Addressing insecurity requires cross-cutting professionalism by the military and security agencies, the Commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu.
Olotu said this at the opening of the Defence and Security Management Course 8, anchored by the college on Monday in Abuja.
He was represented by the Director, Academic Research and Analytical Support, Commodore Aminu Abdullahi.
The commandant said the challenges confronting Nigeria were multidimensional and complex, adding that the threats were no longer confined within the national borders.
According to him, the threats transcend into the realm of cyberspace, terrorism, insurgency, and other forms of unconventional warfare or violence.
“Therefore, it is imperative that we equip ourselves with the knowledge, expertise, and capabilities to build the cross-cutting professionalism required tackling these obstacles to our national security.
“The strategic application of soft power and human security perspective requires more inclusiveness of military and non-military institutions as well as other stakeholders to play a critical role in sustaining national security,’’ he said.
Olotu said the course would serve as a crucible of innovation, critical function, and strategic planning.
He added that the course also provides an avenue for critical stakeholders in the defence and security sector to provide viable and sustainable solutions to contemporary security challenges.
According to him, this course presents another great opportunity to reemphasise the NDC’s commitment towards the realisation of Nigeria’s national security objectives through capacity building of military and security personnel.
The Provost, Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, NDC, Prof. Adam Ahmed, said the course provides opportunity to engage institutions to critically brainstorm and build capacities of agencies engaged in addressing insecurity.
Ahmed said the course was also a testament of NDC’s commitment to building leaders and fostering interagency connectivity for middle cadre officers and their counterparts in relevant MDAs and civil society.
According to him, the course aims at building expertise and network in defence and security by equipping participants with analytical tools and strategic foresight necessary to navigate the dynamics in the defence and security sector.
The provost said the previous courses had elicited changes in the handling of the security challenges by the military and other security agencies in the country.
He added that the event had prompted the promotion of non-kinetic approach to addressing insecurity as well as enhanced civil-military relations in the country. (NAN)
