The Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima, has called for the formation of global alliances to tackle the crises caused by external aggressions and internal threats.
Shettima made the call on Saturday at the graduation ceremony of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 16, 2023 of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS) in Abuja.
He said that Nigeria and other countries face the challenge of protecting their citizens from transnational crimes such as terrorism, climate change and cybercrime, among other global threats.
He commended the graduates of NISS for being equipped with the necessary knowledge to combat the threats and keep the continent stable.
The Vice President noted that cutting-edge information and new ideas are required for Nigeria and its neighbours to secure their country from challenges both within and outside their borders.
“Every part of the world today has been working around the clock to form alliances to stop external aggressions and forge solutions to domestic threats. This practical approach is crucial to tame crises and drive stability.
“However, none of these aspirations can be realized without the stewardship of trained minds at the helm of institutions tasked with the solemn duty of making decisions to safeguard lives, defend properties, and preserve peace. This is why we are here”, he said.
Shettima urged the graduates to apply the knowledge and skills they acquired from NISS to their respective fields of service and contribute to the national security and development of Nigeria.
He also congratulated NISS for successfully conducting the course despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and assured the institute of the government’s continued support and collaboration.
The Director-General of NISS, Dr. Ayodele Adeleke, said that the course was designed to enhance the capacity of senior security and intelligence officers in the areas of strategic thinking, analysis, planning and management.
He said that the course participants, drawn from various security and intelligence agencies, ministries, departments, and agencies, as well as the private sector, underwent rigorous academic and practical training for 11 months.
He said that the course covered topics such as national security strategy, intelligence analysis, counter-terrorism, cyber security, conflict resolution, leadership, and ethics, among others.
He said that the course also involved study tours to some foreign countries, such as China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Russia, South Africa, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and United Kingdom, to learn from their best practices and experiences.
He thanked the Vice President for gracing the occasion and for his unwavering support and encouragement to NISS.
He also thanked the faculty, staff, and partners of NISS for their dedication and professionalism in delivering the course.
He urged the graduates to uphold the values and standards of NISS and to be ambassadors of the institute in their respective domains.
The best graduating student of the course, Mr. Olusegun Oluwole, who spoke on behalf of the graduates, expressed gratitude to NISS for the opportunity and privilege to participate in the course.
He said that the course was a life-changing experience that broadened their horizons and enriched their perspectives on security and intelligence matters.
He pledged that the graduates would utilize the knowledge and skills they gained from NISS to serve the nation and humanity with integrity and excellence.
