Governor Bala Abdulkadir Muhammed of Bauchí opens the 27 Edition of the North East Directors of Department of State Security Conference
By, Abdulwahab Muhammad Bauchí
The Bauchi State Governor Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has Commended the State Directors of the Department of State Security Services DSS, of the North-East .
The Governor made the commendation while declaring open the 17th edition conference of the SDS at the Command's Headquarters, Bauchi.
Governor, Bala Mohammed, said that the conference reflects the collective commitment of Directors of the DSS towards ensuring the safety and security of Nigerian communities in an increasingly complex and challenging environment.Represented by his deputy, Muhammad Auwal Jatau, Governor Bala described the Conference as timely He said that there is the need for security agencies in the country to keep themselves abreast with these challenges and take appropriate measures to nip them in the bud cannot be over-emphasized. Governor Bala said the critical role the Department of State Services is playing in maintaining peace and stability adding that the expertise of the DSS in intelligence gathering is indispensable in a world where threats can emerge from any corner and at any time. "As we all know, our country is currently faced with numerous challenges of insurgency, banditry, and communal clashes, among others. These challenges have not only endangered the lives of our people, but have also threatened our socio-economic development. To overcome these obstacles, we must leverage every tool at our disposal, and that includes the exceptional capabilities of the DSS, and other Security Agencies," he said. The Governor commended the State Directors of Security for initiating the Zonal Conference opening that it will serve as a forum to rub minds and exchange views and ideas with a view to coming up with strategies to identify and check threats to national security. He advised the participants to pool their knowledge and experiences together and come up with workable solutions to the myriad of security challenges facing our country; pointing out that by sharing intelligence and resources, "we can create a more unified front against those who seek to disrupt our peace. It is essential that we adopt a proactive approach-one that prioritizes early intervention and community engagement.”
In his Welcome address the State Director Service SDS Bauchi State Nafiu Bello said the conference is an opportunity to share knowledge, experience and strategies to enhance their work of providing public safety.
He said they will discuss pressing issues and improve partnership,collaboration fostering unity that will enhance the security in the North East subregion.
The Chairman of the North-East SDS, Alhaji Sani Abdullahi Bakori, said that the subregion has had its share of security challenges such as terrorism, boko haram, banditry, kidnapping, communal conflicts, among others, which have resulted in devastating loss of lives, displacements of millions of citizens and its gross significant setbacks to the development of the region and the country at large. Bakori said they are poised to discuss and find lasting solutions to these problems so that the citizens can live securely wherever they are. He stressed that during the three day conference, they would focus on several key areas crucial in fostering stability and peace of the north-east through strengthening community resilience and community policing, strategic collaboration and partnerships with relevant stakeholders in addressing the root causes of these challenges. "The region has faced so many security challenges over the past few years principally, due to the activities of terrorists and insurgent groups, kidnappers, farmers and herders hostilities, youth restiveness, communal conflicts, religious and ethnic intolerance, climate change manifesting in torrential rains and severe floodings as well as socio-economic repercussions of these crises. "The impact has been devastating loss of lives, displacements of millions of citizens and its gross significant setbacks to the development and social cohesion," he said. The North-East SDS Chairman added that: "Today, we are reminded that security is not merely the absence of violence, it is about creating an environment where our children can thrive, where families can feel safe in their homes and where children can pursue their education without fear. "We will be engaged in discussing, over the next few days, let our focus be on several key areas that are crucial in fostering stability and peace of the north-east through strengthening community resilience and community policing, strategic collaboration and partnerships with relevant stakeholders in addressing the root causes of these challenges. "It is pertinent to inform the participants that the world is changing and technically is also very relevant in discharging our mandate. As we move forward, let us be guided by the spirit of collaboration, innovation and determination. The challenges we face are numerous but not insurmountable. Each of us has a role to play in building a safer and more secure north-east Nigeria. He urged stakeholders in the security sector to commit to functional strategies and hold each other accountable as they work towards deliberating solutions that will make tangible differences in the lives of our people. "Let us remember that the true measure of our success will not be the strategies we develop but in the lives we touch and communities we restore a peaceful atmosphere. Together, we can create a future where security is not just a dream but a reality for all citizens of the north-east," he stated.
Dignitaries and Stakeholders that spoke at the occasion include Emir of Bauchi, Speaker of the Bauchi State House of Assembly, Commissioner Ministry of internal security, Army and Police.
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