By David Oladimeji
The grandeur of the Oriental Hotel’s ballroom in Victoria Island, Lagos, was matched only by the gravity of the conversation that unfolded within it yesterday. Top security chiefs, policymakers, and media professionals gathered for the National Security Conference and Awards 2025, an event organized by the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) to examine one of Nigeria’s most urgent priorities — securing and safeguarding the nation’s economic resources.
The conference, themed “Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources: A Call to Service,” brought together some of the country’s finest minds in security, governance, and finance.
The tone of the day was patriotic yet practical, as speaker after speaker underscored the link between economic stability and national survival.
Representing the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, was Air Vice Marshal Bashir Rimi Maman, Commandant of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre, Oshodi. He opened his remarks with a firm reminder that Nigeria’s prosperity depends on vigilance and unity of purpose.
“Economic resources are the arteries of national development,” AVM Maman said. “When those arteries are clogged by sabotage, corruption, or neglect, the entire body of the nation begins to weaken.”
He reaffirmed the Armed Forces’ resolve to protect the nation’s strategic assets. “Our duty goes beyond defending borders; we must defend the wealth that sustains the people,” he stated. “But this task cannot be left to the military alone. It demands the hands and hearts of every Nigerian.”
The Inspector General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, PhD, was represented by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Fakoade, who spoke with passion on the Police’s evolving role in economic and financial protection.
“The Nigeria Police Force is embracing modern tools — intelligence, technology, and data analysis — to confront crimes that threaten our economic foundation,” AIG Adegoke Fayoade said on behalf of Dr. Egbetokun.
He emphasized that cybercrime, oil theft, and financial fraud are not mere infractions but acts of national sabotage. “Every stolen kobo translates to a stolen future,” he warned. “We must therefore strengthen enforcement and rebuild public confidence in security institutions.”
Representing the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, a senior official of the ministry commended the initiative as both timely and strategic.
“This theme is not just a topic — it is a national warning,” the representative said. “When we protect our resources, we preserve our sovereignty. Security and economy are two sides of the same coin.”
Senator Gaidam, through his representative, praised NAOSNP for bridging the gap between the media and the security sector. “The press remains the strongest partner in promoting accountability,” he said. “When journalists champion security consciousness, citizens become alert, and corruption loses its cover.”
In his welcome address, Mr. Oki Samson (Mayor), President of the National Association of Online Security News Publishers, spoke with the zeal of a patriot and the conviction of a media professional.
“As security journalists, we do more than report incidents — we shape public understanding,” Samson said. “If Nigeria must win the war against economic sabotage, information must become a weapon of protection, not manipulation.”
He explained that the conference was born out of the need to strengthen synergy between journalists, law enforcement agencies, and the public. “We have seen the cost of silence,” he said. “Now, we must amplify accountability.”
Representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) also took turns to highlight the institutional challenges of economic crimes and the collective responsibility to curb them.
An EFCC official reminded the audience that corruption drains the nation’s vitality. “Every act of embezzlement weakens the economy and endangers lives,” he said. “The EFCC remains committed to recovery, deterrence, and reform.”
The ICPC representative, on his part, stressed prevention as a key pillar of economic protection. “We must not only punish corruption; we must design systems that make it nearly impossible to succeed in,” he declared.
Representatives of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) expanded the discussion beyond finances, pointing to the broader scope of national security.
“A secure economy also depends on safe roads, reliable logistics, and disciplined citizens,” an FRSC representative said. “Economic stability grows where there is order.”
The Access Bank representative added a financial perspective, emphasizing the role of financial institutions in curbing illicit flows. “Banks are the gatekeepers of financial integrity,” the representative said. “Through vigilance and collaboration with regulators, we help block channels of economic sabotage.”
The inclusion of young participants — students of Amotekun Academy and Gulf Flower Schools, Gbagada — gave the event a refreshing intergenerational touch. Their participation underscored the importance of early security education.
“We brought these students here to learn patriotism from real-life examples,” Samson said. “They are the ones who will inherit the Nigeria we protect today.”
A student from Gulf Flower Schools, beaming with pride, shared her impressions: “I learned that everyone, even students, can protect Nigeria by speaking the truth and standing for what is right,” she said.
The conference concluded with the NAOSNP Security Awards, which honored individuals and organizations who have distinguished themselves in promoting national safety, good governance, and economic resilience.
As the curtains drew to a close and the audience dispersed, the dominant takeaway was clear — securing Nigeria’s economic resources is not just a government obligation but a patriotic duty. And in the words of one participant, “When the people protect their economy, the economy protects the people.”
