The South-East must enjoy lasting peace and security for investment, businesses and industries to thrive, Defence Minister Gen. Christopher Gwabin Musa(Rtd) has said.
Musa stated this while declaring open the maiden South-East Security Summit in Umuahia, Abia State, organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East).
The minister said the South-East remains one of Nigeria’s strongest economic regions, noting that its entrepreneurial culture, industrial capacity, creativity and human resources have continued to contribute to national development.
“The South-East occupies a unique place in Nigeria’s development. Its entrepreneurial spirit, industrial enterprise, innovation, creativity, and immense human capital have long been among the driving forces of our nation’s economic progress,” he said.
He stressed that the region’s economic potential can only be fully realised in a peaceful environment.
“To sustain and expand these strengths, the region must enjoy an atmosphere of peace and security. Security is the foundation upon which investment grows, businesses flourish, industries expand, jobs are created, and communities prosper. Without it, economic progress is constrained and development is inevitably slowed,” Musa said.
Speaking on the summit, themed “Strengthening Community Resilience for Enhanced National Security,” the Defence Minister said the gathering was designed to promote closer cooperation between security agencies and local communities in tackling security challenges across the South-East.
He described the summit as a new step in strengthening public participation in security efforts, saying lasting peace requires the involvement of the people.
“As the first of its kind, this initiative marked a deliberate shift towards a more collaborative approach to addressing the region’s security challenges. Sustainable peace cannot be built by security agencies alone; it must also be shaped by the voices, experiences, and active participation of the people themselves,” he said.
Musa added, “That was why we came together to listen, deliberate, understand local realities, and work with critical stakeholders to develop practical, community-driven solutions.”
The minister said the attendance of traditional rulers, religious leaders, senior security officials, community leaders, youth and women groups, civil society organisations and other stakeholders reflected a shared commitment to strengthening stability across the region.
He noted that the summit came shortly after his visit to Abia State to honour Nigeria’s first Military Head of State, Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, saying both engagements reinforced efforts to build a united, peaceful and secure country.
Musa reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting lives and property under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“The Federal Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, GCFR, remains resolute in its commitment to strengthen national security, protect every Nigerian, and create the conditions for sustainable peace and prosperity,” he said.
He thanked Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti for hosting the summit and appreciated the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East), alongside other stakeholders, for supporting the programme.
Musa also expressed gratitude to the people of the South-East for their warm reception and support for the vision of peace, security and development.