Stakeholders call for review of security architecture 

Stakeholders have called for the review of the nation’s security architecture in view of the rising wave of insecurity in the country.They spoke at a public lecture organised by the Yoruba Tennis Club in Lagos, with the theme, “Current Security Challenges in the Country: The Way Out.”  

Speaking at the event, the guest lecturer, Major General (Rtd) Adewunmi Ajibade, former Deputy National Security Adviser and a fellow of the War College, who gave an insightful background to the current security challenges in the country called for an immediate review of the National Security Strategy to reflect the actual security situation in the country. He also called for the “strengthening of democratic institutions that will engender winning the hearts of Nigerians, so as to win peace, not the war”. He lamented the non-implementation of anti-terrorism laws and commended the current bold steps by the armed forces in halting armed banditry in some communities in Zamfara State by an overwhelming military firepower and surgical air strikes.

Chairman, Yoruba Tennis Club, Adetokunbo Fabamwo said one of the most debated issues in the Nigerian public space at the moment was the clamour for the strengthening of the security architecture of the country, as the current security situation in the country had now become a sing-song across the length and breadth of the nation.

Oba Adeyemi Abdulkabir Obalenlege, the Olota of Ota, Lanlenge Ekun II, Awori Kingdom, who was the Special Guest of Honour and Royal Father of the Day, underscored the need to change the narrative with the current security challenges in the country and appealed for engagement of the communities with the para-military personnel.

In his contribution, Otunba Deji Osibogun, Founder/Chairman of Space-FM and Convener of the Leadership and Peace Initiative, noted that religion was the first threat to security and that Nigerians should not allow a particular ethnic group to divide us and advocated for community vigilance in all neighborhoods.

Head of News, TVC, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, examined the current security challenges and noted with dismay the manner politicians get elected, believing they were not responsible to the electorate, while calling for the cultivation of a new breed of politicians, responsible to the people.Retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Tunji Alapini, decried the overwhelming unemployment situation in the country, which had made the youths vulnerable to crime and a major challenge to the current security situation.