By Abdullahi Yusuf
The Federal Government has commended the European Union(EU) and its Member States for their partnership and support to Nigeria in humanitarian interventions and governance reform.
The Government also lauded them for their stabilization programming, education, resilience building, and peace-building initiatives for the country.
The National Security Adviser(NSA),Malam Nuhu Ribado,made the commendation at a Seminar themed”A Whole-of-Society Approach and Conflict in Northern Nigeria” organized by the European Union(EU) in Partnership with the Bayero University,Kano(BUK) on Monday.
Represented by the Director of State Liaison, Office of the National Security Adviser,Lami Chinade,Ribado noted that nowadays instability increasingly transcends borders,adding that what ultimately distinguishes nations is the capacity of governments, institutions, communities, and partners to respond effectively, strategically, and collectively.
According to him, Northern Nigeria continues to face multidimensional and overlapping security pressures,pointing out that the seminar “represents far more than a symbolic gathering or academic exchange.”
“We meet at a time when the consequences of insecurity, violent extremism, and social fragmentation are increasingly interconnected across borders and societies. Yet, we also gather with a shared conviction that through collective resolve, inclusive partnerships, and sustained community engagement, these challenges can be confronted and overcome,” he said.
The NSA also stated that for many years, the Federal Government had committed enormous resources towards confronting the security threats facing the nation,”even as our brave and selfless armed forces continue to make immense sacrifices in defense of our nation.”
“However, experience, both in Nigeria and globally, has consistently demonstrated that military operations alone cannot sustainably resolve insecurity where the underlying drivers of violence remain intact.
“Our security assessments increasingly point to an important strategic reality, that while the state has deployed significant kinetic capacity, many of the conditions that facilitate recruitment into violent extremism remain insufficiently addressed.
“This reveals a gap that force alone cannot close. It is this realization that has informed an important evolution in Nigeria’s national security thinking. While kinetic operations remain indispensable, sustainable peace equally requires complementary, robust, non-kinetic approaches built around prevention, inclusion, dialogue, resilience, opportunity, trust-building, and social cohesion,”Ribado added.
In his remarks,Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State said violence and conflict had “cost northern Nigeria dearly, yet no single actor can square peace alone.”
Represented by the State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Musa Sulaiman Shanono, Governor Yusuf noted that peace requires traditional rulers, religious leaders, women, youth, academia, civil society, government, and development partners to work together in synergy.
He commended the European Union delegation for its timely intervention in the situation and also lauded the Bayero University,Kano(BUK) for providing the platform for the seminar.