Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has given his nod to the adoption of a non-kinetic approach in addition to other initiatives already being implemented towards tackling insecurity in the South East zone of the country.
Shettima stated this on Tuesday when he received on a courtesy visit to the State House, Abuja, a delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu.
The delegation under the auspices of Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) visited the VP to present the initiative and invite him for the launch of the project that proposes a non-kinetic solution to the crisis in the South East region.
Speaking after a brief introduction of the new initiative, the Vice President endorsed the concept, noting that the “approach is the most beautiful I have seen so far.
“We need to build bridges, there is a need for a handshake, that way, those that have not been radicalised can be captured.”
Shettima further explained the wisdom in adopting a non-kinetic approach in addressing the security situation in the South East, saying it would save the region from endless war.
His words: “Unless we want to engage in an endless war of attrition, a non-kinetic solution to the crisis in the South East must be explored and deployed. The most atrocious of wars are at the end of the day sorted out on the negotiation table.
“It is how you build bridges that will determine how far you go as a people and society. We have to reach out to the youths; we have to empower them. Once we empower them, the crisis, the agitation and insecurity will vanish”.
Earlier in his speech, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kalu, reiterated the call for a non-kinetic approach to addressing the security challenges facing the South East region.
According to him: “We understand that many zones in the country face similar security challenges,” he said. “However, PISE-P proposes a non-kinetic approach to address these issues that have impacted the economy of the South East and Nigeria”.
He stressed the urgency of finding solutions, just as he said, “We cannot ignore these challenges; we must face them head-on. The current situation has severely affected our lives and our sense of unity.”
Kalu expressed optimism that the Peace in South East Project could bring hope to the region, similar to how other parts of the country have seen improvement.
He emphasized the need for new solutions, acknowledging that past approaches have not yielded the desired results.
Kalu highlighted the importance of addressing the sociological factors contributing to the unrest, expressing belief that a non-kinetic approach, focusing on changing the narrative and reorienting the minds of the people, can be more effective.
“We want to start a conversation that helps change the perception and mindset in the South East,” he explained, adding that “this cannot be achieved through guns and violence.”
The Deputy Speaker emphasized the need for initiatives that foster a sense of belonging and inclusion, even as he acknowledged the government’s limitations and stressed the importance of collaborating with development partners under the Peace in South East Project.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Follow us on:
