Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna, Nigeria .:: NDA Convenes Notable Historians for International Conference on Defence, Security, Economy and Development

NDA Convenes Notable Historians for International Conference on Defence, Security, Economy and Development

It was a gathering of who â€“ is â€“ who in the study of history in Nigeria, and indeed Africa, as the Department of History and War Studies of the Nigerian Defence Academy hosted prominent historians, scholars, top serving and retired military officers and government functionaries for a 2 â€“ Day International Conference at the Academyâ€™s Old Site Complex.

The conference, which was themed, â€œDefence, Security, Economy and Development in Nigeriaâ€, saw a large turnout of notable historians and scholars like the President of the Historical Society of Nigeria, Professor CBN Oghogho, INEC Chairman and Professor AM Yakubu, alongside other scholars from various universities within and outside Nigeria, all of whom commended the Nigerian Defence Academy for organizing such a conference at a time when the nation is in dire need of such discourse.

INEC Chairman, Prof Mahmud Yakubu, making some remarks during the NDA International Conference

On his part, the INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmud Yakubu, noted that not only is there is a direct correlation between security and national development, but the that the former is a necessary ingredient in the sustenance of democracy in the nation. Professor Yabubu, who noted that elections and electioneering area legal process, indicated that no nation can make any meaningful progress where the laws are treated with impunity.

Presenting the Keynote Address at the event Nigeriaâ€™s National Security Advisor, Major General AM Monguno (Rtd), represented at the occasion by Alh AA Ibrahim, stated that the conference is not only timely, but also relevant to Nigeriaâ€™s current realities. â€œSuffice it to say that defence, security, economy and national development constitute veritable Siamese quadruplets which may not easily be separated in the process of, discourse, analysis and evaluation of a nationâ€™s national development. This is because historical antecedents in the development of modern nation states show that when a nation is economically stable, its defence and security will likely be guaranteed, and when its national defence and security are ensured, development can take place.â€, he stated.

General Monguno went on to illustrate how the security challenges in the country, particularly the insurgency in the north east region and the militancy and the illegal oil theft in the south - south region have wrought serious devastation on the land and brought economic activities to a standstill. He however commended the efforts of the current administration in stemming the tide of insecurity and fighting economic crimes within the nation.

Alh AA Ibrahim, rep of the National Security Advisor, Maj Gen AM Monguno, presenting the Keynote Address in behalf of the later during the International Conference

He further commended the Nigerian Defence Academy for organizing a conference that will coordinate the discourse on defence, security, economy and national development that will not only add value to efforts by the current administration but will be beneficial to policy makers and the Nigerian society at large.

Earlier, The Former Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General MT Ibrahim, while welcoming guests and participants to the international conference, said that he hoped the event will fittingly and incisively appraise the four concepts with make up the theme of the conference and bring forth viable solutions to some of the problems confronting the nation. The Former Commandant iterated that defence and security are pivotal to the development of ay society, indicating that whatever happens in the defence and security sector directly impacts on the economy, and ultimately, national development. He therefore challenged participants of the conference to ensure they treat the issue of security extensively by rising beyond the physical manifestations of the term, noting that any discourse in security must be comprehensive otherwise any effort in national development would be a mirage.