The National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC), Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) Major General Adamu Garba Laka has called for concerted efforts of all stakeholders and partners to address the current and emerging security threats so as to enhance national development, not only in Nigeria but also in the ECOWAS region as a whole.
General Laka made the call at an event titled” Road to Schuman Forum on Security and Defence” organized by the NCTC in collaboration with the European Union (EU), on Wednesday, in Abuja.
The National Coordinator who said that the event was aimed at enhancing effective partnership in the changing security dynamics of the world, added that the crucial situation of the country in the multi-faceted security situation in formed the deployment of whole-of-government and whole-of society approaches towards enhancing national responses to emerging security threats in the country.
He thanked the EU for its commitment to ensuring the maintenance of peace and security in Nigeria and the ECOWAS region.
In his remarks, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana decried the recent military coups in some West African countries, particularly in Niger which is currently under a military junta, and called for the support of all to address the situation.
He noted that Nigeria had no better or bigger neighbour than Niger, and as such there was need for the forum to discuss how to put an end to coup in Africa.
According to him, Nigeria would continue to work with the EU and the Schuman Forum to end insecurity in West Africa, particularly those nations that are under the military junta, while also calling for good governance and job creation for the youth in Africa. “This forum is an avenue to find out the causes of coup in Africa and proffer possible solutions,” he added.
Also, leader of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, Her Excellency, Amb. Samuela Isopi said the meeting was to aggregate views and assessment on the main peace, security and defence challenges threatening Nigeria as a nation and its regional environment.
Ambassador Isopi stressed that in view of the evolving global security landscape, the meeting would discuss how to nourish and shape a tailored security and defence partnership between Nigeria and the EU. ‘No one can afford to work in isolation,’ she said.
The meeting was a prelude to the Schuman Security and Defence Forum coming up on 28 and 29 May, 2024 in Brussels, Belgium where Nigeria is expected to participate alongside 27 EU member States, 60 partner countries and international organisations.