Course 32 badge National Defence College on study tour of Cross River; Otu wants increased security, commend military

The Executive Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Edet Otu, has sought increased security presence for a more secure State.

He made the appeal at Dan Archibong’s Lodge where he received Course 32 participants from the National Defence College, Abuja who are on a national study tour to generate viable ideas for strengthening national unity and cohesion.

He said the plea is apt to address the growing insecurity in the state as he is committed to the security of the people which remains the core of his administration.

“With the peculiar topography of Cross River State, we need more security personnel. From the creeks of Bakassi to the hills of Obanliku, we need a strengthened security architecture in order to weed out any form of crime and criminality in the state,” Otu said.

Applauding the theme for the study tour, ‘Strengthening national unity for security and development in Nigeria: An appraisal of efforts of Cross River State,’ the governor described it as important, noting that over the years, Cross River has been leveraging on its rich cultural heritage to foster national unity and peaceful coexistence.

Additionally, he lauded the military for their dexterity.

“These are men who put their lives in harm’s way to defend the territorial integrity of the country, and maintain the peace and stability of the nation.”

The team lead, Commodore Mohammed Adamu Muye, said that the team is in Cross River for a national study tour to acquaint participants of the socio-political environment in Nigeria.

According to Muye, who is the Director, Department of Curriculum and Program Development of the College, participants are expected to present their findings at the end of the tour, highlighting the peculiarities of Cross River based on firsthand knowledge.

He explained that the College, presently designated as the ECOWAS Training Centre of Excellence for Peace and Conflict Studies has since inception in 1992, trained 2, 758 participants, pointing out that course 32 comprises 109 trainees, including 19 international trainees from Brazil, India, Bangladesh, among others.

Muye said the team will also cover Taraba, Ebonyi, Adamawa, Kano, and Kwara States as part of the national study tour aimed at generating viable ideas for strengthening national unity and cohesion.

By: Archibong Emmanuel
(Snr. Reporter)