NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
Hunger, poverty fuelling national security threats – CDS

Hunger, poverty fuelling national security threats – CDS

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, says hunger and poverty are no longer mere social challenges but have become national security threats.

Musa stated this at the opening of the 14th National Security Seminar organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College (AANDEC), on Monday in Abuja.

The seminar with the theme: “Combating Hunger and Poverty for Sustainable Peace and Development in Nigeria,” was organised in collaboration with Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and National Defence College (NDC).

The CDS, represented by the Chief of Defence Training, Rear Adm, Ibrahim Shetimma, called for a unified national approach to combating hunger and poverty, stressing their growing impact on Nigeria’s internal security.

He commended the organisers for creating a strategic platform for critical dialogue on Nigeria’s security and developmental challenges.

“Insecurity today is not only defined by weapons but also by economic deprivation, food insecurity, and social dislocation.

“Hunger and poverty are no longer mere social challenges – they have become national security threats.

“The North Central region, particularly Benue once considered Nigeria’s food basket, is a clear example of how banditry, displacement, and farmer-herder conflicts have devastated agricultural productivity,’’ he said.

Musa noted that the disruption of farming communities and illegal occupation of farmlands contributed to food inflation, displacement, and mass migration, thereby destabilising both the economy and national cohesion.

He called on communities to deny criminals and terrorists sanctuary by supporting intelligence gathering, timely reporting and community vigilance.

The CDS called for urgent investment in grassroots agricultural development, and urged government and stakeholders to reposition farming as a noble and rewarding profession by enhancing access to credit, infrastructure, and market linkages.

“With the migration of rural youth to urban centres, agricultural productivity is declining.

“We must make farming attractive again—not as a last resort, but as a national duty and a prestigious calling,’’ he added.

Musa also praised President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly its emphasis on financial autonomy for local governments, which he described as vital for responsive and community-driven development.

“I assure you, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, in collaboration with other security agencies and with the support of the people, remain resolute in overcoming all security threats.

“We must build a Nigeria where every citizen can live in peace, engage in productive livelihood, and enjoy the dividends of democracy,” he said.

In his remarks, President of AANDEC, Retired Air Commodore Darlington Abdullahi, underscored the need for sustained investment in education, economic empowerment and social inclusion as critical non-kinetic responses to Nigeria’s deepening insecurity.

Abdullahi said that hunger and poverty were not just humanitarian crises but strategic threats to national stability.

He quoted the timeless wisdom that says “the children of the poor you fail to train will never let your children have peace,” stressing that neglecting the socio-economic wellbeing of the population creates fertile ground for instability and extremism.

“When millions suffer from hunger and poverty, they become vulnerable to exploitation by those with ill intentions.

“We must therefore invest in our people— especially in education, livelihoods, and skills development.

“Economic initiatives that foster inclusion and bring communities together can be effective tools for peacebuilding. They create an atmosphere of stability and discourage violence,” he said.

The AANDEC president praised the members of the association – retired military officers and senior public servants as patriots committed to safeguarding Nigeria’s peace and unity beyond the battlefield.

He advocated for the creation of a dedicated vocational and leadership development centre for widows and children of fallen heroes, describing it as a necessary step in empowering vulnerable populations and promoting national healing. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Augusta Uchediunor / Isaac Ukpoju

COAS tasks media on prioritising national security

COAS tasks media on prioritising national security

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

The Nigerian Army says the media has a responsibility to provide timely and useful information to the public while ensuring that such information does not compromise national security.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, said this on Tuesday in Abuja, at the opening of 2-day training for Media Operatives in Nigeria.

The training was organised by the Army Headquarters Department of Civil-Military Affairs.

Oluyede represented by the Director-General, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre, Maj.-Gen. Gbemiga Adesina, noted that the Nigerian Army was taking a proactive approach in its collaboration with the media.

He said this was with a view to building trust and cooperation in the pursuit of national security.

He noted that the Nigerian army had strived to strike a strategic balance between protecting law-abiding citizens, national security, and the media’s right to disseminate information.

He explained that the training highlighted the significance of collaboration between the military and the media in addressing security challenges.

According to him, as security situations evolve, public institutions like the media must also adapt to meet the challenges of our time.

”This training is timely, especially with the Nigerian Army deployed in various theatres of operation.

”Its objective is to facilitate a conducive working relationship between the military and the media.

”I believe it is essential for security agencies and the media to engage in forums like this, as both parties work towards the same purpose; a secure Nigeria where every individual is important.

”I am encouraged by the array of speakers lined up for this event and I am confident that we will all be better equipped to advance national security.”

In his remarks, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs (CCMA), Maj.-Gen. Gold Chibuisi, said that addressing the evolving national security challenges required a whole-of-society approach.

Chibuisi said that building a mutual understanding rooted in trust, accuracy, and balanced reporting between the military and media was crucial.

He revealed that the training was part of the Nigerian army’s commitment to enhancing civil-military relations and fostering an informed, professional, and secure information environment.

According to him, this strategic collaboration aims to expose media professionals to the Army’s doctrines, operations, and communication strategies.

”Accurate and constructive reporting can galvanize national support, enhance accountability, and contribute positively to collective security.

”A well-informed media is a strategic partner in our fight against security threats.

”This initiative bridges the knowledge gap between security forces and media practitioners, promoting responsible reporting that supports national security interests.”

The CCMA urged the participants to engage actively, ask questions, and seek clarity on complex issues.

