By Genesis Ogiri
ABUJA — Stakeholders have advocated greater inclusion, good governance and ethical leadership as critical measures to strengthen national security and build a safer, more stable and prosperous Nigeria.
The call was made at the Empower Her for Governance, Inclusion and National Security Summit, organised by the iTeach Africa Initiative in Abuja, with stakeholders stressing the need for stronger collaboration among government, security agencies, communities and civil society.
Speaking at the summit, the Director-General and Founder of the iTeach Africa Initiative, Ebimoboere (Ebi) Alaibe Elezieanya, said national security is ultimately about people, their lives, dignity, freedom and their right to live without fear.
Alaibe described inclusion as a security imperative, stressing that Nigeria’s security challenges are too complex for one institution to handle alone. She called for greater collaboration among security agencies and other stakeholders, while advocating stronger protection and meaningful participation of women in governance, peace-building and security processes.
Also speaking, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), called for a change in the character of leadership, recruitment and the relationship between citizens and government.
He stressed that leadership stability and inclusive governance are inseparable, adding that Africa needs ethical leadership capable of converting its diversity into meaningful development.
Chief Timi Alaibe called for a governance system that guarantees citizens justice, opportunity and a sense of belonging, identifying economic inclusion, political inclusion and community peace architecture as key areas requiring urgent attention.
He cautioned that representation without authority is symbolism, stressing the need for meaningful participation in decision-making.
A Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), who spoke on condition of anonymity, urged security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, stressing that “intelligence prevents catastrophes.”
He called on Divisional Police Officers to organise monthly security summits rather than relying solely on conventional press briefings, saying regular community engagement would improve information sharing, trust and early response to emerging threats.
The PDP Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Bolanle Amina Sarumi Aliyu (BASA), also urged the Federal Government to prioritise citizen welfare and human capital development as essential components of effective governance and national security.
Speaker after speaker lauded the summit as a timely platform for advancing inclusion, good governance and ethical leadership, stressing that national security goes beyond military and policing operations to encompass justice, dignity, rights, opportunities and citizens’ sense of belonging.
The summit, held under the theme, “Empower Her for Governance: Advancing Women’s Leadership for Inclusive Governance and Security,” ended with a renewed call for stronger partnerships among government, security agencies, communities and civil society to promote inclusive governance and build a safer and more stable Nigeria.
