Akpan Umoh
Gov. Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State has charged the National Institute of Security Studies (NISS) to provide ideas that would enable the country and state key into measures taken to enhance development and security.
He gave the charge when he played host to the participants of syndicate 2 of the Executive Intelligence Management Course, (EIMC)14 and faculty members from the National Institute of Security Studies, Abuja at Government House, Uyo on Wednesday.
Emmanuel, represented by the Deputy Governor, Mr Moses Ekpo, said that security issues were very important to the development of the nation, especially, given the present security challenges.
Emmanuel stated that as a state, Akwa Ibom was fully conscious of the critical significance of security and was doing everything possible to contribute ideas and actions that would bring back normalcy in the country.
He, however, said that in spite of alarming state of insecurity in the country, Akwa Ibom has been adjudged as the most peaceful state in the country.
The governor said he was optimistic that the visit of the institute would further sustain the enabling peace and security prevailing in the state.
“In spite of what happens in the country, I think we’ve been adjudged as the most peaceful state in this country.
“We want to sustain that position, and we think that tours like this, visits like this, studies like this, will further help us in sustaining that position,” Emmanuel said.
The governor commended the security agencies in the state for partnering government in ensuring the promotion of peace and security in the state.
He thanked the institute for selecting Akwa Ibom for its assignment and assured the that State Government would provide them the needed information that will enable them carry out its assignment in the state.
Earlier, the team coordinator, Mrs Nka Obisong, said that the16 participants of syndicate 2 of EIMC and Faculty members of NISS, were senior officers from the intelligence, military, security, parliamentary, law enforcement, regulatory and other Federal Government strategic agencies.
Obisong said that the theme for the 2021 course is “Governance, Security and Sustainable Development in Africa: Nexus, Challenges and Prospect.”
She added that as part of the requirements for the award of Fellow Security Institute, participants must embark on local, state, regional and world study tours.
The team coordinator said that the visit was to fulfill the state study tour requirement.
She said that findings on the tour would be documented and made available to the State and Federal Government to assist in good governance.
The team leader, Mr Emmanuel Esonmonu, said the team was impressed with the infrastructure development in the state.
Esonmonu said that the findings will assist in the documentation of the challenges that would be observed in the state.