By Sylvia Akpan, Government House Correspondent
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 32 participants from the National Defence College, Abuja who are on a national study tour aimed at generating viable ideas for strengthening national unity and cohesion.
Otu said the plea has become imperative as the security of the citizens 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,” the Governor 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 using its rich cultural heritage in fostering 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, informed that the team is in Cross River for a national study tour to acquaint participants with the socio-political environment of Nigeria.
According to Muye, who is also the Director, of the Department of Curriculum and Program Development of the College, participants at the end of the tour would present their findings, highlighting the peculiarities of Cross River based on firsthand information.
He explained that the College, presently designated as the ECOWAS Training Centre of Excellence for Peace and Conflict Studies, since inception in 1992, has trained 2, 758 participants, pointing out that course 32 comprises 109 trainees, including 19 international participants from Brazil, India, Bangladesh, amongst others.
Furthermore, he explained that 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.
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