Stakeholders Seek Inclusion, Good Governance to Strengthen National Security at Ebi’s Summit

 By Genesis ogiri 

ABUJA — Stakeholders have called for greater inclusion, good governance and ethical leadership as critical measures to strengthen national security and build a safer, more stable and prosperous Nigeria.

The call was made at the Empower Her for Governance Summit, organised by the iTeach Africa Initiative and convened by its Director-General and Founder, Ebimoboere (Ebi) Alaibe Elezieanya, in Abuja. The summit was held under the theme, “Empower Her for Governance: Advancing Women’s Leadership for Inclusive Governance and Security.”

The gathering brought together stakeholders from government, the security sector, civil society and development organisations to examine the relationship between women’s leadership, inclusive governance, development and national security.

Speaking at the summit,

Ebimoboere said national security is ultimately about people, their lives, dignity, freedom and their right to live without fear. She stressed that in times of insecurity, inclusion is not merely a moral idea but a practical and necessary pathway to building a safer and stronger nation.

According to her, “inclusion is a security imperative,” stressing that insecurity in Nigeria is too complex for one institution to handle alone. She therefore called for stronger collaboration among security agencies, government institutions, communities, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to effectively confront the nation’s security challenges.

Ebi also called for greater protection of women during conflicts, noting that women face numerous challenges during periods of insecurity. She advocated measures that would protect women while also creating opportunities for them to participate meaningfully in peace-building, governance and security decision-making.

Also speaking, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development (Centre LSD), called for a change in the character of leadership, recruitment into leadership positions and the relationship between citizens and government.

Igbuzor stressed that leadership stability and inclusive governance are inseparable, noting that inclusion, development and good governance are themselves security imperatives. He said Africa’s future can be anchored on ethical leadership capable of converting its diversity into meaningful development.

He further stressed that stability must be rooted in justice, noting that the objective should not simply be to build the state but to build a responsible state alongside responsible citizens who can contribute to sustainable national development.

In his remarks, Chief Timi Alaibe called for a governance system that guarantees citizens justice, opportunity and a sense of belonging. He identified economic inclusion, political inclusion and community peace architecture as key areas requiring urgent attention, while cautioning that representation without authority amounts to symbolism.

A Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), who spoke on condition of anonymity, urged security agencies to strengthen intelligence gathering, stressing that “intelligence prevents catastrophes.” He called on Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to hold monthly security summits within their areas of responsibility rather than relying solely on conventional press briefings.

The senior police officer said regular engagement with community leaders, residents, women, youths and other stakeholders would improve information sharing, strengthen trust between security agencies and citizens, and facilitate the early identification and response to emerging security threats.

Also speaking, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senatorial Candidate for Oyo South, Hon. Bolanle Amina Sarumi Aliyu (BASA), urged the Federal Government to prioritise citizen welfare and human capital development as essential components of effective governance, national development and sustainable national security.

BASA stressed that national security should not be viewed solely through the lens of military strength and law enforcement, arguing that the welfare, dignity and economic well-being of citizens are fundamental to creating a stable and secure society.

She called for greater investment in education, skills development, employment opportunities and other human capital initiatives capable of empowering citizens and reducing vulnerabilities that could contribute to insecurity.

Speaker after speaker

lauded the summit as a timely platform for advancing inclusion, good governance and ethical leadership, stressing that national security goes beyond military and policing operations to encompass justice, dignity, rights, opportunities and citizens’ sense of belonging.

The summit ended with a renewed call for stronger collaboration among government, security agencies, communities and civil society, with stakeholders insisting that inclusion, good governance and ethical leadership remain indispensable to achieving lasting peace, stability and national security in Nigeria.