REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, (C.O.N) AT THE PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE 2016 STRATEGIC CONFLICT ASSESSMENT (SCA) OF NIGERIA.

PROTOCOL

1.It is my distinct pleasure to join you all here this morning on the kind invitation of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) to witness the public presentation of the 2016 Strategic Conflict Assessment (SCA) of Nigeria. The ICPR has provided important security assessment work since its inception and helps ensure policy decisions are informed by evidence-based research.

2.As has been well stated, our nation’s economic recovery and social cohesion are constantly threatened by communal conflict, sabotage of critical infrastructure and terrorist insurgency. Nigeria’s security architecture is often overstretched in the efforts to maintain order, address violent outbreaks and protect lives and property. Many of the conflicts that bedevil our peace and security as a nation, require investigation into root causes, dialogue and other mitigating interventions, before we can begin to arrive at peaceful solutions.

3.The ICPR’s Strategic Conflict Assessment of Nigeria, which is being presented today, is a very important document indeed, one that helps Federal Government in its efforts to identify, prioritize and arrest such disturbances before they become a serious threat to our economy, investor confidence and human lives.

4.Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to express my appreciation of the international donor community – namely the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the UK Department for International Development (DFID), USAID and the World Bank – all of whom have recognized the importance of the Assessment through their generous support of this edition.

5.The Strategic Conflict Assessment of Nigeria is a recognition of the growth of the Nigerian government’s peacebuilding, conflict prevention, management and intervention capabilities. The emphasis on inter-agency and inter-ministerial coordination is a critical and welcome process that is sure to help reduce gaps in policy formulation and response actions.

6.This document is the result of extensive field work and research that the Federal Government and the people of Nigeria are very proud to have as a tool for promoting peace, stability and harmony throughout our nation. It is particularly heartening to see that the Strategic Conflict Assessment comes with a National Action Plan which gives us a framework for better coordination of peace and conflict resolution efforts.

7.On behalf of my distinguished colleagues in the National Assembly, I applaud you Mr. Vice President for your presentation today and I praise God for the the blessed nation we call the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you all very much.

THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE