The Minister of Defence, Major Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (Rtd), has assured the National Defence College of the Ministry’s necessary support in accomplishing all programmes geared towards enhancing national security and stability in Nigeria and the West African sub-region.
Speaking in Abuja, at the security seminar organized by the National Defence College, the Minister stated that the theme ‘Emerging security threats in West Africa: Implications for regional security and stability’ which is in line with the College mandate was timely.
Gen. Magashi who was the special guest of honour, remarked that security remains key to the growth and development of any nation, noting that “a combination of factors such as youth bulge and rising unemployment as well as upsurge in terrorism, has created security challenges which has undermined national and regional stability”.
“For us in Nigeria, security remains a major pillar of the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. This explains why issues of national security are accorded topmost priority, as it remains a major prerequisite for national development”, he added.
The Minister explained that threats from violence extremists groups, ethnic militias, organized criminal groups, armed secessionists groups and other violent non–state actors have made it imperative that security agencies develop a deliberate and coherent strategic approach to surmounting these challenges.
He further said that seminars of this nature have become necessary to interrogate the nature and dynamics of security threats in West Africa, focusing on emerging threats and the resurgence of military coups that have threatened the region’s relative stability.
In his remarks, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor expressed optimism that the security seminar would outline measures to counter the negative trends occasioned by political instability, violent extremism and other security breaches within Nigeria and the sub region.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant, National Defence College, Rear Admiral MM Bashir assured that the outcome of the deliberations would be transmitted to appropriate authorities for consideration to ensure stability in West African Sub- Region.
