Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, has called for the establishment of strong community-based security structures across Africa as a foundation for building effective national and continental security systems.
The governor made the call on Thursday while delivering a keynote address at the International Conference on Military Professionalism in Africa held at Imo State University (IMSU), Owerri. He was represented by the Deputy Governor, Lady Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru, PhD.
At the event, Governor Uzodimma received an Award of Excellence from the Center for African American Research Studies (CAARS) in recognition of his contributions to security and governance.
Speaking on the theme, “Military Professionalism, Peace and Security in Africa: Repositioning Security Institutions for Democratic Stability and Global Responsibility,” the governor commended CAARS and the IMSU Faculty of Social Sciences for organizing the conference. He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting Imo State with logistics and resources that have strengthened the state’s security architecture.
According to Uzodimma, Africa’s security challenges can only be effectively addressed when security initiatives are built from the grassroots rather than being driven solely from central governments.
He argued that for decades, African countries have concentrated security efforts at the national level while neglecting local communities where threats often emerge.
Drawing from his administration’s experience in combating insecurity in Imo State, the governor highlighted measures adopted by his government, including the enactment of enabling laws, adequate funding of security initiatives, deployment of technology, strengthening of federal security agencies, and active community participation.
He revealed that his administration established a robust security network involving traditional rulers and over 7,000 trained community security personnel working alongside conventional security agencies.
“They are the eyes and ears of the security system at the level where the system was blind,” he stated.
The governor further stressed that democratic stability is strengthened when security institutions remain accountable to the people they serve.
Reaffirming his administration’s commitment to the welfare of security personnel and their families, Uzodimma disclosed that the state government disbursed ₦600 million during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration to support families of fallen heroes and wounded servicemen.
He also advocated for a stronger African role in global security affairs, including permanent representation on a reformed United Nations Security Council, enhanced security in the Gulf of Guinea, and the operationalization of the African Standby Force.
Highlighting Nigeria’s contribution to continental peace and security, the governor noted the country’s peacekeeping roles in Liberia and Sierra Leone as well as its ongoing efforts against terrorism in the Lake Chad Basin.
Speaking at the conference, the Minister of Defence, Gen. Christopher Musa, represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Enugu, Major General Oluremi Fadairo, emphasized that sustainable development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.
He noted that both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies adopted by the Nigerian military have recorded significant successes and reaffirmed the military’s commitment to professionalism, discipline, and respect for democratic governance.
Fadairo also stressed the growing importance of technology in modern security operations, urging citizens to support security agencies by reporting suspicious activities.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of IMSU and Chairman of the Occasion, Prof. Uchechukwu Chukwumaeze, commended Governor Uzodimma, the military authorities, CAARS, and the Faculty of Social Sciences for bringing the continental security discourse to the university.
Also speaking, the Director-General of CAARS, Prof. Nnamdi Nzenwodu, announced plans by the organization to establish a Centre of Excellence for Contemporary Strategic Studies at IMSU.
The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof. A.J.K. Nwosu, described the conference as a timely platform for advancing discussions on Africa’s security and development challenges.
The event featured cultural displays, award presentations, and the unveiling of CAARS’ strategic development plan for Imo State University.
Several top government officials, military officers, heads of security agencies, academics, students, and other stakeholders attended the conference.