SECURITY CHALLENGES, ACHIEVEMENT OF SDGs FORM TOPICAL ISSUES OF DISCUSSION AT THE 2021 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT SCIENCES
By Ikenna Nwokedi, PhD
The nexus between Security Challenge and attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been described as an unenviable predicament of under development in Sub-Saharan Africa. These were the remarks by UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, FAS, FPSN during his welcome address at the opening ceremony of the 2021 International Conference of the Faculty of Management Sciences held at the ASUU Secretariat on Wednesday.
Prof. Esimone opined that the SDGs which is also known as the Global Goals were adopted in 2015 by the United Nations with a view to ending poverty, protecting the planet and ensuring that by 2030 all people of the world enjoy peace and prosperity. The UNIZIK Chief Executive stated that the miasma of security challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa is threatening the attainment of the SDGs which calls for urgent action to address this challenges for the realization of the set goals.
In his reaction, the Chairman of the occasion and former Chief of Defence Staff, Nigerian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Alexander Ogomudia (rtd) stated that the theme of the conference ‘ Security Challenge and Achievement of Sustainable Development Goals in Sub-Saharan Africa’ is apt as the conference serves as an interface in terms of suggesting solutions to the problems of insecurity in the country, discussing security challenges and how it affects development. Lt. Gen. Ogomudia emphasized that Security is symbiotic with growth and a good economic growth. The retired Army General thanked UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor and the Dean of Management Sciences for the conference which has led to creation of awareness and understanding of the role of security to sustainable development.
Delivering his lecture, the lead paper presenter, Maj. Gen. Obi Umahi (rtd), gave a conceptual clarifications on security and SDGs mirroring development based on security situations of various climes. The former Commander, 81 Division, Nigerian Army stated that security and development are interrelated and play a critical role in the process of national growth and societal development. The retired military Chief pointed out that United Nations SDGs also known as Global Goals is a 17-point programme of action aimed at achieving decent lives for all on a healthy planet by 2030 and also designed to end poverty, hunger, AIDS and discrimination against women and girls. Umahi harped on the effect of terrorism as an albatross to national growth while stating the role of the military in curbing the menace and the challenges inherent.
Umahi also emphasized that bad governance, corruption, issues concerning ethnicity and religion are other factors affecting national growth and suggested that there is need for urgent security sector reform as a way to enhance the fight against insurgency and insecurity. Umahi highlighted key elements of good governance as accountability, transparency, combating corruption, efficient private sector, tolerance, religious peaceful coexistence, citizen participation and enabling legal/judicial framework as some key variables that will lead to national growth and steming the tide of insecurity.
In her address, the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Lilian Orogbu described the theme of the conference as germane especially at a time we live in, not just in Nigeria but the world at large. The Professor of Business Administration opined that there is need to develop new approach towards understanding the prevailing level of security in Africa. The scholar emphasized that the current state of insecurity in most African countries is a manifestation of deep-rooted and structural entrenched crises of development that creates the environment for emergence of poverty, unemployment and inequality in the countries within Sub-Saharan Africa. She concluded by stating that the conference brings together scholars, entrepreneurs, professionals and researchers of various higher educational cum research institutions who are actively engaged in finding solution to the burning issues centred on insecurity.
Dignitaries present at the occasion were the Royal Father of the day, Igwe Alfred Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha and Chairman Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council; representative of the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and the member representing Aguata Federal Constituency, House of Representatives, the Rt. Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji.