He expressed appreciation to the COAS for his strategic direction and support, expressing optimism that the engagement would strengthen the rapport between the army and the media.

In his goodwill message, the Editor-In-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Mufutau Ojo, commended the Nigerian army for organising the training.

Ojo said that the training underscored the need for deeper collaboration between the Nigerian media and the military, especially at a time when the nation was being assailed by multi-dimensional security challenges.

”This initiative we are witnessing today will certainly foster understanding and effective communication between the Nigerian military and the media; ultimately enhancing national security and public awareness,” he said.

Similarly, the Director News, Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Hajiya Halima Musa, stressed the need to understand how to consolidate the responsibilities of the military and media

Musa said that while the media was tasked by law to preserve national integrity and national peace, the armed forces were in charge of maintaining or preserving the territorial integrity of Nigeria, as well as national peace and integrity.

She called for access to timely and accurate information, adding that lack of accurate information gives room for speculation.

”We are not in the business of speculation, but it is always better if the information is granted to the media so that they can report it accurately to the satisfaction of everybody towards achieving national peace,” she said. (NAN)

Edited by Deborah Coker

Tinubu directs security overhaul to end violence 

Tinubu directs security overhaul to end violence 

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By Salif Atojoko

 

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday directed an immediate overhaul of national security strategies, demanding urgent action to end the escalating violence in Borno, Benue, Plateau and Kwara.

 

The President who met with security chiefs at the State House, Abuja, for more than two hours, said the killing of innocent people in Borno, Benue and Plateau must cease.

 

“Enough is enough,” President Tinubu declared as he once again condemned the senseless targeting of innocent Nigerians, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement.

 

Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the National Security Adviser (NSA), told State House correspondents that the service chiefs briefed the President on all the attacks in the states, the death toll, and the destruction of property.

 

The NSA said President Tinubu ordered a new approach to tackling the security challenges.

 

Ribadu noted that the President also actively monitored and gave instructions during his work visit to Paris and London.

 

“Mr President gave us the chance to come and brief him again. It lasted very long. We gave him an update on what was going on.

 

“Even when he was out there, he was constantly in touch, giving directives and following developments.

 

“Today, we had the opportunity to come and brief him again, and it lasted hours. It was a very detailed briefing, and it was exhaustive,” said Ribadu.

 

He said the security chiefs listened to Tinubu and took instructions from him.

 

“The fact is that Mr President is insisting that we work harder to restore security in the country.

 

“We gave him information on what has been happening and assured him of our commitment. We had carried out his instructions.

 

“We went to places with incidences of insecurity, such as Plateau, Benue, and Borno States.

 

“We went to those particular three states. We gave him feedback because he had directed us earlier to go and meet with the political authorities there,” he stated.

 

The NSA said the President highlighted the need to involve the local councils and state governments more in tackling cases of insecurity.

 

“The President directed that we work more with governors. He was very worried and concerned at the meeting. He said, ‘Enough is enough!” said Ribadu.

 

He said the attackers usually targeted innocent citizens by planting Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and targeting ungoverned areas. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Tayo Ikujuni

 

 

NIPSS boss calls for data harmonisation, utilisation to address national challenges

NIPSS boss calls for data harmonisation, utilisation to address national challenges

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By Sumaila Ogbaje

Prof. Ayo Omotayo, Director-General, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), has called for harmonisation of data for all agencies of government to utilise in addressing national security and developmental challenges.

Omotayo made the call at the opening of the Leadership Course in Data Mining and Geospatial Intelligence, organised by the institute in collaboration with Peace Building Development Consult (PBDC), on Monday Abuja.

The course was being hosted by the Defence Space Administration (DSA).

He lamented that there were different organisations holding large and fertile sets of data that were not connected with any other organisation making it difficult to readily have access to needed data at a given time.

According to him, we find ourselves looking for data that already some people have gathered and that they surely have, that they can easily use.

Omotayo said the course was designed to build an ecosystem of data miners to conserve resources, and be able to interrogate things.

“Our research efforts have shown that a whole lot of data in Nigeria is sitting in isolation. That is, we have data centers that are lonely and have important data on Nigerian citizens on the space and the rest of it.

“So we decided to run this course because we feel that there is a need for synergy amongst the agencies that gather data.

“If you have data sitting at different critical spaces in Nigeria, there should be a need for us to link this data together for the security of the nation.

“Your NIN number should follow you anywhere you go so that whatever you do in the Nigerian space, we can find you at that point, wherever you interact on any space, economic or social.

“We believe that for those who engage in nefarious activities, it will be easy to find them,” he said.

The NIPSS boss said the course was also designed to develop leadership skills in bringing together those who run data centres and those who took critical decisions concerning Nigerian citizens, growing the economy in the business world and everywhere.

He said the institute was partnering with the Defence Space Administration as a critical data centre for Nigeria.

On his part, Mr Kayode Bolaji, Executive Director of PBDC, said the course helps participants to understand their strengths and weaknesses with a view to combining strengths to be able to provide security for the nation.

Bolaji said that data was not just about security and intelligence gathering but also about geo-locating where resources were and knowing which agency or industry to connect with, to be able to assess a particular resource.

He said the current course, being the second in the series, had participants for the private sector, as well from security, intelligence and other government agencies.

He said the course would take advantage of the DSA’s facilities to conduct study tours of all its units to broaden the knowledge of the participants.

“We also expect that they will find a way to connect with security agencies to be able to use some of the data that they have to help in security management.

“That is not something that is common in Nigeria,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Yakubu Uba

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