(ABUJA)
It was a summit like no other yesterday at the International Conference Centre, Abuja as The Sun Newspapers’ national security summit in liaison with the Nigeria Police held in grand style.
By 8am, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies had cordoned off all linking roads and streets to the venue of the event on Herbert Macaulay Way close to the Radio House, Central Area.
As the event became a gathering of all policy makers, leaders and experts in the nation, the former governor of Abia State and Publisher of The Sun Newspapers, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, expressed optimism that with such summits Nigeria will soon overcome its insecurity problems.
Security screened attendees and vehicles and, although there were some brief periods of frenzy, they still ensured that activities did not grind to a halt.
The conference is the first major national convention on the nation’s security since the heightened insecurity and terrorism in some parts of the country. In the light of this, activities started quite early and the hall was already filled at about 8.30 am.
The nearby streets were constantly patrolled by mounted police as well as police dogs, supported by police choppers.
In his address Kalu challenged and tasked Nigerians and the country’s leadership to dedicate themselves to the security of the nation.
The publisher thanked The Sun Publishing for acting responsibly in bringing to attention the importance of national security.
He stated in his speech that: “The theme of this Summit: ‘Community Partnership Approach To Internal Security And Crime Management’ is apt. It is very timely and pertinent, considering the fact that if all the participants present here today understand their roles and commit to the resolutions reached it could be the lasting solution we have long sought for to one of the most urgent problems we are faced with as a country – insecurity.
“For the subject of insecurity and crime to be efficiently managed, it would require a concerted effort by all stakeholders.
“Recent research reveals that after corruption, the increasing rate of insecurity is the major factor that has impeded the influx of foreign direct investments (FDIs). Studies over time have shown that not even the allures of the benefits the average foreign investor stand to gain by investing in certain areas of the country can make them dare to visit, let alone move their base to this region.”
He finally challenged Nigerians that only a “participatory approach to policing of the Nigerian society will ensure ownership of the reform of the stakeholders, which in turn will make the programme sustainable.”
(Ikenna Emewu, DAILY SUN)