By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Minna
Former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has called for stronger community engagement and closer collaboration between citizens and security agencies as part of efforts to tackle Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
Babangida made the call in Minna while receiving participants of Senior Course 48 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College during their study tour to Niger State.
The former Head of State described the tour’s theme, “Community Engagement for Enhanced National Security and Prosperity,” as timely and relevant to the country’s present security realities, stressing that intelligence gathering and sustainable peace efforts would be more effective when communities actively support security agencies.
Hosting the delegation alongside former Osun State Sole Administrator, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Babangida said study tours remained vital in sharpening the operational capacity and strategic thinking of senior military officers.
He commended the Armed Forces Command and Staff College for sustaining professional military training and strategic learning, urging the participants to take full advantage of the exposure provided by the exercise.
Leader of the delegation, Air Commodore O.O. Obasa, praised Babangida for his contributions to military education in Nigeria, particularly his role in the establishment of the college’s Department of Air Warfare.
Obasa recalled that Babangida laid the foundation stone for the department on July 3, 1986, before commissioning it on July 4, 1987, describing the initiative as a major milestone in military training and national development.
The delegation was led to Babangida’s residence by officials of the Niger State Government, with the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Abubakar Usman, represented by the Director of Administration in the SSG’s office, Alhaji Abdullahi Uregi.
The visit formed part of a week-long study tour by the senior military officers to Niger State and ended with the presentation of a souvenir to Babangida in recognition of his contributions to the growth of military institutions in Nigeria.
