OpenLife Summit: Experts Gather to Tackle Nigeria’s Security Challenges, Boost Economic Growth
The maiden edition of the OpenLife Annual Summit held recently at the Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, brought together stakeholders from various fields to deliberate on Nigeria’s security situation and its impact on economic growth.
The summit, themed “Creating Enabling Environment for Economic Growth Through Strategic Tackling of Insecurity,” featured prominent speakers, including the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogallah, represented by Rear Admiral Mustapha Balat Hassan; Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, represented by Apapa Area Commander of NCS, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu; Senator Akin Odunsi; and Professor Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Political Science Department, Lagos State University.
In his welcome address, the publisher of OpenLife magazine and convener of the OpenLife Summit, Idumonza Isidahomhen, emphasized the need for effective tackling of Nigeria’s insecurity to enhance economic growth.
He assured that the summit’s recommendations would be sent to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and other relevant authorities for implementation.
Senator Akin Odunsi, chairman of the occasion, described the summit as timely and appropriate, given the severity of Nigeria’s security challenges.
He expressed optimism that the discourse would yield quality insights to help the government manage and subdue the issue of insecurity.
Professor Sylvester Odion Akhaine delivered a lecture titled “Insecurity and the National Economy,” highlighting the nexus between insecurity and the worsening economy.
He emphasized that Nigeria has the natural resources and demographic capital to solve its problems but lacks patriotic leadership and commitment to security values.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, represented by Apapa Area Commander of NCS, Comptroller Babatunde Olomu, spoke about the role of customs in the economic diversification agenda of the federal government.
He disclosed various initiatives implemented by Nigeria customs aimed at facilitating legitimate trade and suppressing smuggling.
Rear Admiral Mustapha Balat Hassan, representing the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogallah, stated that the summit provided a platform for crucial discussions on national security and economic growth.
He highlighted the Nigerian Navy’s efforts in combating maritime security challenges, including oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and piracy.
The summit underscored the importance of commitment to security values and the presence of patriotic social forces in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges and boosting economic growth.
