Chief of Defence Staff General, Christopher Musa, has identified hunger and poverty as major contributors to Nigeria’s national security threats.
General Musa stated this in Abuja on Monday at the 14th National Security Seminar organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College.
The Chief of Defence Staff, who was represented by the Chief of Defence Training at the Defence Headquarters, Rear Admiral Ibrahim Shetimma, called for a unified national approach to combating hunger and poverty in addition to timely reporting of suspicious movements.
He emphasised that insecurity is not just about arms and ammunition, but also about economic deprivation and social dislocation.
According to him, “Insecurity is no longer defined solely on the presence of arms and ammunition, but is now also rooted in economic deprivation, food insecurity, social dislocation.
“Indeed, empowering the youths, enhancing livelihood, promoting tolerance and encouraging private investment are critical blocks in constructing a secure, resilient nation,” the CDS said.
General Musa called for a national approach to combat hunger and poverty, along with timely reporting of suspicious activities.
He stressed the importance of empowering youth, enhancing livelihoods, promoting tolerance, and encouraging private investment for a secure and resilient nation.
In his remarks, Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru advocated for human-centred security approaches that address root causes of insecurity, including unemployment, poverty, and social exclusion.
The 14th National Security Seminar, themed “Combating Hunger and Poverty for Sustainable Peace and Development in Nigeria,” was organised by the Alumni Association of the National Defence College in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser and National Defence College.
