By Bridget Ikyado
Abuja – The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu has recommended multi- disciplinary approach to address the lingering insecurity in the country.
Kalu, made the recommendation at a round table discussion of stakeholders on ‘’Conflict-Sensitive Strategies to Address Insecurity’’ organised by Vision Africa in Abuja.
The Deputy Speaker said Nigeria needed to take a comprehensive approach to addressing these security challenges.
“This means using a variety of tools, including law enforcement, military action, key non-kinetic measures, and conflict-sensitive development programming.
“Laws and legislation can play an important role in improving peace and addressing insecurity. For example, we have strengthened our laws against terrorism and banditry in recent times.
“We also need to pass more laws, resolutions and motions that promote social justice and economic opportunity, which can help to reduce the root causes of conflict.
“We must also find ways to manage our diversity in a way that makes it a source of strength rather than a vehicle for conflict. Nigeria is a multi-ethnic, multi-religious, and multi-cultural country.
“This diversity is our strength, but it can also be a source of conflict. We need to find ways to manage our diversity and to use it to build a stronger and more united country,” he said.
The lawmaker said that government must be committed to implementing the laws and legislations passed by the parliament.
Kalu, said that government must also work to build trust in the people, so that they are more likely to support the efforts to address insecurity.
According to him, we need to invest in conflict-sensitive development programming which can help to address the root causes of conflict and build peace.
In his remarks, Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Christopher Musa said there was need to review legislations to improve peace and security in the country.
Represented by the Director, Civil Military Relations, Air Vice Marshal Anthony Idache, Musa said that the contemporary security challenges needed more stringent laws to deter violators.
He said there is need for Border Security Act to support the Nigeria Customs Service Act, a Radicalisation Act to criminalise radicalisation and special courts for terrorism related cases for speedy judgment
Musa, said there is need for Negotiation Act to prohibit all forms of negotiation with terrorist in whatever form or medium or speaking on their behalf.
Also speaking, Sheikh Abubakar Gumi said there was need for every single Nigerian and institution to re-evaluate their lifestyle in line with moral principles.
He said that there was need for every Nigerian to be given a sense of belonging and given access to education, healthcare and other social amenities.
Gumi stated that corruption especially misappropriation and embezzlement of funds meant for all is the root cause of insecurity.
Gumi said most bandits are forced into the crime for survival as they cannot afford basic necessities of life.
The cleric said that there was need to overhaul the security architecture of the country, saying that about nine trillion has been spent on security since 2015, yet no security.
Earlier, the President of Vision Africa Bishop Sunday Onuoha who facilitated the round table said that the initiative was developed in collaboration with the KAICIID Dialogue Centre.
The bishop said that there was need to address the complexities and enhance collective peace via an assessment of laws and relevant legislations that can be improved upon or implemented.
”I will however, urge us all to concentrate on exceptional issues that are integral and common to us all, but especially to our young demographic; because the core essence of this is to give the younger generation hope, because whatever we do as leaders will rub-off on them.
“We have a young generation that is quickly losing hope in its leadership, and the concern is that if we don’t address these lingering issues now, no military might can manage the revolts of their collective frustrations.
“I am assured that our deliberations will be robust, and that your recommendations will embody the greater aspirations of the communities we represent, as we contribute our quota to posterity,” he said. (NAN/vitalnewsngr.com)
