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The minister in his speech on Wednesday at the Engagement Session on “Strengthening and Capacity Building of the National Early Warning Response Group (EWRG)”, held at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Resolution Conference Hall, Abuja, outlined major drivers of the challenges to include climate change and the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW), which continue to undermine livelihoods and socio-economic development, particularly in the Sahel and across Africa.
The minsiter was represented by Mr. Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
"We must acknowledge the imperative of a comprehensive, data-driven, and effective Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) system in addressing the multitude of peace and security challenges confronting the world.
"The global community has, over time, grappled with violent conflicts and insecurity, including political instability, banditry, terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational organised crime," he stressed.
He stressed that the engagement session is an initiative of one of the foremost institutes under his supervision, the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR), in collaboration with Strengthening Peace and Resilience in Nigeria (SPRiNG) - a laudable project of the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), he emphasized that the partnership reflects not only the strength of Nigeria's bilateral cooperation with the FCDO but also foresight in deepening engagement and collaboration among members of the National Early Warning Response Group (EWRG) towards building an effective Early Warning and Early Response (EWER) system.
"This initiative, without a doubt, demonstrates your dedication and commitment to fulfilling your mandate, particularly in preventing conflict, building resilience, enhancing security, promoting regional cooperation, and ensuring socio-economic development in Nigeria and across Africa.
"Nigeria has continually evolved strategic pathways to confront these challenges and address threats to peace and security both within our nation and across Africa."
On the part of Nigeria, the minister highlighted the interventions are in line with the tenets of the 4-D Foreign Policy Doctrine of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, which prioritises development, diaspora, demography and the pursuit of democratic consolidation, regional stability, and global peace.
"Our intervention in the recent coup in the Benin Republic underscores Nigeria’s proactiveness and effectiveness in responding to political crises and insecurity across the continent.
"The convening of today’s Capacity Building Engagement Session further accentuates Nigeria’s resolve to strengthen its Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System for peaceful coexistence, security, and stability.
"In essence, we are committed to enhancing collaboration, improving early warning reporting, and strengthening corresponding responses from stakeholders across the peace and security ecosystem in Nigeria and Africa."
He expressed confidence that the engagement will serve as a pathway to holistically preventing violent conflicts, fostering unity and peaceful coexistence, enhancing justice and inclusivity, improving food security, and ensuring economic growth and development.
"I am confident that we will achieve our goals through this strategic engagement, particularly given the diverse stakeholders present here today. These stakeholders, drawn from across the peace and security spectrum, will share insights and experiences as part of the long-term network of the National Conflict Early Warning and Early Response System (NCEWERS) of the IPCR.
"This intervention aligns with the overall objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President for our dear nation.
" I congratulate the Director-General of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and his counterpart, the Team Lead of SPRiNG under the British Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, on the successful convening of this Capacity Building Engagement Session," the Minister said.