The National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Monday in Kaduna spearheaded a town hall meeting, advocating for strengthened security and empowerment for enhanced national development

The meeting brought together various stakeholders and had the theme, “Addressing Sectarian Conflict, Banditry and Kidnapping: Building a United and Secure Kaduna.”

The state director of NOA, Danjuma Makama, emphasised the importance of collective action to address insecurity, division, and underdevelopment.

Mr Makama explained that the meeting aimed to foster stakeholder dialogue and partnership to find sustainable solutions to sectarian conflict, banditry, and youth restiveness.

He added that the campaign focused on building long-lasting partnerships and promoting practical interventions to restore trust, strengthen relationships, and promote peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.

The director expressed optimism that the meeting would yield actionable strategies for a peaceful and united nation.

Also, the North-West zonal director of the agency, Hamisu Mayere, acknowledged Kaduna’s past sectarian conflicts.

He credited concerted efforts by governments and stakeholders for the state’s two decades of sustainable peace.

Mr Mayere, therefore, urged the participants to engage in fruitful discussions to address security challenges like insurgency, banditry, and youth restiveness, promoting peace, security, and development in Kaduna and Nigeria.

He said the resolutions would be forwarded to the national security adviser and other relevant bodies for implementation.

One of the stakeholders, the chief of Kufana (Agwom Kufana), Titus Dauda, emphasised the importance of articulating problems honestly and engaging with various agencies to find solutions.

Kauwa Baffa-Yola, the assistant state commander of administration and logistics of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kaduna Command, stressed the need for collaboration between security agencies, community leaders, and individuals to address drug issues.

Also, John Sunday from Interfaith Mediation Centre, Kaduna, emphasised that job creation was key to addressing insecurity and kidnapping in Nigeria.

He added that Kaduna State had industries that provided jobs and stability in the past, but decried that they had now folded up due to government policies and infrastructure challenges, such as power outages.

Mr Sunday urged the government to be intentional about creating productive jobs and providing an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.

The stakeholders in the meeting cut across representatives from military and paramilitary organisations, traditional, religious and youth leaders, women leaders and students, among others.

They advocated for strengthened security and peacebuilding, national cohesion and identity promotion, youth engagement and empowerment, inclusive governance and justice, community-driven solutions, and stakeholder collaboration.

(NAN)