society
OpenLife Summit: Chief Of Naval Staff, Customs Comptroller General, Senator Odunsi, Prof Akhaine, Others Examine, Proffer Solutions To Nigeria’s Conflicting Issues
OpenLife Summit: Chief Of Naval Staff, Customs Comptroller General, Senator Odunsi, Prof Akhaine, Others Examine, Proffer Solutions To Nigeria’s Conflicting Issues
The importance of commitment to security values and the presence of patriotic social forces have been advanced as the panacea to Nigeria’s security situation at the maiden edition of the OpenLife Annual Summit held on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The summit, themed “Creating Enabling Environment for Economic Growth Through Strategic Tackling of Insecurity,” brought together stakeholders from various fields and sectors, such as politics, banking, academia and security organisations.
The gathering deliberated on the need for effective tackling of Nigeria’s insecurity to enhance economic growth in the country.
While delivering the welcome address, the publisher of OpenLife magazine and the convener of the OpenLife Summit, Idumonza Isidahomhen, gave a concise background to the summit and its goals of how to achieve a better Nigeria.
According to him: “The outcome of this summit will not be one of those summits that have been held in Nigeria that ended up in the trash cans. All the issues that will be discussed here today, including the recommendations, will be sent as a communique to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the Office of the Chief of Staff as well as the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu and the Co-Ordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, as input into executive policy formulation and implementations.”
He further stated: “To demonstrate our commitment to an improved Nigeria, we, at OpenLife, have developed a monitoring mechanism to keep tabs on government activities in ensuring that resolutions don’t end up in the trash cans.”
While expressing worries about widespread insecurity in the country, Idumonza said the development is a collective concern of citizens and government.
“OpenLife, by this summit, is demonstrating that either as an individual or institution, security and improving the economy should be the concerns of all,” he stressed.
In his opening remarks, the chairman of the occasion, Senator Akin Odunsi, avowed that “the summit is timely and appropriate in our national life,” given the severity of the security challenges bedevilling Nigeria in the past few years.
He said: “We cannot but continue to deliberate and search for effective ways that could lead us out of the quagmire. Our discussions and the recommendations resulting from the Open Life Summit will contribute to the solutions available to our government to scale the hurdles of the security challenge.”
Senator Akin Odunsi, who represented Ogun West Senatorial District in the 7th Senate of the National Assembly, said it was heartwarming to see participants and guests from the relevant sectors present at the event.
“That is a good pointer to the fact that we are not just here for some social celebration, but a dignified occasion to examine one of the serious issues affecting our country’s corporate existence and well-being,” he said.
The senator further expressed his expectation, saying: “I do hope the discourse will yield quality insights that will help our country manage and subdue the issue of insecurity. With that in mind, I am optimistic that the needed conducive environment to grow our economy and enhance all-inclusive prosperity will be achieved.”
Professor Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Political Science Department, Lagos State University, who delivered a lecture titled: “Insecurity and the National Economy,” concisely defined the Nigerian situation, showing the nexus between insecurity and the worsening economy.
In his words: “The insecurity in Nigeria directly affects the productive forces, hence, the comatose nature of the national economy and the consequent bogey of hunger staring everyone in the face. Food crop production has become impossible due to prevailing insecurity in the country. The unearned income from the sales of crude oil has been jeporpardized by oil theft, which has reduced the country’s foreign exchange earnings and inclined it towards perpetual borrowing.”
This situation, according to Professor Akhaine, has undermined the strength of the national currency against major foreign currencies.
“The manufacturing sector, which is largely import-dependent for essential components, is hard-hit. Many companies have had to fold up compounding a sub-element of the insecurity in the country, that is, job insecurity. The indicators are so glaring: the exchange rate of the naira to the dollar is N1, 589; external indebtedness is $42,115.54 billion as of March 31, 2024,” he articulated.
The immediate past Head of Political Science Department in LASU, however, avowed that the country has the potential to solve the insecurity problem.
“Nigeria has the natural resources and the demographic capital to solve the problems that confront it. Is it not intriguing that a country that could lead peace initiatives in sister West African countries in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and restore democratic governance structure, is struggling to maintain social order in what I have referred to as the endless present?”
He noted that the problem is rooted in the failure of leadership and the absence of a patriotic nation-building elite.
“A new social force that is patriotic, a commitment to the security values we have identified is required to pull the country through these trying times,” he concluded.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who was represented at the summit by Apapa Area Commander of NCS, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, spoke about the role of customs in the economic diversification agenda of the federal government.
Olomu disclosed the various initiatives implemented by Nigeria customs aimed at facilitating legitimate trade and suppressing smuggling.
“For economic growth, we have devised a working system that ensures quicker processing of imports and exports through world customs organisation programmes like time release study, TRS, advanced ruling, dispute resolution committee, 24-hour port operations, and authorised economic operator (AEO),” he said.
