Dialogue best solution to Nigeria’s security challenges – Experts

By Philip Clement

Experts in the security have reiterated the need for dialogue in all sectors of the country as it remains the only solution to the security challenges facing Nigeria.

The experts spoke in Abuja during an interactive session on the intersection between national security and the civic space in Nigeria.

They called for dialogue and peaceful coexistence in addressing the present security challenges.

The event which was organised by Whiteink Institute for Strategy Education and Research (WISER) in collaboration with civil society organisations, aimed at providing an avenue for dialogue and collaboration between security agencies and civil societies to ensure a balance between national security concerns and the protection of civil space.

Speaking as a guest speaker, a former Commandant, Nigerian Defence Academy, Maj Gen Idris said with communication and awareness there can be understanding between all the actors inolved, while stressing the need to make our democratic institutions working again, which will help in addressing some of the issues.

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“As long as we keep communicating with each other, we keep interacting with each other I believe that there will be an avenue for us to understand one another and with communication and awareness, we build a better understanding between us, otherwise the conflict will continue.”

On his part, the president and founder of WISER, Brig Gen Saleh Bala said the idea behind setting up the Institute was to provide a platform that will train both the state and non-state actors in the area of security sector governance.

“It has become very important especially in the critical era of global security challenges that institutions that have specific security governance responsibilities are atuned with the skills and all the knowledge that is required to be able to drive security governance,” he said.

At the interactive session, the need for CSOs to always advance the cause of justice and fairness was also discussed as well as how the synergy between then and government at all levels can boost national development and cohesion.