By Augustine Ehikioya
The Africa Security Watch, International Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, Mr Patrick Agbambu, on Monday decried the incidences of insecurity ravaging over 70 percent of countries in the Africa continent.
According to him, the situation has made many citizens to continue to live in fear and poverty while the continent has remained underdeveloped.
He spoke in Abuja during the media briefing for the forthcoming 18th edition of the Africa Security Watch Awards and Conference, billed for Doha, Qatar from 10th to 12th of December, 2024.
The International Coordinator said “Over the years, our continent, Africa, has been grappling with myriad problems, and these problems emanate from lack of peace and insecurity in over seventy per cent (70%) of the continent.
“With more than half of Africa engulfed in several degrees of insecurity, the continent will remain under-developed with many citizens living in fear and poverty.
“Having the above in mind and for Africa to experience peace and security, we have aptly couched the theme of the 18th Africa Security Watch Awards & Conference as ‘Developing Module for People-Centric Governance towards Enhancement of Peace and Security in Africa’.
“We have equally carefully selected knowledgeable personalities as Keynote Speakers, Lead Paper Presenters, and Speakers on various topics from across the continent and beyond to deliver practical lessons. The Rapporteur for this important Conference is a man full of wisdom and knowledge, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (Retired).”
The Awards part, which is the climax of the event, he noted, has in the past twenty (20) years served as a motivating tonic for improved productivity and efficiency for the security and safety sector in Africa.
He said many distinguished personalities and organizations have been recognised and honoured over the years.
Agbambu said “At Security Watch Africa Initiatives, we see and treat security as anything that threatens lives and valuables. This is reflected in our Awards categories. We recognise and honour those in the leadership, governance, armed forces, police, medicals, media, hospitality, transportation, and humanity.”
For this 18th Edition coming up in December, he said, 30 Crystal Award Trophies will be given out to deserving winners across Africa.
Explaining the reason behind the choice of Qatar as the host country, he said “This is a country that values humanity and makes an effort to add value to lives. They demonstrate that the most valuable asset of a society is the human being.
“So, we want to let our people learn one or more ways to do things. We are concluding discussions to get one of their top officials of government and security to interact with participants.
“Most essentially, the event will once again be an opportunity to showcase Africa’s best to a larger audience.” he added.
Unveiling the venue, he said “We are glad to announce that this 18th Edition of the Africa Security Watch Awards & Conference will be held on 10th – 12th December 2024 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha, Qatar
“It promises to once again be authentic, authoritative, transparent, rewarding, and glamorous. Join us to seek and proffer actionable solutions to our peace and security challenge and together celebrate Africa’s best” he stated
Answering question on the impact of the past awards on the awardees, Mr Agbambu said it has motivated many recipients including troops to do more in their fields.
Speaking on why the choice of the theme of the edition, he said, the society will be a better place if governments can start thinking more about the people.
Also speaking at the media briefing, a member of the Board of Trustees, Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), said the choice of Qatar was both symbolic and practical.
This year’s edition, he said, is so unique as in-depth research has already been carried out.
Noting that security cannot be divorced from development, he said, quite a number of experts have been lined up for the event.
Qatar, he said, exemplifies a country that places immense value on humanity and consistently striving to improve the quality of life of its people.
“We believe that participants will experience the best practices in that country, and through this experience, we can learn invaluable lessons that can be applied in Africa.
“In addition, we are bringing some of Qatar’s senior government and security officials to engage with our participants and share insights on their approach to security and governance.
“Most importantly, this event will once again provide a platform to showcase Africa’s finest to a global audience,
“We want to showcase the best in Africa to the world and not that Africa is all about hunger and catastrophe. We are carrying the Africa story to the world stage.” he stated.
Making remarks at the press conference, the Pastor of Chukwuma Nwokocha Ministry and past awardee, Pastor Chukwuma Nwokocha, said that he believed that the coming edition is going to be the best edition in comparison to the past editions.
According to him, the December Awards and Conference in Doha will be very different from the past editions.
He stressed that whoever is going to be awarded in December really merited it.
On the impact of his past award on him, Pastor Nwaokocha said it has spurred him to do more in his ministry.
According to the programme for December Awards and Conference, the Keynote Speakers included someone in Qatar to be confirmed by Qatar, Professor Henri’ Fouche’, Emeritus Professor and Vice Chair, BOT, SWAI, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Executive Governor, Borno State.
Other keynote speakers are Honourable Abdoulie Sanyang, Minister of Interior, Republic of The Gambia and Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (Rtd), Former Chief of Naval Staff, Nigerian Navy.
The Lead Speaker is General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, Armed Forces of Nigeria on the topic: Nexus Between Citizens’ Socio-Economic Development and National Defence.
Others are Mr. Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, Executive Governor, Lagos State, Nigeria on the topic: Developing Module for People-Centric Governance Towards Enhancement of Peace and Security – The Lagos State Experience
Paper Presenters at the event include Captain (SA Navy) Mark Blaine, Director, SIGLA, Stellenbosch University, South Africa on the topic: Developing a Viable Blue Economy for National Economic Growth in Africa, Brigadier Leon Duplessis on the topic: Emplacement of People-Oriented Policing for Security and Development in Africa
Others are Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army on the topic: Tackling Terrorism and Insurgency through Non-Kinetic Operations – The Nigerian Experience, Ms Toral Vadgama, Deputy Head – Global Maritime Crime Programme, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Kenya on the topic: Tackling Violent Crimes through Effective Policing of the Sea
Discussants include Brigadier General John Waweru (Rtd), Nigerian Army, and Professor Barend Princloo and Nigerian Navy.
