The Chairman of the Middle Belt Brain Trust (MBBT) and former Chief of Defence Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai, has noted that there are more internal crises occurring in many nations worldwide than external aggressor battles.
Speaking at a two-day conflict sensitivity training for local government chairmen and top local government officials in Pankshin, Plateau State, the former Chief of Defence Staff emphasized the need to assign competent leadership to different branches of government to prevent such crises from escalating. He added that leadership plays a crucial role in achieving peaceful coexistence in communities.
The general identified some causes of conflicts, blaming the tendency of people to imitate what they see on social media.
“The world has become a global village. People can view developments from everywhere through social media, and this has brought challenges.
“One of the security challenges posed by social media is the copycat syndrome, where people tend to replicate what they see happening in other places,” he said.
General Agwai stated that internal distress has become so alarming that even developed countries like the United States are struggling with it.
“In the past, the focus was on fighting other countries, but now the major challenges are internal. Many nations have destroyed what they built with their own hands, resulting in internally displaced persons,” he said.
He stressed that security is essential for development, as both go hand in hand, and urged local government chairmen to prioritise both.
According to him, they are fundamental to providing the right leadership.
To ensure peaceful coexistence, he advised leaders to uphold equity, fairness, and inclusivity, noting that the cost of maintaining peace is far lower than the cost of resolving conflicts.
He urged local government chairmen to demonstrate leadership at all times and delegate responsibilities when necessary.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Veritas University, Prof. Mike Kwanashie, who served as one of the resource persons at the workshop, emphasized the need for leaders at all levels to adopt new strategies to prevent conflicts and ensure the security of lives and property.
He noted that Nigerian leaders have repeatedly made the same mistakes over the years. He added that having effective and autonomous local government leaders would help prevent much of the ongoing crises and advised them to develop empathy for the people they govern.
He further stated that local government chairmen in Plateau State are crucial to peace and security in Nigeria, as the Middle Belt holds the key to the country’s survival, with some states playing particularly vital roles.
Director General of the Plateau Peace Building Agency, Julie G. Sanda, highlighted the importance of training local government officials in conflict sensitivity, stating that it would enhance their capacity to manage conflict situations effectively.
The training was attended by all local government chairmen in Plateau State, along with top LGA staff, including secretaries to local governments, supervisory councillors, and heads of departments.
