ABUJA (SundiataPost) – The Presidential Committee on the Review of the National Defence Policy (NDP) has called for contributions from members of the public in order to ensure that all aspects of Nigeria are covered in line with the emerging security challenges.
The Chairman of the 35-member Committee, Air Vice Marshal Mohammed Umaru (rtd) made this call yesterday during a press conference in Abuja.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”8″]
Umaru said that active public participation is necessary for a comprehensive NDP as “the Committee prepares to submit its draft to the Federal government”
He said the review of the National defence policy has become imperative in view of the security challenges facing the country.
According to him, the need to improve the security architecture of the country is in line with contemporary security issues as well as to meet up with global standard.
He assured that the three-month deadline given to the committee is achievable, adding that “NDP provides general guidelines for employment of the armed forces and deployment of national resources to secure Nigerian citizens, maintain the country’s territorial integrity, protect her from external aggression and facilitate the achievement of her national interest.
“Besides plenary sessions, subcommittee works and interaction with key stakeholders in the security sector in the country, the methodology adopted also includes visits to strategic industries and institutions across the country and public presentations”.
Speaking further, the Chairman Presidential Committee said that the Defence policy of 2006 did not anticipate the terrorism and insurgency in the country.
“There are new developments and challenges in the global environment that have direct impact on our national security and national defence, these challenges highlights the need for the review of the national defence policy to address emerging threats”, he said.
He revealed that public presentations would be held simultaneously in Kaduna, Enugu and Lagos, where “members of the public will have the opportunity to contribute”.
According to Umaru, the public lectures and presentations are to give Nigerians the opportunity to contribute to the formulation of a new National Defence Policy.
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”10″]
[pro_ad_display_adzone id=”8″]
The event expected to hold from next week will address among other topics, management of national security resources, Total Defence: Concept and practice, Research and Development for self Reliance in Defence needs, Citizens’ participation in National Defence and Morale, welfare and National Defence.
Other topics include: Defence, Climate Change and Disaster Management, Total Defence: Concept and Practice, Research and Development for Self Reliance in Defence Needs: Public, Private, Partnership (PPP), and Enhancing Acquisition Process for Effective National Defence.
Topics to be treated also are: Citizens Participation in National Defence, Evolving Civil Military Relations: Concept and Practice, Robust Reserve Force for the Armed Forces: Options for National Defence and Morale, Welfare and National Defence.