National Security: Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, Halogen Academy Convene Peace Building Conference in Lagos
LAGOS — The Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, in partnership with Halogen Academy, has convened a high-level conference in Lagos aimed at addressing Nigeria’s worsening security landscape and the global decline in peaceful coexistence.
The event, themed Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Seminar, brought together security experts, community leaders, and stakeholders committed to strengthening national stability amid rising insecurity that continues to shape socio-economic outcomes.
In his welcome address, Chair of the Peace Building and Conflict Prevention Committee of the Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, Mr. Adegbola Lewis, described Nigeria’s security environment as “complex and evolving,” citing urban crime, cyber threats, communal conflicts, and emerging risks as major concerns.
“These realities affect not only personal safety but also economic growth, social cohesion, and national development,” Lewis said, stressing that security must not be left to government alone.
He emphasized that peace building requires practical steps such as early identification of tensions, constructive dialogue, community-based mediation, youth engagement, ethical leadership, and responsible information sharing.
President of the Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, Rtn. Adekunmilola Adio-Moses, reinforced the organisation’s people-centred philosophy, noting that unity and consensus are prerequisites for meaningful development.
“In the Rotary Club, people come first, then resources,” he said, encouraging sustained engagement beyond the conference and broader community collaboration.
The keynote speaker and Chief Operating Officer of Halogen Academy, Dr. Wale Adeagbo, framed peace building around human needs and interests. He argued that conflict prevention begins with addressing fundamental needs such as food, shelter, security, and recognition.
“The needs of all individuals and groups must be accommodated in any decision-making process to avoid rebellion and uprising,” Adeagbo stated.
Citing the 2025 Global Peace Index, he noted that global peace has declined to its lowest level since the index was introduced, with peacefulness deteriorating in 100 countries over the past decade. He attributed the trend to rising armed conflicts, misinformation, environmental degradation, and vulnerabilities associated with hyper-connected digital systems.
Focusing on Nigeria, Adeagbo highlighted a 45 percent increase in kidnapping cases and a 52 percent rise in community-based disputes, noting that firearms are a primary driver of insecurity. He called for systematic threat identification, proactive mitigation strategies, and the adoption of conflict-resolution tools such as active listening, empathy, emotional regulation, and perspective-taking.
Also speaking at the seminar, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the , Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, provided insight into the financial demands of maintaining security infrastructure in Lagos.
He revealed that the Fund relies heavily on public donations to support over 130 police stations, 20 area commands, the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), the Department of State Services (DSS), and other formations.
“We are the only government agency that doesn’t present a budget to the House of Assembly. We survive on what you give,” Ogunsan said, adding that he introduced a crowdfunding strategy to broaden community participation in security financing.
From a policing perspective, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, described the conference as significant and urged the Rotary Club to extend similar initiatives to other segments of society.
“We cannot get tired of talking because people feel us in different ways,” he said, underscoring the importance of communication and early detection of warning signals in conflict situations.
Similarly, the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), Lagos, Mr. Babajide Adisa, noted that crises—whether natural or man-made—are inevitable but must be managed objectively. While advocating non-kinetic approaches, he warned against sacrificing truth in the pursuit of peace.
“You can’t say because you want peace, you bury the truth,” he stated, stressing that accountability and appropriate sanctions are necessary to deter wrongdoing.
The conference concluded with a call for sustained dialogue, collective responsibility, and community-driven solutions, reinforcing the message that peace building is a continuous process requiring the active participation of citizens, institutions, and stakeholders committed to a safer and more united Nigeria.
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