security
The army is evaluating strategies to address intricate security challenges
Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, says that the Nigerian Army will continue to review its strategies and operations, to tackle Nigeria’s complex security challenges.
Lagbaja, who spoke at the opening of the Nigerian Army Day 2024 Lecture on Wednesday in Jos, said that the army would also keep reviewing its order of battles, tactics, techniques, and procedures.
The COAS stated that a consistent review was imperative because of the multidimensional and ever-changing nature of the country’s intractable contemporary security environment.
He said that those who had been deeply involved in counter terrorism and counterinsurgency efforts since 2013, will appreciate how complex and adaptive Nigeria’s contemporary security challenges had been.
Lagbaja said the Nigerian Army’s strategies, training concepts, and order of battle, were altered in line with reality, when the force was caught in the euphoria of the unexpected twist in the Bakassi Peninsula.
The COAS said that the high demand for its participation in peace support operations across Nigeria and Africa increased the pressure on the force.
“Then came Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province with their insurgency and terrorism, followed closely by the spike in banditry, kidnapping for ransom, secessionist agitation, and other issues we now battle across the country.
“I’ve always used the VUCA, an acronym introduced by the United States Army War College, which stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity, to describe Nigeria’s contemporary security environment.
“We have done the reviews to the best of our ability for about two decades, and the results are out there for everyone to judge.
“They should judge based on their point of view and level of understanding or appreciation of the gamut of issues we face as a country vis-à-vis what goes on in our external environment.
“I believe those who crafted the lecture topic “Combating Complex Conflicts in Nigeria: Challenges and Strategies”, as selected veterans of our contemporary security challenges and efforts, meant business and want us to have a frank and productive experience,” he said.
The COAS stated that the lecture would be a worthwhile experience for participants and, most importantly, the Nigerian Army.
He thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, for his continuous strategic guidance and invaluable support to the Nigerian Army.
Lagbaja appreciated the former Chief of Defense Staff, Lt.-Gen. Leo Irabor (Rtd), for accepting to be the special guest honour at the event.
A building collapse in the Oyingbo area of Lagos on Thursday claimed the life of an 80-year-old-woman and displaced seven families.
The Territorial Coordinator, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Newsmen had reported that a storey building, located at 34 Olowo Street by Borno Way, off Freeman Street, Oyingbo, Lagos State, partially collapsed on Thursday.
A building collapse in the Oyingbo area of Lagos on Thursday claimed the life of an 80-year-old-woman and displaced seven families.
The Territorial Coordinator, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the development to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Newsmen had reported that a storey building, located at 34 Olowo Street by Borno Way, off Freeman Street, Oyingbo, Lagos State, partially collapsed on Thursday.
The Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu, has advocated for more women participation in peace, security and conflict management.
This could be promoted through gender responsive security operations, Olotu said on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of a 3-day Gender Sensitization Workshop for senior military and security service officers.
The workshop has the theme, “Enhancing Gender Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue Project in Nigeria”.
The workshop was organised by the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies of the college, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and UN Women.
The commandant said that such move would be in line with the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, which mandates member states to foster inclusive and gender response security environment.
He said the workshop was another opportunity to mainstream the resolution in realising gender equality, protection of women and girls in conflict and their active involvement in conflict prevention, resolution and peace building.
According to him, the event formally marks the commencement of phase two of the UN Women Project for Nigeria Security Organisations.
“In spite some of the successes achieved, we must acknowledge that much remains to be done, and so we anticipate that this workshop will serve as a catalyst for change.
“As we delve into the intricacies of gender responsive security operations and community dialogue, let us keep in mind broader impact and effect on the armed forces and the nation at large.
“Our commitment to this cause is a testament of our dedication to upholding the principles of justice, human rights and sustainable peace.
“I therefore express my profound gratitude or participants, facilitators, the UN Women for their immense support and also pray that this workshop will be a source of inspiration, enlightenment and empowerment, propelling us towards the most secure and gender inclusive Nigeria,” he said.
The representative of the UN Women, Mr Peter Mancha, said the UNSCR1325 marked its 24th anniversary in October.
He said member countries were expected to develop a National Action Plan for women, peace and security to bridge existing gaps.
Mancha said it was discovered globally that there was a huge gender gap when it comes to women participation and representation in peace building and conflict prevention.
According to him, while women are excluded in the peace building processes, they are the majority that bear the brunt of conflicts.
“If you go to some of the IDP camps in Nigeria, you discover that significant population are either women or children.
“Because of patriarchal nature of our society and discriminatory nature of our society, we exclude women with the feeling that anything that has to do with peace and security should be limited to only men.
“So the UN Security Council resolution is saying we are underutilising the huge potentials that women have to contribute to peace and security, and they are saying for us globally now to achieve sustainable peace and security, women must be involved because they have value to add.
“There are conflicts that men could not resolve here in Nigeria, that the women were successfully able to resolve,” he said.
Mancha said the setting up of Mix Observers Group by the UN in the North East comprising female police and civil defence officers and female community leaders helped to address the issue of unreported cases of rape.
