Conflict Prevention: CISLAC, NSCDC Tighten Collaboration on Early Warning Signals
The Executive Director of Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC)/Transparency International in Nigeria (TI-Nigeria), Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani) has called for proactive response systems by relevant stakeholders to early warning signals in conflict de-escalation at all levels in Nigeria.
Represented by Senior Program Officer (Defence and Security), CISLAC, Ms. Bertha Elohim Ogbimi, during a courtesy visit to Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Lagos State Command, the Executive Director stressed the need for more collaboration to facilitate timely and verifiable information sharing among organisations and individuals working to advance peace and security in the country.
He said: “Conflict prevention is possible, only if stakeholders and policymakers are sensitive and responsive to early conflict indicators.
“In this regard, early warning, and early response systems are critical elements that serve as the basis for peacebuilding.
“Response systems are needed at all levels of society from small communities, up to the national level.”
Expressing concerns over the rising insecurity, Rafsanjani noted that weak intelligence gathering and absence of citizens involvement have exposed the country to alarming human development indices, insurgency, banditry and secessionist agitation with resultant killing and maiming of thousands as well as destruction of properties.
He observed the absence of early warning and early response mechanisms in various interventions by the government proposing safety and security initiatives, while calling for institutionalised platforms that engender community participation and inclusion in the security decision making process.
According to him, effort to bridge the gaps in Early Warning reporting brought to the fore, the ongoing project with specific focus on ‘Strengthening Capacity, Advocacy, Accountability and Local Engagement towards Developing Early Warning and Early Response Mechanisms to Enhance Protection of Civilians in Nigeria’, implemented by CISLAC/TI-Nigeria with support from The Open Society Foundations Africa (OSF-Africa).
“We are not government, but as Civil Society, we are duty-bound to complement the effort of security agencies in promoting sustainable peace and security in the country.
“We will be doing this by building a well-informed and vibrant Early Warning Community Observers to monitor and report indicators as a vehicle in conflict prevention,” he added.
Reacting to the visit, the State Commandant, NSCDC, Comdt. Usman I. Alfadarai, said community involvement and participation in conflict de-escalation would be a critical point of collaboration between CISLAC and the Agency.
According to the State Commandant, while eye-witness accounts have failed in Early Warning and Early Response process, more coordinated and reliable mechanisms in Early Warning reporting systems like the institutionalised Community Observers would without doubt complement the effort of security agencies in conflict prevention.
Assuring of the agency’s readiness to enhance collaboration with CISLAC/TI-Nigeria in the area of Early Response to Early Warning signals, Comdt. Alfadarai commended the uniqueness of the project targeted specifically at an inclusive approach to civilian protection.
He however, warned that the security situation in the country appeared to be failing for limited capacity and poor value system upheld at various levels in the society.
“The major challenge to security is the value system encouraged and supported at household, family and community levels.
“Nigerians have developed an attitude of non-compliance and compromise backed by a poor value system.
“Those who maintain strong values are wrongly accused and castigated, while those with poor values are commended and celebrated.
“We must embrace right values by discouraging ill-gotten wealth, desperation, compromise and favouritism.
“Nigeria has the capacity but lacks the will to implement positive values.
“It takes the right values to harness and distribute resources equitably,” the State Commandant reiterated.
