The Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Gen. Christopher Musa, has called for a comprehensive approach to address security challenges by integrating military strategies with diplomatic efforts, community engagements, and good governance.
Mr Musa made the call at the opening of the International Security Management Course (ISMC-5), organised by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs, NIIA, on Monday in Abuja.
The course with the theme, “Emerging Security and Economic Issues in the ECOWAS Sub-region”, was organised in collaboration with Peace Building Development Consult, PBDC, and the ECOWAS Commission.
The CDS was represented by the Deputy Director of Peacekeeping Operations, Defense Headquarters, Brig.-Gen. Raymond Utsaha.
He said the course showed a growing realisation of the collective responsibility by other notable institutions in addressing insecurity and aligned with the whole society addressing insecurity in Nigeria and the sub-region.
According to him, today’s rapidly evolving geo-political landscape and the complex security challenges have made effective security management more crucial.
“These security challenges range from terrorism, cyber-threats, transnational organised crimes, geo-political tensions, and environmental disasters, amongst others.
“Accordingly, we must also recognise our approach to these challenges needs to be comprehensive and integrate military strategies with diplomatic efforts, community engagements, and good governance.
“Thus, a sophisticated understanding of both national and international security dynamics in this regard is important,” he said.
Musa said it had become critical in equipping leaders, security practitioners, and policy-makers with the tools and expertise needed to navigate the complex security environment.
He said the future of the nation’s security depended on their collective commitment to continuous education and professional development.
According to him, the success of any security strategy depends on the quality of human capital behind it.
The Director-General of NIIA, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, represented by the Director of Studies, Prof. Efem Ubi, said the post-Cold war era had ushered in new realities and challenges with fresh opportunities for action.
Osaghae said the change processes had brought to the forefront, a diversity of actors and non-state actors or state and non-state actors, with vast asymmetries and disparities in their respective political, military, technological, and economic capabilities.
He said the international system had shown changes in the nature of global actors, adding that while some states had failed, others were said to be failing as a result of insecurity.
According to him, the security challenges demand urgent solutions from both individuals and states, which must act collectively to realise the shared vision of peace and security.
