Alumni Association of the National Institute (AANI) has called for increased collaboration among institutions to combat organised crime across the African continent.
The national president of AANI, Ambassador Emmanuel Obi Okafor, made the appeal at the opening ceremony of a two-day international symposium on countering organised crime in Africa, held at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja.
In a statement by the national publicity secretary of AANI, Brig Gen Sani Usman (Rtd), Okafor highlighted the timeliness and importance of the symposium’s theme, emphasising its relevance to the survival and prosperity of Africa.
He underscored the urgent need to address the challenges posed by organised crime, citing issues within Nigeria and throughout Africa.
Okafor said these challenges are often exacerbated by weak institutions, a lack of collaboration, poor planning, inadequate management, insufficient accountability, and inadequate involvement of stakeholders, which subsequently lead to stunted economic growth, poverty, unemployment, and insecurity.
Okafor therefore stressed the need for a robust agenda aimed at establishing strong and resilient institutions and enhanced collaboration that can effectively counter organised crime, provide remedies for victims, and ensure accountability.
He reiterated that strong institutions are the bedrock of tackling organised crime effectively.
Ambassador Okafor stressed that the insecurity resulting from organised crime hinders economic growth and integration across Africa.
He applauded the symposium’s focus on building relevant, resilient, and sustainable institutions to address this pressing issue.
Okafor further emphasised that organised crime is a global challenge, requiring a coordinated response from various stakeholders, including security agencies, governments, and the media.
He highlighted the need for holistic approaches, encompassing law enforcement, prevention, community engagement, socio-economic development, and advocacy, to address root causes of organised crime and promote value reorientation. Additionally, he urged the adoption of advanced technologies like artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance law enforcement capabilities and cross-border cooperation against organised crime in Africa.
The AANI president also disclosed the organisation’s ongoing efforts in advocacy and sensitisation to promote attitudinal change, accountability, and good governance in Nigeria.
He added that AANI is committed to partnering with organisations like the Centre for Transparency and Integrity Watch and other NGOs to provide indigenous solutions to emerging developmental challenges such as organised crime in Africa.
He concluded by reiterating the call on all African countries to confront organised crime head-on, prioritising long-term stability, inclusive development, poverty reduction, and governance enhancement.
He encouraged stakeholders to commit to collaborative efforts, ensuring the rule of law and fostering a secure and prosperous future for the people of Africa.
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