By Gift Chapi-Odekina
Nigeria has been applauded over efforts made towards provision of logistics and resources in the bid to address the national security challenges than any regime in the history of democratic governance in Nigeria.
The commendation was made on wednesday by the Network of African Parliamentarians for Defence and Security Committees (NAPDSC) in Abuja.
According to the President of NAPDSC, Rep. Sha’aban Sharada who stated this during the 7th Extraordinary Session of the Network of African Parliamentarians for Defence and Security Committees, efforts made so far by Nigeria was highly commendable.
He said: “the leadership of the Network paid a special solidarity visit to the Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, which was yesterday. Although the President was represented by the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, it has succeeded in commending the Buhari administration for remarkable performance in facilitating efficient national security sector reform that attracts the attention of sister African countries and the Network to commend.
“It is significant to note that the Buhari administration has not only prioritised security on its governance agenda, but has committed more time, logistics and resources to address the national security challenges than any regime in the history of democratic governance in Nigeria.
“At this point, it is important to mention the professionalization of the military/intelligence community, enhanced provision of capacity development services, improved international collaboration within ECOWAS states and consistent increase in annual budgetary allocations for security sector over the years.
“This fantastic development has strengthened the national security agencies to address disturbing security threats from Boko Haram insurgents and other emerging crimes to ensure stability in governance and peaceful coexistence in the country.
“It has also propelled the image of Nigeria for setting exemplary leadership in fighting humanitarian crimes and ensuring a sustainable democratic governance within the ECOWAS sub-region and the continent.
“In support of this reality, the Buhari administration has facilitated the enactment of laudable sector reform legislations that have significant impact on national security and realisation of government agenda related to development of political and socio-economic rights of Nigerians.
“A few examples of such legal frameworks include the Petroleum Industry Act, 2021, Electoral Act, 2022, Police Act, 2020, the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act, the Terrorism (Amendment Act), 2015, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, the Cyber Crime Act and several Constitution Alterations Acts that largely beatified the national security sector reform in the present democratic dispensation.
According to him, the 7th Extraordinary session was organized to carry out the investiture of the newly elected President General, Hon. Berting Mobanzi who is the chairman of Defence in the National Assembly of Democratic Republic of Congo.
In his remarks, Hon. Yoe Fozie from Democratic Republic of Congo who spoke on the 6th Conference held in Kinshaha , explained that the Network during a meeting held in Dakar in 2016 had per review of security experiences across the continent, with a view to develop uniform policy.
