By Paul Joseph
Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (retd.), has called for stronger leadership, responsible citizenship and closer collaboration between government and civil society organisations to advance Nigeria’s development.
Musa made the call on Friday in Abuja while serving as Chairman of the 4th Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference and Awards 2026, organised by the National Council for Civil Society Organisations (NACCSO) in partnership with the Vision-One Leadership Development Initiative (VOLDI).
The conference, held at the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Asokoro, was part of activities marking Nigeria’s 66th Independence anniversary.
The high-profile gathering attracted senior government officials, security and regulatory chiefs, lawmakers, civil society leaders, community representatives and youth advocates.
Among the distinguished personalities at the occasion were Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Force Criminal Investigation Department, DIG Margaret Ochalla; Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo; Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Mrs. Zubaida Umar; Director-General/CEO of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale A. Adedokun, FCIPS; and Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu.
Others included the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, CC Christopher Peter Jem; Member of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly for Essien Udim State Constituency, Hon. Prince Ukpong Akpabio II; and Chairman of Arise with Renewed Hope Initiative, Dr. Tommy Etim Okon.
Also present as guest speakers were Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG Ifeanyi Uche, and Commander of the NSCDC Mining Marshals, Commander John Attah Onoja.
The event also recognised youth participation in nation-building, with Zaka Nehemiah, Co-Chair of the Youth Lead Organisation on Development, Peace and Security, identified as a “Future Leader and Hope of the Nation.”
Speaking on the theme, “Promoting Excellence in Nation Building,” the Defence Minister, who was represented at the event, said nation-building was a collective responsibility that could not be left to the government alone.
He said the quality of leadership, citizenship and service at different levels of society would play a significant role in determining the country’s development.
Musa commended NACCSO and VOLDI for sustaining the annual conference, describing it as an avenue for Nigerians to reflect on the responsibilities associated with nation-building.
He noted that nation-building goes beyond government offices in Abuja, stressing that communities, institutions, workplaces and homes all have important roles to play in strengthening the country’s social fabric.
According to him, national security and nation-building are closely linked because citizens require safety and protection to effectively contribute to economic and social development.
He said the role of the Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces should therefore be viewed as part of the wider national effort to create conditions where Nigerians can live, work, invest and educate their children in safety.
The minister also stressed the importance of government-civil society partnerships, noting that civil society organisations often have closer contact with communities and can help identify emerging tensions, mediate disputes and support efforts to prevent conflicts.
Musa further commended initiatives aimed at sensitising Nigerians against electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He urged political actors, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and citizens to promote tolerance, responsible political participation and respect for the rule of law.
He said peaceful elections were a shared responsibility and essential to democratic stability.
Musa subsequently declared the 4th Nigerian Nation Builders Annual Conference and Awards 2026 open.
Also speaking, the Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Peter Jem, disclosed that about 168 inmates had been enrolled in various skills acquisition programmes across correctional facilities in the Federal Capital Territory.
Jem said the initiative was aimed at equipping inmates with practical skills that could support their reintegration into society and reduce the risk of returning to crime after release.
He said the programme reflected efforts to combine correctional rehabilitation with empowerment and productive engagement.
The Controller commended NACCSO and VOLDI for their contributions to nation-building.
Commander John Attah Onoja, Commander of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Mining Marshals, also highlighted measures being implemented to strengthen enforcement and accountability in Nigeria’s mining sector.
Onoja said the Mining Marshals, inaugurated in March 2024, were established to strengthen security and enforcement in the mining sector while supporting the formalisation of mining operations.
He said the corps had restored more than 100 mining sites to their legitimate owners and filed several cases relating to illegal mining offences.
Onoja also called for greater value addition in Nigeria’s solid minerals sector, stressing the need to process more minerals locally rather than exporting them in raw form.
Najomo receives Nation Builder Award
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, Capt. Chris Ona Najomo, received a Nation Builder Award for his contributions to aviation safety regulation and industry growth.
Najomo, represented at the event, said effective safety oversight, regulatory compliance and adherence to international standards were essential to the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
He said the award should not be viewed as a personal achievement alone, but as recognition of the collective work of NCAA management and staff, as well as other stakeholders in the aviation sector.
The NCAA boss also highlighted Nigeria’s 2026 ICAO Coordinated Validation Mission, which, according to him, resulted in the country recording a 91.3 per cent effective implementation score in the assessment of its aviation safety oversight system.
He said the result reflected efforts to strengthen the regulatory framework and address identified deficiencies, while stressing that the achievement also placed greater responsibility on the authority to sustain the progress.
The conference provided a platform for discussions on leadership, civic responsibility, security, youth development and national development, while also recognising individuals and institutions whose activities contribute to nation-building.
The organisers said the annual gathering was designed to encourage greater commitment to responsible citizenship, leadership, public service and the development of stronger national institutions.
Leave a Reply