Gov Sule commends Abdul Rahman for establishing Centre for Security Studies

|By Paulinus Auta

The Governor of Nasarawa State, Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule, has commended the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Lafia (FULafia), Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman, for establishing the Centre for Security Studies in the University.

The governor made the commendation during a public lecture organised to mark the inauguration of the Centre at the Permanent Site Campus of the University.

Represented by the Commissioner of Special Duties, Security and Public Affairs, Amb. Timothy Kasuwa, Sule said the inauguration of the Centre came at a time when the government and stakeholders were making efforts to find lasting solutions to security challenges in the country.

The governor used the occasion to sympathise with the University over the recent security breaches that occurred within the communities neighbouring the University, saying: “My heart is with the University at these trying moments.”

He said that his administration has put in place measures to address security challenges in the University including regular security patrol of the students’ residential areas and completion of a block of female hostel within the University.

The governor urged the staff and students to join hands with the management to develop the University.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, and former director of military intelligence, Maj-Gen. Azga’aku Tsotan Umaru, said that Nigeria “is currently being challenged by insecurity across all the states and geopolitical zones of the country,” stressing the need to continue to put in place adequate measures to address the challenge.

He noted that the establishment of the Centre for Security Studies in FULafia was one of the strategies that, if properly utilised, could help to address the challenge.

He called on citizens to be conscious of happenings in and around their environments.

He said: “We must be vigilant and aware of the threats around us at all times.”

In his address, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman, thanked the governor and Government of Nasarawa State for their support to the University, especially in the efforts to curb the security challenges around the University’s environment.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Ali Is’haq Shugaba, Abdul Rahman described insecurity as a hydra-headed monster that required collaborative approaches to deal with.

He said the Centre was established to enhance collaborations, research and development of the University, particularly in areas of peace and security.

Abdul Rahman appreciated the efforts of the Director of the Centre, Prof. George Genyi, for organising the public lecture and attracting the calibre of persons invited for the event, emphasising that the invitees must remain strategic partners of the centre and the University.

Delivering the welcome address, the Director, Prof. George Genyi, thanked the governor and all heads of security agencies in the state for attending the public lecture, declaring that he was extremely happy by their presence.

He expressed gratitude to the vice chancellor, Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman for approving the resources for the event hold.

He said the Centre would work with other stakeholders within and outside the University and make useful recommendations to address some of the current security challenges in the country.

The event was attended by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Research and Partnerships, Prof. Samaila Dakyes, Registrar, Mallam Nuradeen Abdu, representative of the University Librarian, Dr. Akanmidu Olamide Johnson, deans and directors of the University, senior deputy registrars, heads of departments, staff and students.

Also, in attendance were the Director, of the Department of State Service, Nasarawa State, the Commandant, of Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, Nasarawa State, Commander, of 4 Special Forces Command Doma, Nasarawa State, Controller of Immigration, Nasarawa State, Commandant, Command Science Secondary School, Lafia and Arc. Ahmed Abdullahi Isah, of the SDGs Planning House, Lafia.