He said the UN Women would continue to support the Nigerian armed forces and other security agencies in the effort to mainstream gender in the nation’s security management.
The Director General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, who was represented by Dr Adewale Aderemi, said it was expected that the resolution of the workshop would translate into some form of legislation.
He said the institute intended to escalate the conversation to the national parliament and find ways to ensure that the nation’s gender policies were more intense.
He added that a lot had been done with regards to plugging the gender gap in security operations through multi stakeholder interventions and dialogue.
Defence College advocates gender responsive peace, security operations
The Commandant, National Defence College (NDC), Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu, has advocated for more women participation in peace, security and conflict management.
This could be promoted through gender responsive security operations, Olotu said on Wednesday in Abuja at the opening of a 3-day Gender Sensitization Workshop for senior military and security service officers.
The workshop has the theme, “Enhancing Gender Responsive Security Operations and Community Dialogue Project in Nigeria”.
The workshop was organised by the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies of the college, the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) and UN Women.
The commandant said that such move would be in line with the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325, which mandates member states to foster inclusive and gender response security environment.
He said the workshop was another opportunity to mainstream the resolution in realising gender equality, protection of women and girls in conflict and their active involvement in conflict prevention, resolution and peace building.
According to him, the event formally marks the commencement of phase two of the UN Women Project for Nigeria Security Organisations.
“In spite some of the successes achieved, we must acknowledge that much remains to be done, and so we anticipate that this workshop will serve as a catalyst for change.
“As we delve into the intricacies of gender responsive security operations and community dialogue, let us keep in mind broader impact and effect on the armed forces and the nation at large.
“Our commitment to this cause is a testament of our dedication to upholding the principles of justice, human rights and sustainable peace.
“I therefore express my profound gratitude or participants, facilitators, the UN Women for their immense support and also pray that this workshop will be a source of inspiration, enlightenment and empowerment, propelling us towards the most secure and gender inclusive Nigeria,” he said.
The representative of the UN Women, Mr Peter Mancha, said the UNSCR1325 marked its 24th anniversary in October.
He said member countries were expected to develop a National Action Plan for women, peace and security to bridge existing gaps.
Mancha said it was discovered globally that there was a huge gender gap when it comes to women participation and representation in peace building and conflict prevention.
According to him, while women are excluded in the peace building processes, they are the majority that bear the brunt of conflicts.
“If you go to some of the IDP camps in Nigeria, you discover that significant population are either women or children.
“Because of patriarchal nature of our society and discriminatory nature of our society, we exclude women with the feeling that anything that has to do with peace and security should be limited to only men.
“So the UN Security Council resolution is saying we are underutilising the huge potentials that women have to contribute to peace and security, and they are saying for us globally now to achieve sustainable peace and security, women must be involved because they have value to add.
“There are conflicts that men could not resolve here in Nigeria, that the women were successfully able to resolve,” he said.
Mancha said the setting up of Mix Observers Group by the UN in the North East comprising female police and civil defence officers and female community leaders helped to address the issue of unreported cases of rape.
He said the UN Women would continue to support the Nigerian armed forces and other security agencies in the effort to mainstream gender in the nation’s security management.
The Director General of NILDS, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman, who was represented by Dr Adewale Aderemi, said it was expected that the resolution of the workshop would translate into some form of legislation.
He said the institute intended to escalate the conversation to the national parliament and find ways to ensure that the nation’s gender policies were more intense.
He added that a lot had been done with regards to plugging the gender gap in security operations through multi stakeholder interventions and dialogue.
NSA urges NLC to call off strike, condemns attack on labour leader
The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Wednesday urged the NLC and Trade Unions Congress (TUC) to call off their two-day-old strike.
In a statement issued in Abuja by Mr Zakari Mijinyawa, Head, Strategic Communication, Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Ribadu also condemned the attack on NLC president, Mr Joe Ajaero in Owerri on Nov. 1.
He said ONSA was concerned about the strike and was worried about its implications on the livelihoods of Nigerians and its potential impact on economic, security and other strategic national interests.
Ribadu noted that he immediately intervened on learning about Ajaero’s travails in Owerri as attested to by NLC leadership.
“ONSA regrets the incident and condemns it entirely as it is against the rule of law and the principles of freedom of association and expression subscribed to by President Bola Tinubu and his administration.
“The Federal Government will never condone such act.
“A fallout of the incident was the directive given to relevant authorities to conduct thorough investigation and to bring culprits to book.
“Available update indicates that some arrests have been made in this regard and the outcome of the investigation will be made public as soon as it is concluded.
“The Federal Government, through ONSA, therefore appeals to labour leadership to call off the strike and allow dialogue already in progress be exhausted,’’ Ribadu said in the statement.The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, on Wednesday urged the NLC and Trade Unions Congress (TUC) to call off their two-day-old strike.
Yusuf has achieved alot in Kano – NNPP Chairman
Osun: Ooni lauds Oyetola for repaying close to N100 billion inherited debts as Governor
