General News
DR Bakut Bakut, Director-General Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), says dialogue and cooperation are the requisite steps towards ending Nigeria’s current security challenges.
Bakut stated this on Wednesday in Abuja, in a statement issued by Esther Ndukwe, IPCR spokesperson, conveying his Eid-el-Fitr goodwill message to Nigerians.
The Director-General, who expressed concerns over the prevailing security challenges in the country, urged Nigerians to desist from the blame game, adding that it would only worsen the current security situation.
“Therefore, it becomes expedient for all citizens to cooperate, collaborate and support the military and other security agencies with the intelligence that would enhance a better policing system to win this war.
“The IPCR appeals to all Nigerians to refrain from politicizing issues of national importance but should remain patriotic to support the relentless efforts of the Federal Government in addressing the security challenges.
“Therefore, the way out of this precarious situation is for all citizens and various stakeholders – both the leaders and the led, government and the governed – to come together to dialogue for durable solutions that would make Nigeria a better place for all.
“The institute also urges Nigerians to cooperate and support the efforts of the Federal Government and relevant authorities to curb the ugly situation,” Bakut said.
According to the D-G, IPCR as a government Institution vested with the mandate of promoting and building peace frowns at the current unabated spate of bloodshed, terrorism, kidnappings, and banditry in the country.
These, he said, constituted factors that were capable of destabilizing the internal security of the state and projecting the country’s image in a bad light in the global community.
“We, therefore, condemn these acts and call on their perpetrators to desist from orchestrating these dastardly acts and give peace a chance.
“From our conflict tracking assessment, the state of security in our nation today shows that virtually all sectors of the economy have been negatively affected by the growing insecurity.
“This, no doubt, has culminated in mutual suspicions and strife that are shaking the core of our diversity and impeding the developmental drive and policies of the Buhari-led administration,” he said.
The Peace Institute boss also commended the courage of the Nigerian military, police, and other security agencies, who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, in order to bring about peace and strengthen the bond of Nigeria’s unity.
He noted that insecurity was not peculiar to Nigeria, but had become a global phenomenon, which many nations across the globe were grappling with, stressing that the institute was not unaware of the phenomenon.
Bakut assured Nigeria’s security forces of IPCR’s continuous support and urged them to step up their efforts, adding that there was no amount of sacrifice that was too much to rid Nigeria of its current security challenges.
“We commend President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment and the political will he has demonstrated by joining forces with other African leaders to end the spate of insurgency and general insecurity, not only in Nigeria but the African continent at large.
“IPCR wishes to admonish the Nigerian public not to lose hope or faith, in spite of these difficult moments and enjoins all to see the present challenges as a passing phase in nation-building, which can engender national development and transformation if managed constructively.
“IPCR uses the occasion of this Holy Month of Ramadan to appeal for calm and special prayers for the peace of Nigeria as Id el Fitr is observed nationwide,” Bakut added. (NAN)
– May 12, 2021 @ 14:45 GM
Tags: collaboration critical to ending Nigeria’s security challenges —Bakut dialogue
