CALABAR – A group of June-born indigenes of and residents in Cross River state has launched a security initiative aimed at fostering national peace, declaring that safeguarding the nation is not the exclusive responsibility of security agencies but a collective duty of all citizens NEGROIDHAVEN has garnered.
The maiden “Made in June” Security Summit and Medical Outreach, held on Saturday at the College of Health Sciences Management and Technology, Calabar, brought together security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, students, and other stakeholders under the theme “Securing Nigeria Together: A Cross River State Initiative for National Peace.”
In a keynote address, the Coordinator of the initiative, Rev. Dr. Adat Adat Obona, declared that the gathering was “a call to patriotism, national responsibility, community service, and collective action.”
“Our gathering today goes far beyond celebrating those born in the month of June,” he said. “It is a call to patriotism, national responsibility, community service, and collective action.”
He stressed that security is not the exclusive responsibility of the Armed Forces, the Police, or other security agencies.
“Rather, security is everyone’s responsibility. It begins with vigilance, integrity, mutual trust, respect for the rule of law, and our willingness to protect one another irrespective of tribe, religion, ethnicity, or political affiliation,” Dr. Obona stated.
He noted that Nigeria continues to grapple with serious security challenges, including terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, cultism, cybercrime, communal conflicts, drug abuse, and youth restiveness. These challenges, he said, “cannot be overcome by government alone” but require the collective commitment of educational institutions, traditional rulers, religious leaders, healthcare professionals, community-based organisations, civil society, and every patriotic Nigerian.
The sub-theme of the summit, “Building Bridges, Strengthening Communities, and Forging a Safer Nation,” further challenged participants to “choose unity over division, dialogue over violence, cooperation over suspicion, and love over hatred.”
In a paper delivered at the summit titled “Complementary Reflection and the Quest for National Security in Nigeria: Building Bridges for Sustainable Peace through an Ibuanyidanda Framework,” Dr. Efio-Ita Nyok an alumnus of Institute of Security and Forensic Studies Nigeria (SFSN), Abuja argued that Nigeria’s persistent insecurity is fundamentally a crisis of broken relationships and weakened social solidarity.
He proposed a “complementary security architecture” rooted in shared responsibility and community participation, contending that insecurity stems largely from fractured social relationships, exclusion, and the failure to appreciate every person as a “missing link” in the pursuit of the common good.
“Sustainable national security depends on recognising the interconnectedness of citizens, institutions, and communities,” Dr. Nyok stated, calling for a shift from “government security” to “collective security.”
The event also featured a free medical outreach offering medical consultations, health screenings, counseling, and wellness awareness. Organisers described security and health as “the two indispensable pillars upon which every peaceful and prosperous nation rests.”
Dr. Obona, who also celebrated his birthday at the event, expressed appreciation to the Management of the College of Health Sciences Management and Technology, resource persons, security agencies, healthcare professionals, sponsors, partners, and volunteers whose contributions made the event a reality.
He urged participants to become “agents of peace, advocates of healthy living, and ambassadors of positive change” in their homes, workplaces, institutions, and communities.
“Let us remember that peace is everyone’s responsibility. Security begins with each one of us. Good health is our greatest wealth,” Dr. Obona declared.
“Together, we can build stronger communities. Together, we can secure our nation. Together, we can create a healthier, safer, and more prosperous Nigeria for this generation and generations yet unborn.”
