Tinubu Committed To Lasting Peace, Development in South-East – Minister

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring lasting peace and security in the South-East, describing the region’s stability as critical to Nigeria’s unity, economic growth and national development.

Idris stated this on Thursday at the 2026 South-East Regional Security Summit in Umuahia, Abia State, where he said the Federal Government remains resolute in its efforts to restore peace and strengthen regional stability through collaboration and sustained investments in security.

“When the South-East is secure, Nigeria is stronger. When every region enjoys peace, our democracy flourishes. And when we stand together as one people, united by a common destiny, no force can diminish the promise of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the Minister said.

Speaking on the theme, “Collaborative Approaches to Strengthening Security and Regional Stability,” Idris stressed that addressing insecurity requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach involving governments at all levels, security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and citizens.

He reiterated President Tinubu’s commitment to protecting lives and property through improved intelligence sharing, enhanced inter-agency coordination, better equipment for security agencies and stronger international partnerships.

“The Federal Government remains fully committed to ensuring that every community across the South-East enjoys lasting peace and security. Security is the foundation for investment, education, agriculture and economic prosperity,” he said.

The Minister noted that the administration’s investments in infrastructure, youth empowerment, education, digital skills acquisition and support for small businesses are integral parts of its broader strategy to tackle insecurity by creating opportunities and addressing its root causes.

He also urged Nigerians to reject misinformation and support ongoing constitutional reforms aimed at strengthening grassroots policing through the establishment of State Police.

“Peace is more than the absence of conflict. It is the presence of justice, opportunity, inclusion and hope. Together, we must reject division and work to build communities founded on trust and shared prosperity,” Idris added.

Delivering the goodwill message of the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, represented by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, said the National Assembly would continue to provide the legislative backing required to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture and promote lasting peace.

He said tackling insecurity demands strong partnerships among government, security agencies, traditional institutions, civil society and citizens.

“No nation has ever secured itself through isolated efforts; security succeeds where partnerships flourish,” Yar’Adua said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, called for stronger regional cooperation and institutional reforms to address emerging security challenges in the South-East.

“The time has come to move from dialogue to implementation. Security cannot be achieved through force alone; it requires collaboration, community trust and collective responsibility,” Kalu said.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the House of Representatives to supporting legislative and constitutional reforms that would strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.

In his remarks, Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, described security as the foundation of development and prosperity, stressing that meaningful progress cannot be achieved in an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.

“We cannot afford to surrender this great land and its people to the forces of insecurity. Security is the foundation upon which all our hopes for development and prosperity rest,” Otti said.

He advocated greater economic opportunities for young people, improved intelligence sharing and efforts to address the underlying causes of crime to sustain peace and accelerate regional development.

The Minister of Defence, Christopher Musa (Rtd), also reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property through sustained investments in the Armed Forces and other security agencies.

“Security is not solely the responsibility of the Armed Forces or the Police; it is a shared responsibility that requires the collective commitment of government, communities and every patriotic citizen,” Musa said.

He added that enhanced training, modern equipment, improved intelligence gathering and stronger inter-agency collaboration are strengthening Nigeria’s capacity to respond effectively to evolving security threats.