18th Africa Security Watch Awards & Conference, Qatar: CDS General Musa, Gov. Zulum, Gov. Sanwo Olu, Others to Deliver Papers as over 70% of the Continent Grapple with Terrorism, Insecurity., Violent Extremism.

The Africa Security Watch, International Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of Africa Security Watch International, Mr Patrick Agbambu, on Monday raised alarm over the increasing spread of security challenges iIn Africa particularly terrorism and violent extremism noting that over 70 percent of countries in the continent are facing the plague

According to him, the situation has made many citizens to continue to live in fear and poverty while the continent has remained underdeveloped.

The International Coordinator said “Over the years, our continent, Africa, has been grappling with myriad problems, and these problems emanate from lack of peace and insecurity in over seventy per cent (70%) of the continent.

“With more than half of Africa engulfed in several degrees of insecurity, the continent will remain under-developed with many citizens living in fear and poverty.

“Having the above in mind and for Africa to experience peace and security, we have aptly couched the theme of the 18th Africa Security Watch Awards & Conference as ‘Developing Module for People-Centric Governance towards Enhancement of Peace and Security in Africa’.

“We have equally carefully selected knowledgeable personalities as Keynote Speakers, Lead Paper Presenters, and Speakers on various topics from across the continent and beyond to deliver practical lessons.

The Rapporteur for this important Conference is a man full of wisdom and knowledge, Brigadier General Sani Kukasheka Usman (Retired).”

He disclosed that the Awards part, which is the climax of the event has in the past twenty (20) years served as a motivating tonic for improved productivity and efficiency for the security and safety sector in Africa.

Agbambu said “At Security Watch Africa Initiatives, we see and treat security as anything that threatens lives and valuables. This is reflected in our Awards categories. We recognise and honour those in the leadership, governance, armed forces, police, medicals, media, hospitality, transportation, and humanity.”

For this 18th Edition coming up in December, he said, 30 Crystal Award Trophies will be given out to deserving winners across Africa.

Explaining the reason behind the choice of Qatar as the host country, he said “This is a country that values humanity and makes an effort to add value to lives. They demonstrate that the most valuable asset of a society is the human being.

“So, we want to let our people learn one or more ways to do things. We are concluding discussions to get one of their top officials of government and security to interact with participants.

“Most essentially, the event will once again be an opportunity to showcase Africa’s best to a larger audience.” he added.

Unveiling the venue, he said “We are glad to announce that this 18th Edition of the Africa Security Watch Awards & Conference will be held on 10th – 12th December 2024 at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha, Qatar

“It promises to once again be authentic, authoritative, transparent, rewarding, and glamorous. Join us to seek and proffer actionable solutions to our peace and security challenge and together celebrate Africa’s best” he stated

Speaking on the choice of the theme of the edition, he said, the society will be a better place if governments can start thinking more about the people.

In his remarks, the Pastor of Chukwuma Nwokocha Ministry and past awardee, Pastor Chukwuma Nwokocha, said that he believed that the coming edition is going to be the best edition in comparison to the past editions.

According to him, the December Awards and Conference in Doha will be very different from the past editions as whoever is going to be given award would really merit it.

Other Speakers at the awards include Governor, Borno State, Babagana Zulum, Hon Abdoulie Sanyang, Minister of Interior, Republic of The Gambia and Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (Rtd), Former Chief of Naval Staff, Nigerian Navy.

The Lead Speaker is General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, Armed Forces of Nigeria on the topic: Nexus Between Citizens’ Socio-Economic Development and National Defence.

Mr. Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, Governor, Lagos State, Nigeria will deliver a paper on the topic: Developing Module for People-Centric Governance Towards Enhancement of Peace and Security – The Lagos State Experience

Paper Presenters at the event include Captain (SA Navy) Mark Blaine, Director, SIGLA, Stellenbosch University, South Africa on the topic: Developing a Viable Blue Economy for National Economic Growth in Africa, Brigadier Leon Duplessis on the topic: Emplacement of People-Oriented Policing for Security and Development in Africa

Others are Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, Nigerian Army on the topic: Tackling Terrorism and Insurgency through Non-Kinetic Operations – The Nigerian Experience.

Ms Toral Vadgama, Deputy Head – Global Maritime Crime Programme, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Kenya will speak on the topic: Tackling Violent Crimes through Effective Policing of the Sea

Discussants include Brigadier General John Waweru (Rtd), Nigerian Army, and Professor Barend Princloo and Nigerian Navy.

Also speaking at the media briefing, a member of the Board of Trustees, Brig.-Gen. Sani Kukasheka Usman (rtd), said the choice of Qatar was both symbolic and practical.

This year’s edition, he said, is so unique as in-depth research has already been carried out.

Noting that security cannot be divorced from development, he said, quite a number of experts have been lined up for the event.

Qatar, he said, exemplifies a country that places immense value on humanity and consistently striving to improve the quality of life of its people.

“We believe that participants will experience the best practices in that country, and through this experience, we can learn invaluable lessons that can be applied in Africa.