New National Star, NUJ Hold Security Conference Thursday

Worried by the rising insecurity in the country, a national daily, New National Star newspaper and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) will be holding a National Security Conference on Thursday.

According to the media platform and the NUJ, the conference offers an opportunity for citizen engagement that will bring solutions to the rising insecurity in the country.

Speaking at a joint press conference, the Managing Director/Editor-in-chief, New National Star, Dr Obinna Nwachukwu and the National President of the NUJ, Chris Isiguzo, said the conference was basically on how to address the insecurity challenges in the country.

“As you are aware, in more than a decade now, security has become a major issue in Nigeria. Nowhere is safe. Even Abuja and the FCT, the nation’s capital, are not safe like before. But one thing is clear, although insecurity is everywhere in the country, still, each region/zone has its own peculiar security issues

“In the South-South, it is crude oil theft, oil bunkering and sea pirates. In the South-East, it’s the menace of the now infamous ‘unknown gunmen’. In the South-West, it’s kidnapping, in North-East it’s Boko Haram/terrorism, North-West is illegal mining while North-Central is Farmers/Herders crisis, etc

“However, in all these zones, armed robbery, kidnapping and murder are common experiences. Therefore, this conference is designed to bring all key stakeholders together to address these issues with a view to finding a lasting, workable solutions.

“It is part of our contributions to societal growth and development. It shall bring together, security stakeholders, professionals, political leaders, civil society organizations, journalists, community and religious leaders, citizens and residents in the country, with the aim of reaching out to each other to collectively address the growing insecurity in the country.

“His Excellency, Senator George Akume, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has accepted to chair the conference. The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu is the Special Guest of Honour and he will deliver the Keynote Address while H.E. Barr. Nyesom Wike, the Honourable Minister of the FCT is the Chief Host

“The Guest Speaker is no other than Dr. Solomon Arase, CFR, former Inspector-General of Police and current Chairman of Police Service Commission (PSC). He will speak on “Citizen Engagement in the fight against crime and criminalities in Nigeria,” MD/Editor-in-chief of New National Star, Dr Obinna Nwachukwu said of the programme taking place on February 22, 2024, at the NAF conference centre, Abuja.

On his part, the NUJ National Chairman, Mr Chris Isiguzo, said as journalists, they must set the right agenda.

“We can’t keep quiet on the insecurity challenges happening in the country. It’s better the fourth estate of the real rise up and set agenda because we are disturbed by the insecurity.

“We’ve taken time to look at the insecurity challenges from the regional perspective,” Isiguzo said, adding that the event will also be an opportunity for them to recognise and honour the headship of Tantita security company over what they are doing in the Nigerian maritime sector.