Combating terrorism should be a task for all – Gusau

The Minister of Defence, retired Lieutenant General Aliyu Gusau, on Wednesday said the task of combating terrorism should be the responsibility of all men and women of goodwill.
Gusau made the remark at the opening of at a three-day Defence Headquarters’ 2014 National Security Seminar with the theme: “National Security Challenges and Contemporary Threats in Nigeria.”
The minister, who was represented by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Alhaji Aliyu Ismalia, said the challenge was a natural phenomenon and an aspect of national development.
He said: “Therefore, it is reasonable to come together with positive minds and objectives to contribute to the way forward in tackling the current security challenges.
“My word to all of us is that you should always remember that this country has given us so much and so much is expected of us collectively.
“Always bear in mind that the task of national security is the responsibility of all men and women of goodwill.”
Gusau urged members of the Armed Forces to remain focused and not relent so as to sustain the momentum in the fight against insurgency.
Former Chief of Defence Staff, retired General Martin Luther Agwai, noted that the caliber of personalities in attendance was an indication that security was everybody’s business.
Agwai said there must be synergy between security agencies and stakeholders in the country.
He said: “We must have the goodwill of interacting with the media and have goodwill of managing information.
“We must also learn to be proactive because what I have noticed is that we spend a lot of time reacting instead of being proactive on some pressing issues.”
Agwai urged stakeholders to consider national interest first, stressing: “Security is the wellbeing of human beings.”
Earlier, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, said that stakeholders’ approach, which manifested through the employment of instruments of national power, was crucial if terrorism was to be defeated.
Badeh said that the importance of employing all instruments of national power was manifested in the fact that the war against terrorism was not a fight for the military alone but a fight for the entire nation.
He said: “Moreover, government needs safe and secure environment in order to embark on its transformation agenda and provide dividends of democracy to the people.
“Therefore, it is our firm belief that when all efforts are combined in a holistic manner, we will be able to defeat terrorism and restore peace and order in our dear country.
“I urge presenters, resource persons and discussants, as well as invited guests to be open-minded and practical in their suggestions toward finding a lasting solution to the insurgency and other security challenges facing the nation.”
In his welcome address, Major General Mohammed Ibrahim, the Director of Civil Military Relations, Defence Headquarters, said peace and security were the bedrock of national development.
Ibrahim said no development could take place in a society devoid of security, hence the theme of the seminar would be of great interest to all.
Ibrahim said that the aim of the seminar was for stakeholders to exchange ideas, knowledge and experience so as to achieve common focus on national security challenges.
The seminar was attended by service chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, members of the diplomatic corps and civil society organisations, among others.