Vice President Kashim Shettima has thrown his weight behind adopting a non-kinetic approach to tackling insecurity in the South East region of the country.
He backed the idea and other initiatives already being implemented when he received a delegation led by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, on a courtesy visit to the Presidential Villa, Abuja on Tuesday.
The delegation under the auspices of Peace In South East Project (PISE-P) visited the him 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, 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 the need for a handshake, that way, those that have not been radicalized can be captured.”
Shettima further explained the wisdom in adopting a non-kinetic approach in addressing the security situation in South East, saying it would save the region from endless war.
He stated: “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 address, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, reiterated the call for a non-kinetic approach to addressing the security challenges facing the South East region.
“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 said.
Kalu 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.”
He 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.
The deputy House speaker 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,” he added.
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.
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