The Publisher of First Daily, Dr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, has called for practical, intelligence-driven reforms to tackle Nigeria’s worsening security challenges, urging stakeholders to move beyond rhetoric and embrace actionable solutions capable of restoring peace and stability across the country.
Speaking in his welcome address at the 6th Annual First Daily National Public Lecture Series held on Tuesday at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja, Iworiso-Markson said the dialogue was designed to serve as a national platform for practical conversations that would produce workable solutions to Nigeria’s security crisis.
The event, themed “Declaration of State of Emergency on Security: Matching Words with Action,” brought together senior government officials, security experts, political leaders, members of the diplomatic community, captains of industry, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to deliberate on the country’s security architecture.
Welcoming participants, the publisher said the gathering was more than another public lecture, describing it as an opportunity to share ideas, challenge existing perspectives and chart a new course for addressing insecurity.
He noted that the First Daily Annual National Public Lecture Series had earned a reputation for promoting transformative ideas and paradigm-shifting conversations capable of advancing national development.
According to him, Nigeria’s security system must evolve into a technology-driven and intelligence-based structure capable of tracking, arresting and prosecuting armed militias, terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and their collaborators.
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“This isn’t just a time to attend another talk shop; it’s a time to share ideas, discover new perspectives and chart the way forward for Nigeria’s security,” he said.
“Now is the time to transform the country’s security system into a technologically driven, intelligence-based operation capable of tracking, arresting and prosecuting armed militias, terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and their collaborators.”
Iworiso-Markson stressed that the national dialogue was intentionally designed as a non-partisan platform where stakeholders from different sectors could engage in frank, practical and solution-driven discussions on the nation’s security challenges.
He encouraged participants to actively contribute to the discussions, ask questions and share ideas that could influence public policy and save lives.
“I urge you to enjoy the sessions, ask questions, join the discussions and be proud of the contributions you bring to this dialogue. You never know whose life your ideas might be saving,” he said.
The publisher also expressed appreciation to the distinguished guests, speakers and participants for honouring the invitation despite their demanding schedules, expressing confidence that their contributions would enrich the conversations and advance efforts toward building a safer Nigeria.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that the outcomes of the dialogue translate into meaningful actions capable of addressing the country’s persistent security threats.
“Let us make this national dialogue on security memorable for all the right reasons,” he said.
The First Daily National Public Lecture Series has become an annual platform for engaging policymakers, security experts and key stakeholders on issues of national importance, with this year’s edition focusing on practical strategies for confronting Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.