The Higher Education leadership and Policy project, HELP, a research and policy-based consulting firm, has launched a new advocacy support initiative, the Defence Support Advocacy Project, DSAP, to support the ongoing efforts of the Chief of Defense Staff, CDS, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, as he leads the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in the fight against insecurity and other forms of violent crimes in the country.
Hon. Ayo Thomas, Lead Advocate, Defence Support Advocacy Project, and Chief Executive of HELP, in a statement said that the project, aimed at modeling the Citizens’ trust for the Nation’s Armed Forces, has become necessary at this time CDS, a well-trained soldier, has so far implemented people-centric leadership philosophy with huge achievements that reflect the values of discipline, bravery, and professionalism that define the Nigeria Armed Forces.
The statement reads in part:
“Further interrogation of his leadership concept showed that the CDS who came prepared for the challenging responsibility has the capacity, willingness and ability to herald a new dawn by strategically re-invigorating and tactically implementing doctrine of reality and necessity in the Nation’s defence and internal security management as it perfectly fits into the Mantra of the “Renewed Hope Agenda” of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.
“Today, it is noted that the tripod on which his leadership stands i.e. people-centric, disciplined and Forces multiplier, are very strategic to towards winning and not losing any battle in the quest to make the nation safe.
“Consequently, after due impact assessments, HELP recognizes the need for all the critical public stakeholders to stand by the CDS to reconstruct the Nation’s security model so as to destroy the conditions that embolden the terrorist, insurgents, kidnappers and their cohorts to carry dastardly acts on citizens.”
Hon. Thomas said the Defence Support Advocacy Project, DSAP,
is premised on the fact that the peculiar nature of our nation’s internal security is not all about Military might but requires non- military strategies and tactics. DSAP also recognizes that the Nation is suffering from a societal threat that covers everyone, and for this reason it is approaching security from the perspective of development without which there is no security.
The Project, he said, has adopted the “Design Methodology approach” to frame our environment, security issues, and the probable solutions by unlocking our innate superpowers and secret weapons of champions with the deployment of critical tools like “Diplomacy, strategic public dialogue, Consultations, Conversations, and Monitoring and Evaluation” as applicable to the Nation’s public space.
“It is highly envisaged that this pro-active non-military strategic weapons systems/approach which fit into the CDS People-Centered leadership philosophy could ultimately be a game changer that will offer strategic solutions that will significantly contribute to the peace and security of the Nation,” he said.
The statement reads further:
“As a result of the consequences of the negative public perception about the Nigerian Armed Forces which has been orchestrated by false narratives in some quarters, most especially among the very critical publics who should naturally show understanding, the project will take-off with an elaborate world press conference to present the Nigeria Armed Forces as a special brand of public Service.
“This is with a view to informing local and international audiences of the great achievements of the military under General Christopher Musa and by so doing destroy the proposed plots and ploys of some international organizations and critical local news media agencies willing to deliberately blackmail the Armed forces and set the Nigerian publics in particular and the outside world in general against the great initiatives of the current leadership of the Nation’s Armed Forces.
“Also, some of the outlined programs under the project to present the Armed Forces as a brand so as to change the long-held negative perception includes radio programs, strategic Publics sensitization, research and documentations, strategic Media retreat, special events Happy hours, monitoring and Evaluations, Youths/Students via town hall meetings and campus tours. Strategic partnership with the movies industry, strategic/world-class movies and documentaries, musical videos, social media campaigns as well as an annual Nigeria Armed Forces Public Service Day Celebrations will also form part of the project channels of implementation.
“We are therefore very hopeful that DSAP project will further support and help to consolidate the Nigeria Armed forces as a brand that has earned itself a place in the enviable rank of the world’s bests in terms of professionalism, courage, resilience and combat efficiency, with glowing tributes from regional and global peacekeeping outings, as well as in the management approach of the hydra-headed monster of insecurity and other criminal activities plaguing the Nation.
“As a strong advocate in the Civil – Military Relations with huge vested interest in the success of the Armed Forces to create a safe place for all Citizens, we wish to use this opportunity to commend the Chief of Defence staff, the Service Chiefs (Army, Air Force and Navy) over all the great achievements recorded within just a few months of being appointed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. Today, the fight against terrorism, banditry, oil theft and other forms of criminality across the country has convinced critical Nigerians that there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“We also use this medium to strongly appeal to the general public to exhibit extreme caution in consuming misguided social media information and reports and at the same time restrain from aligning with activities of desperate politicians who have resorted to ethnocentric and religious sentiment so as to give the Armed Forces a bad name even in the face of the ultimate sacrifice of the gallant soldiers and officers in the discharge of their duties of protecting the nation’s territorial integrity.
“We therefore urge the Armed Forces leadership under General Christopher Musa and the Service Chiefs to remain undaunted, stay focused and maintain their dedication and full commitment to the survival of Democracy in the ongoing Nationwide Military campaign to make Nigeria a safe Nation for all Citizens.”