On the strategic tackling of insecurity, he disclosed that the Nigeria Customs Service has adopted modern technology to optimise its operations.
“As part of our modernisation agenda, we have adopted non-intrusive inspection. This is an x-ray used in customs operations to screen imported and exported goods without disrupting their integrity. This advanced technology detects hidden items in goods without the need to physically examine them,” he said.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogallah, represented by Rear Admiral Mustapha Balat Hassan, Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, stated that the OpenLife Summit provided the needed platform for crucial discussions on national security and economic growth.
Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Hassan stated: “It is only in a secure environment that socio-economic activities can thrive, thereby engendering economic growth for national development.”
While stating that terrorism, banditry, and communal clashes have adversely affected the nation’s socio-economic landscape, he also underscored the havoc wreaked by increasing maritime security challenges, including oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and piracy.
According to him, these issues are driven by poverty and the proliferation of small arms, which have stunted the growth of the oil and gas sector and thus limited government revenue.
He avowed that the Nigerian Navy is combating the problem with the implementation of a Total Spectrum Maritime Strategy that focuses on surveillance, response, and law enforcement.
He also detailed the Navy’s investment in state-of-the-art Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) facilities, which enable continuous monitoring of the maritime environment.
He dwelt on Operation Delta Sanity, one of the key initiatives launched in January 2024, aimed at eradicating crude oil theft and increasing daily crude oil output.
According to him, the operation has yielded significant results, with 35 ships involved in oil theft arrested and numerous illegal refining sites deactivated.
The success of the operation, according to him, has led to a steady increase in Nigeria’s crude oil production, rising from 1.24 million barrels per day to 1.65 million barrels per day by the end of July 2024.
He further disclosed that the Nigerian Navy is actively collaborating with local and international stakeholders to enhance maritime security.
He cited the navy’s recent participation in multinational exercises, such as Exercise Obangame Express and Operation Safe Domain 3, as evidence of commitment to regional cooperation in addressing maritime crimes.
Rear Admiral Hassan concluded with assurances that the Nigerian Navy, under Vice Admiral Ogalla’s leadership, is dedicated to maintaining safe and secure waters for legitimate economic activities that facilitate national development.
GEN CHRISTOPHER GWABIN MUSA SUPPORT INITIATIVE COMMENDS STATE-FEDERAL COLLABORATION IN ZAMFARA
The Gen Christopher Gwabin Musa Support Initiative (GCGMSI) has commended the Zamfara State Government for its decisive contribution to security operations through the donation of newly acquired armoured personnel carriers (APCs), surveillance drones, and other critical operational equipment to troops and security agencies in the state.
This commendation was contained in a statement signed by the Convener of the GCGMSI, Ibrahim Dahiru Danfulani, Sadaukin Garkuwan Keffi/Betara Biu, and made available to the press.
The equipment was formally commissioned on Wednesday, February 18, by the Grand Patron of the GCGMSI and Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, OFR (rtd.), in a ceremony at the Government House, Gusau. The event was attended by senior military officers, heads of security agencies, and top officials of the Zamfara State Government.
The GCGMSI, in its statement, hailed the donation as a “transformative and timely intervention” that aligns perfectly with its core objective of advocating for and supporting tangible measures that enhance the operational capacity and welfare of Nigeria’s security forces. The Initiative praised Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration for moving beyond rhetoric to actionable, material support, describing the move as a “blueprint for state-level collaboration in national security.”
“The provision of these assets by the Zamfara State Government is a testament to visionary leadership and a profound commitment to the peace and stability of its people,” the GCGMSI statement read. “It represents the exact kind of synergistic partnership between state and federal authorities that the GCGMSI champions. This initiative will significantly close operational gaps, boost the confidence of our gallant troops, and send a strong message to criminal elements.”
Speaking at the commissioning, General Musa emphasized that sustained collaboration is indispensable in confronting the nation’s evolving security challenges. He specifically commended Governor Lawal for his proactive support.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has demonstrated exemplary leadership and an unwavering dedication to the security of Zamfara State,” the Defence Minister stated. “The provision of these armoured vehicles, surveillance drones, and other operational equipment will undoubtedly boost the morale and operational effectiveness of our troops and other security agencies on the ground. This is a commendable effort that should be emulated by others.”
The newly commissioned assets, which include multiple APCs and advanced surveillance drones, are expected to dramatically enhance the mobility, protection, intelligence-gathering, and rapid response capabilities of security forces, particularly in the state’s remote and difficult terrains where anti-banditry operations are ongoing.
In his remarks, Governor Lawal reiterated his administration’s steadfast commitment to being a reliable partner in the security architecture. He urged security agencies to deploy the new resources responsibly and effectively to safeguard lives and property.
The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Defence, reaffirmed its commitment to continuing and deepening such partnerships with state governments across the nation to strengthen coordination and resource allocation in the collective fight against insecurity.
