The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd.), has challenged participants of Senior Course 47 from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, to produce actionable recommendations from their study tour that will address Nigeria’s pressing security challenges.
Ibas gave the charge on Monday when the military delegation paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House in Port Harcourt. Represented by Secretary to the State Government Prof. Ibibia Worika, the administrator emphasized the critical timing of their research given the state’s security situation that necessitated federal intervention.
In a statement issued by his media aide Hector Igbikiowubo, Ibas highlighted the devastating impact of insecurity on economic productivity and investment.
“It disturbs our utmost conviction that those who provide human capital that fuels insecurity in urban and remote areas include, of course, our rural populace,” Ibas stated.
“Hence, any study channeled towards harvesting grassroots intelligence is worth embarking on, as internal security without proper feedback mechanisms will be an illusion to be pursued but cannot be attained.”
The retired naval officer urged the participants to ensure their interactions with security agencies yield practical strategies rather than remaining academic exercises. He expressed confidence their findings would contribute to both military scholarship and operational frameworks for a safer Rivers State.
Team leader Commodore S.O. Abdularaheen explained that his group was one of nine teams conducting nationwide studies under the theme: “Harnessing Grassroots Intelligence for Enhanced Internal Security.”
“Our findings will be compiled into a research paper for the college, with recommendations expected to be adopted by relevant government agencies for implementation,” Abdularaheen said.
