main aims and objectives of the programme is to identify the role of the security agencies in curbing insurgency, terrorism and violence during elections in Nigeria through collaborative partnership between AUDA-NEPAD/APRM and the Nigerian Army as the frontline institution in the country’s security architecture.
In a concept paper presented by the NEPAD to the office the Chief of Army Staff, seeking for NA’s collaboration in the programme, it stated the primary objectives of NEPAD are to eradicate poverty in Nigeria, to place Africa individually and collectively on the part of sustainable growth and development, to halt the marginalization of Africa in the globalization process and enhance its full and beneficial integration into the global economy and to also accelerate the empowerment of women and youth.
It was discussed in the paper, that violence generally, is occasioned by insurgency, terrorism, militancy and electoral malpractices. It emphasized that insecurity has become a re-occurring threat to achieving democracy and good governance in Nigeria and Africa at large. However, this ugly hydra headed problem is inimical to democracy and efforts must be made to combat it. It added that the prevailing issues of violence and terrorism have created a large vacuum on human relationship and peaceful co-existence among the citizens in the Nigerian society.
In her remark, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of NEPAD, Honourable (Princess) Gloria Akobundu said that envisaged collaboration with the NA is very important for NEPAD, the country and all the stakeholders involved in order to drive the security programme successfully. She also said the collaboration will enhance the security and peaceful co-existence of Nigerians, for enhanced electoral process to deepen democratic culture in Nigeria.
She further commended the NA for her role in keeping Nigeria and Nigerians safe, adding that, without the sacrifices of the officers and men of the NA, Nigerians wouldn’t have been sleeping with their eyes closed.
In his Response, the Director General, NARC Maj Gen GA Wahab (rtd) commended NEPAD for this wonderful and timely initiative. Looking at the draft concept note as presented by NEPAD, the DG made some observations and useful suggestions that would help to fast-track the process of collaboration between NARC and NEPAD in order to drive the security programme as conceived.