The GCGMSI concluded its statement by urging other state governments to take a cue from Zamfara’s “bold and pragmatic” approach, affirming that such concrete support is vital for achieving lasting peace and security across Nigeria.
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Governor Dauda Lawal Commissions 25 Armoured Personnel Carriers, Aerial Surveillance Drones to Combat Insecurity
Governor Dauda Lawal Commissions 25 Armoured Personnel Carriers, Aerial Surveillance Drones to Combat Insecurity
In a major boost to the fight against banditry and insecurity in Zamfara State and the North-West Zone, Zamfara State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Dauda Lawal, on Wednesday commissioned 25 new Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and sets of surveillance drones for the military and other security agencies operating in the state.
The event, which took place in Gusau, was part of the state government’s ongoing effort to provide structured logistical support to frontline security forces and combat insurgency, banditry, and protect lives and properties. Speaking at the commissioning and handover, Governor Lawal emphasised that the new assets are intended to enhance troop protection during high-risk deployments and improve rapid response capabilities in remote communities, ensuring tactical battle and overhead surveillance for victory.
“We have provided over 600 specialised motorcycles, 150 Hilux vehicles, and 20 Buffalo vehicles to our security forces. These 25 highly sophisticated APCs being commissioned today are therefore part of a broader reform to improve response to security threats. The APC’s significantly improves troop protection during deployments into high-risk areas. They reduce vulnerability during patrols, support convoy security along major routes, and strengthen rapid response capability when distress calls arise from remote communities.” the Governor stated.
Governor Lawal explained that the security challenges of recent years had disrupted farming, limited trade, and undermined public confidence across the state. He noted that his administration’s “Rescue Mission” agenda has focused on moving from fragmented responses to structured reforms, including the establishment of a Zamfara State Security Trust Fund and the operationalisation of Community Protection Guards to improve grassroots intelligence.
The Governor specifically highlighted the importance of integrating modern technology into security operations. He noted that the newly acquired drones would expand aerial surveillance, improve situational awareness, and support better coordination between command centres and troops in the field.
“Real-time information strengthens decision-making and reduces operational blind spots,” he added.
Governor Lawal however acknowledged the critical role of the Federal Government under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that recent federal budgets have allocated over three trillion naira to defence, a commitment he said strengthens subnational stabilisation efforts.
He urged the military commanders and personnel receiving the equipment to ensure disciplined maintenance and intelligence-guided deployment. “Enhancing your safety enhances the safety of our communities,” he told the troops.
Governor Lawal also told the people of Zamfara that; his administration remains resolute in restoring enduring security and peace across every Local Government Area. “We will sustain preventive measures, strengthen patrol architecture in rural corridors, deepen inter-state intelligence collaboration across the North-West, and maintain fiscal prudence in security expenditure. Stabilisation will continue through structured planning, lawful enforcement, and institutional reform.”
The Governor also linked the security investment to economic recovery, stressing that stability in rural areas is essential for agricultural productivity, market activity, and food security.
The event was attended by the Honourable Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), who formally commissioned the assets for operational service. Governor Lawal reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to sustain preventive measures and inter-state security collaboration until lasting peace is restored across all Local Government Areas in Zamfara.
Ramadan, Lent: Ajadi Urges Religious Harmony, Prayers for Nigeria
A leading governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has extended warm felicitations to Muslims and Christians on the simultaneous commencement of Ramadan and Lent.
Ramadan, the Islamic holy month marked by 30 days of fasting and spiritual devotion, and Lent, the 40-day Christian season of fasting and reflection, began on the same day — a development Ajadi described as symbolic and spiritually significant.
In a statement personally signed by him on Wednesday, Ajadi congratulated adherents of both faiths and called for sustained religious tolerance, unity, and peaceful coexistence across the state and the country at large.
He described the coincidence in the commencement dates as a reminder of shared values between Islam and Christianity.
“The simultaneous commencement of Ramadan and Lent is a divine reminder that we all worship the same Almighty God. It is a call for unity, love, and mutual understanding among us,” he stated.
Ajadi urged Muslims and Christians to use the sacred periods of fasting and spiritual purification to pray fervently for Nigeria, especially in view of the nation’s economic and security challenges.
“Our country is facing significant hardship. The economic difficulties and prevailing insecurity require sincere prayers. This season of spiritual purification offers us a unique opportunity to seek God’s intervention for our nation,” he said.
He further emphasized that both Islam and Christianity preach peace, tolerance, and respect for constituted authority, urging citizens to embody these teachings in their daily lives.
“Let us live peacefully, tolerate one another, and continue to pray for those in leadership. Our faiths teach us to respect and uphold our leaders in prayer,” Ajadi added.
The PDP chieftain concluded by wishing Muslims a spiritually fulfilling Ramadan and Christians a reflective and enriching Lenten season, encouraging both communities to embrace love, sacrifice, and harmonious living throughout the sacred periods.
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