EU ambassador says global partnership crucial to tackling terror

By Maureen Okon

Ms. Samuela Isopi, the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Nigeria and the ECOWAS on Wednesday, identified global partnership as an ingredient for successful peace-building and the fight against terrorism.

The envoy expressed the thoughts in Abuja, at the Road to Schuman Security and Defence Forum 2024, organised by the EU, in collaboration with the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC) and the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The event had the theme, “Reducing Vulnerabilities Through Partnerships- a Stakeholders’ Engagement’’ on regional defence and security perspectives.

Isopi said, “We live in a single security theatre, where crises and conflicts travel at the speed of light and what emerges locally becomes global with far-reaching effects.”

She quoted Josep Borrell, the European Union High Representative Vice President (HRVP) as saying at one time that “No country or institution, acting alone, can address challenges such as the weakening of multilateralism.

“The return of power in politics across the world, the renewed assertiveness of authoritarian regimes, and the mix of conventional and hybrid threats that we are facing ”

The envoy added that ‘’ this is why the EU has launched the Schuman forum and invited under the leadership of the EU HRVP, Josep Borrell and the 27 member states, and over 60 partner countries and international organisations in Brussels from May 28 to May 29.

“The Schuman forum will have three objectives which are to listen to our partners on peace, security, and defence issues.

“To jointly assess the threats and challenges we face, and to explore ways for deeper cooperation,’’ she said.

According to her, the EU is Africa’s leading partner in peace and security.

Speaking at the event, Nigeria’s National Security Adviser, Mr Nuhu Ribadu, said the forum was organised to engender effective partnership in the changing security dynamics.

Ribadu who was represented by Maj.-Gen. Adamu Laka, National Coordinator for NCT, said “the event is noting the crucial situation of our country, Nigeria, with the multi-faceted security challenges confronting it.

“ Therefore, the employment of whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches toward enhancing national responses to these emergent security threats in the country.

“This becomes a critical objective which we must pursue to enhance national development, not only in the country but the ECOWAS sub-region as a whole.

“The scourge of terrorism is a menace which affects Nigeria and other countries around the globe,’’ he said.

Speaking also at the same event, the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, represented by Dr Ibrahim Kanami, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, described terrorism as a global challenge to national security.

He added that the collaboration with the EU and Nigeria would surmount the security threats such as Boko Haram and its likes in the near future.

Badaru also said that the world is a global village and this is a time for the world to come together to address the scourge.

“But now, Nigeria is faced with these security challenges with different issues surrounding the causes of the rising challenges. But our dream and desire is for Africa to be a united force as the EU bloc,’’ he said.

He emphasised that job creation can create lasting peace and is key to curbing most of the security challenges faced in Africa. (NAN) (www.nan.ng)

(Edited by Chioma Ugboma/Emmanuel Yashim)