Abuja: Traditional rulers, religious leaders, security chiefs, and policymakers convened on Friday to explore strategies for developing a more robust, inclusive, and sustainable security framework in Nigeria. They gathered at the inaugural National Citizens Stakeholders’ Engagement organized by the Project 774 Network in Abuja, under the theme ‘Our Security, Our Duty: Citizens Standing with Our Troops to End Terrorism, Banditry and Kidnapping.’
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the stakeholders collectively agreed that achieving lasting peace in Nigeria necessitates addressing the root causes of conflicts rather than merely responding to crises. Mohammed Ibrahim, the Convener of Project 774, emphasized the importance of bridging the gap between leaders and citizens to unite for a common cause. He expressed optimism about the presence of individuals genuinely committed to advancing the nation.
Ibrahim highlighted the potential of Nigeria, noting its abundant resources capable of funding national needs. He stressed the necessity of unity and collective will to harness these resources for solutions benefiting every citizen. The Chief Convener, the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, explained that ‘774’ represents Nigeria’s total number of local government areas, and the summit aimed to transition from crisis reaction to building enduring systems where every Nigerian contributes to peace.
Sanusi expressed concerns over the growing class divide and diminishing sense of shared citizenship, emphasizing that security should be a collective responsibility. He identified drug abuse as a significant factor driving violence and urged collaboration with security agencies to rebuild moral values and reclaim the nation.
Guest Speaker Professor Sunday Lugard from the University of Jos advocated for a citizen-centric approach to security governance, highlighting the importance of trust and active community participation in enhancing security systems. He called for the development of clear and safe systems for communities to provide intelligence to authorities without fear, emphasizing that security should be a collaborative effort from grassroots to the national level. Lugard also underscored the role of indigenous security services in fostering cooperation and promoting peace nationwide.