By Lawrence Bilal Audu
Former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General (Dr) Tukur Yusufu Buratai, CFR has emphasized the need for collective action to tackle Nigeria’s pressing challenges.
Buratai equally highlighted insecurity, power deficit, and transitioning to a digital economy as critical areas requiring effective solutions.
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The former Army Chief gave the remarks at a Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) 8th Annual Conference, at the Reverton Hotel, Lokoja, Kogi State.
Represented by his Special Advisor and Director Research and Documentation, Tukur Buratai Research Centre, Dr Mohammed Sani Abubakar, Buratai averred that Nigeria’s insecurity undermines social cohesion and economic growth, necessitating dialogue on mitigation strategies.
The power deficit he said, with installed capacity at 12,522MW, far below the required 98,000MW, exacerbates energy poverty. This results in only 40% of the population having access to electricity, with erratic supply and prolonged outages.
“As Nigeria continues to confront pervasive insecurity that undermines social cohesion and economic development, the dialogue surrounding effective strategies to mitigate these threats is crucial.
“The transition to a digital economy presents a unique opportunity for Nigeria to leverage technology as a catalyst for economic diversification and resilience.”
Buratai expressed optimism in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s efforts to restructure the government and improve infrastructure. To address these challenges, Buratai recommended support for President Tinubu’s infrastructure reforms. He emphasized the importance of restructuring the government to deliver democracy’s dividends, particularly in the power sector.
“Let us support the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR as he rejig the government towards improving the nation’s infrastructure so as to deliver the dividends of democracy.” Buratai stated further that, effective resolution of power sector challenges is crucial for rapid economic development.
Furthermore, Buratai stressed the need to harness the potentials of transitioning to a digital economy. This requires strategic measures to improve information delivery, encourage citizen participation, and empower citizens for socio-economic participation.
By addressing these challenges Buratai said, Nigeria can ensure a more secure, prosperous, and technologically advanced future. Buratai emphasized the importance of collective action and support for the government’s initiatives. “With a united front, Nigeria can overcome its challenges and achieve greatness.” He adds.
Mallam Yusuf Mamman, former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain and Chairman of the occasion, sounded the alarm on the unregulated use of social media, citing it as a significant threat to national security. He emphasized the urgent need to protect morality and sanity in the digital space.
Mamman urged GOCOP to harness the power of new media for the betterment of Nigeria. By leveraging social media responsibly, GOCOP can promote positive development and counterbalance the negative impacts of unguided online activities.
Former Governor of Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke, identified key factors contributing to insecurity in Nigeria as, poverty and youth unemployment. Additionally, weak governance and corruption exacerbate the problem, as corrupt practices and ineffective institutions fail to address security challenges effectively.
Furthermore, the proliferation of small arms among non-state actors has reached alarming levels, with more arms in circulation than ever before.
Imoke commended the successes achieved by Operation Lafiya Dole in combating Boko Haram insurgency. Citing the global terrorism index, he noted a 40% decline in Boko Haram’s activities, indicating a significant reduction in their influence.
To address insecurity, Imoke advocated for a multi-faceted approach. He emphasized the importance of adequate funding for security operations, as well as engaging in dialogue to resolve conflicts and address underlying issues.
This year’s conference, themed “Nigeria: Tackling Insecurity, Power Deficit, and Transitioning to a Digital Economy,” had in attendance representativw of the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, former Cross River State Governor and former Minister of Power, Dr Liyel Imoke, President, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations NIPR, publishers and a host of others.
