The Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi, says the federal government has initiated various measures to end insecurity in Nigeria.
Major General Magashi said the ongoing security challenges confronting the country at the moment was caused by some selfish Nigerians that do not want others to grow.
The Minister disclosed this at a one-day security summit, organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Anambra State.
In his paper titled, “The Nigerian National Question: Implications for National Unity”, Major General Magashi who spoke through his Special Adviser, Technical, Mr Almed Jibrin, regretted that while some of the Nigerian elite pursue their people’s demands for equitable distribution of democracy dividends through peaceful means, others are pursuing it through violence, which according to him, threatens the safety, development and progress of the nation, and called on those instigating violence in the country to desist forthwith.
For the lead paper presenter at the event, Professor Aja Akpuru- Aja, there should be fairness, equity and justice in Nigeria in order to enthrone a peaceful nation, as he noted that what breed violence and lawlessness in today’s Nigerian nation are inequitable distribution of democracy dividends, injustice, marginalisation, among other inhuman treatment of a certain section of the country by the Nigerian leadership.
In a remark, the Vice Chancellor of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics, Professor Frederick Odibo, commended the Faculty of Social Sciences for organising such a unique event which he believed will go a long way in tackling insecurity in Nigeria and reassured the commitment of the University management towards ensuring quality learning in the institution.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Uche Nwogwugwu, harped on the need for critical stakeholders in Nigeria to, as a matter of urgency, tackle the insecurity in the country by amicably addressing issues that encourage the challenges.
The event which has its theme as, “Security and the National Question “, attracted top officers of security agencies in Nigeria, including the Army, Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Department of State Services, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, among others.