The Comptroller General of the Nigerian Immigration Service (CGI), Kemi Nanna Nandap, has spoken on the need to collaborate with academics to have a knowledge-based security architecture to address the nation’s challenges.
The CGI said this at the opening ceremony of the 19th International Conference of the Society for Peace Studies and Practice (SPSP) on Tuesday, where it was appointed as a member.
The event was held at the Senator Abiola Ajimobi Resource Centre, University of Ibadan.
The conference had as its theme: “Economic challenges and the task of building sustainable peace.”
Addressing the dignitaries at the event, the CGI said the core mandate of the Nigerian Immigration Service institution is around border security, border governance, migration and identity management, highlighting the importance of having a knowledge-based security architecture for Nigeria, taking into account the current situation in the country.
“What this means is that we must work closely with academics as we have done in this institution (University of Ibadan),” he said.
Stating that UI is the first and best based on research and policy development, CGI Nandap noted that there are areas from which the Immigration Service would benefit.
“Based on this, the partnership with your revered institution is essential for us. Going forward, this nation’s security architecture must inculcate many academics to approach these issues from a more knowledge- and data-driven approach.
“Whether we like it or not, the world is evolving; things are changing. We must improve our knowledge, our research and the way we train our officers. So I think the best place to do it is in this great institution, the University of Ibadan,” he said.
Describing her presence at the meeting as a great honor and privilege, the CGI expressed gratitude to the Society for Peace Studies and Practices and the University of Ibadan, adding that she and her officials look forward to working together with the institution.
In his welcome address, the Vice-Chancellor of UI, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, spoke of the theme of the conference being not merely an academic exercise but “striking at the very heart of our contemporary global situation.”
Professor Adebowale noted that the challenges, which included inequality, volatility and uncertainty, debt burden and austerity, unemployment and underemployment, resource scarcity and climate stress, translate into daily struggles for survival, dashed hopes and a pervasive sense of injustice.
He emphasized that sustainable peace requires equitable development, resilient economies, responsible globalization and investment in human capital, and called on everyone to be guided not only by intellectual curiosity, but also by a deep sense of urgency and responsibility, adding: “Sustainable peace requires building economies rooted in ethical character, justice and shared prosperity.”
He urged the gathering to engage in discussions at the conference with an open and shared determination to find ways forward, critical minds, spirits and a shared determination to find ways forward.
He also called on everyone to be guided not only by intellectual curiosity, but also by a deep sense of urgency and responsibility.
In his keynote address, former Chief of Defense Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa (rtd), said Nigerians must learn to live in a society where fairness, justice and equity exist, noting that there will be resentment when this is lacking.
General Musa emphasized true peace, saying it needs the presence of justice, opportunity and realistic hope for a better tomorrow, not just the mere silence of arms.
He stated: “My central argument to you today is that in the 21st century, sustainable peace and inclusive economic prosperity are not sequential goals; they are inextricably linked.
“You cannot have one without the other. What I have observed in conflict zones in Nigeria and beyond is that the absence of war does not constitute peace.
“True peace is not simply the silence of arms; it is the presence of justice, opportunity and the realistic hope of a better tomorrow.”
He said the task before the nation moves from a reactive stance of managing conflict to a proactive stance of cultivating resilient and sustainable peace.
“This requires a fundamental redefinition of our very concept of security. We must move beyond a National Security focused solely on borders, towards a Human Security that prioritizes the well-being, dignity and economic security of each citizen.
“A well-fed, educated and healthy population is the most resistant bulwark against violence.
In conclusion, General Musa advocated reconstruction and forgiveness to forge a solution.
Present at the event were the President of the SPSP Board of Trustees, Prof. Sulaimon Elias Bogoro; the host of the conference, Prof. Isaac Olawale Albert; UI Pro-Chancellor/Chairman of the Council, Chief Bisi Akande; Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale; former Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Yemisi Bamgbose; the President of SPSP, Mr. Nathaniel Awupaila; Dr. Kudu Abubakar; and the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebowale Ogundoyin, among others.
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