By Chuks Oyema-Aziken
The Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) has once again stated it’s committment towards Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in Nigeria.
The Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Center, ONSA, Rear Admiral Yem Musa made the pledge at the Stakeholders Consultative Forum on PCVE Implementation in Nigeria qin Abuja on Thursday.
The forum was organized by ActionAid with funding from Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) and collaboration of ONSA.
The Coordinator said the Policy Framework and National Action Planfor Preventing and Countering Violent Extremism in Nigeria signed by President Muhammadu Buhari GCFR has provided a clear roadmap for active participation, engagement and capacity building in preventing and countering violent extremism.
He said: “The Office of the NSA is tasked with the coordination of all counter terrorism measures in the country and as a result we have been deliberate in setting milestones in building networks of peace that create resilient communities across Nigeria.
“Human rights and the rule of law remain the guiding principle in our strategies for combating violent extremism. It is a known fact that preventing and countering violent extremism requires multidisciplinary strategies and approaches to achieve desired goals and objectives.
He said the forum is an opportunity for reflection on the progress and opportunities to foster peace through the promotion of tolerance and constructive contributions to building resilient communities.
He said the myriad of security challenges provides appropriate time for vigorous engagement and sensitization because security response is the responsibility of all.
“The Office of the National Security Adviser is collaborating with ActionAid in order to promote synergy and strengthen PCVE implementation in Nigeria. It will be recalled that such synergy with development actors paved the way for the establishment of Partnership Against Violent Extremism Network (PAVE).
In a welcome remark read on her behalf, Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi, quoted the Global Terrorism Index Report of 2020 which said that Nigeria ranks third most terrorized country in the World after Afghanistan and Iraq.
According to her “All these are clear indication of the need for conceited efforts on peace and security in the country.
“ActionAid Nigeria in line with the theme of the National Action Plan on PCVE in Nigeria “Partnering for Safer and Resilience Communities” believes that peace and security is the business of everyone.
Director-general, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Mr Garba Abari stressed need for all Nigerians to come together and forestall violent extremism.
The workshop was attended by traditional rulers, representatives of CSOs, MDAs, security agencies and people from areas facing terrorist attacks.
