Boss Mustapha, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has urged Nigerians to work together to address the country’s persistent security challenges in order to ensure peace and stability.
Mustapha made the remark in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Port Harcourt, on Saturday.
NAN reports that the former SGF was in Port Harcourt for the National Conference of the Full Gospel Business Men Felowship.
He said that the security challenges and agitations were becoming pandemic across the Sub-Saharan region which collective responsibility was needed to ensure peace in the region.
He expressed concern over the security situation in the country, describing it as a recurring issue that had persisted across multiple administrations.
Mustapha explained that the administrations included those of Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, Goodluck Jonathan, Muhammadu Buhari, and President Bola Tinubu and added that Nigeria security challenge was not new.
He recalled that during President Buhari’s administration, the government engaged with the Office of the Secretary of State (United States of America), through the Foreign Affairs Ministry.
He explained that the engagement was to address concerns raised by the international community, particularly USA, over the security situation in Nigeria.
Mustapha noted that the government was able to convince the US government that its concerns were being addressed, leading to the country being removed from a list of countries with religious freedom concerns in 2021.
He emphasised the need for Nigeria to deploy all its diplomatic resources to engage with other nations and attract investments.
’’Security is a collective effort that requires intelligence gathering, dissemination, and harmonisation of approaches,’’ he said.
Mustapha expressed his desire to see Nigeria return to normalcy as quickly as possible, and praised the current government’s efforts to address the security challenges.
He identified the conflict in Nigeria as hydra-headed with religious, economic, and land control dimensions, and stressed the need for the government and citizens to work together to address the issue.
Mustapha also emphasised the importance of productivity and investment in industries to drive economic growth and reduce inflation.
The former SGF urged Nigerians to support the government’s efforts to address the security challenges and promote economic development.
