By Matthew Denis
Former President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has called for reassessing strategies and more holistic approaches in tackling insecurity in the country.
He made the disclosure during his opening remarks as Chairman and Founder of Goodluck Jonathan Foundation at the high level roundtable on security agencies and Civic engagement in Nigeria held Abuja on Thursday.
The Former President said “Nigeria, our beloved country, is at a crossroads.The security landscape still faces severe threats ranging from insurgency and banditry to kidnapping, communal clashes, and cybercrimes. These challenges not only undermine the safety and well-being of our citizens but also threaten the very fabric of our national unity and economic progress.
“I will note that as a nation, we have made significant strides in combating some of the threats, but the evolving nature of insecurity demands that we continually reassess our strategies and adopt more holistic approaches.
“Security is not just the responsibility of government or security agencies; it is a collective responsibility that requires the active participation of all citizens and stakeholders. Today, we gather again as stakeholders, united by a common purpose: to explore ways of addressing these pressing security challenges facing our nation and to seek innovative ways of fostering civic engagement as a tool for sustainable peace and development.”
According to him Citizens often feel frustrated by delays in justice, heavy-handed security measures, and the challenge of accountability in governance. Security agencies, on the other hand, operate under immense pressure, expected to maintain law and order despite limited resources, institutional constraints, and the complexities of modern security threats. This situation has created a cycle of mutual suspicion.
‘Hence, this roundtable presents an opportunity to break the cycle of misunderstanding and clear misconceptions and build a better synergy and co-operation between security forces and the public.”
He acknowledged the key stakeholders for honouring our invitation while recognizing the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), the Department of Military Intelligence (DMI), the Department of State Service (DSS), the Nigeria Police, and all other security agencies present.
“Your willingness to engage in constructive dialogue demonstrates your commitment to ensuring a more secure and inclusive Nigeria.I also acknowledge the civil society organizations and development partners whose voices and contributions are essential in shaping policies that balance security, democratic governance and inclusive development.
“As a Foundation, this is not the first time we have come together to discuss security challenges and governance. In 2021, we convened a similar roundtable which focused on the security crisis in the North-West, at a time when there was a national debate over whether banditry should be classified as terrorism.That engagement, just like this, brought together security agencies, policymakers, and civic actors, leading to valuable discussions that shaped policy decisions,”he said.
Jonathan tasked government agencies to synergizes with the people as the fight against insecurity can’t be done lonely.
