Former Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen Yusuf Tukur Buratai has called for collective action from all stakeholders to tackle Nigeria’s growing security challenges. He said sustainable nation building is impossible without first addressing insecurity across the country.
Buratai spoke in Dutse after receiving an award from the Federal University Dutse during the 2nd International Conference on Nation Building in the 21st Century organised by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. He said the current situation requires close cooperation between government institutions security agencies and citizens.
He urged Nigerians to continue supporting the military and other security formations. According to him nation building has many components but the people remain central and their education healthcare and general welfare must be prioritised alongside security.
Buratai stressed that no single institution can resolve the country’s security problems alone. He said insecurity demands a unified response from all segments of society and that conferences such as the one in Dutse help strengthen national consciousness about integrating security into wider development efforts.
He noted that for any nation to develop all key elements must be considered with security at the centre. He expressed hope that the conference would produce strong recommendations to guide government and stakeholders on the way forward.
On improving security he described it as a continuous responsibility that requires sustained government commitment. He said government must keep supporting the military with adequate equipment training and welfare and that security cannot be treated as a one off effort.
Buratai also highlighted the importance of intelligence gathering and effective policing as pillars of a strong national security framework. He said that with sustained collaboration and proper policy implementation Nigeria can overcome its security challenges and achieve meaningful nation building.
He commended the organisers of the conference describing it as timely and important. He added that nation building cuts across critical sectors especially education healthcare and citizens’ welfare which must all work together with security to build a stable country.
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