Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, has urged African nations to build stronger community-based security systems, arguing that lasting peace and stability on the continent can only be achieved through grassroots participation.
The governor made the call at the International Conference on Military Professionalism in Africa held at Imo State University, where he was represented by the Deputy Governor, Chinyere Ihuoma Ekomaru.
Speaking at the event, Uzodimma said Africa must rethink its security architecture by moving away from an approach driven solely from the top and instead empower communities to play active roles in identifying and addressing security threats.
The conference, organised by the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Centre for African American Research Studies, focused on the theme: “Military Professionalism, Peace and Security in Africa: Repositioning Security Institutions for Democratic Stability and Global Responsibility.”
The governor described the conference as timely and important, noting that local communities are often the first to detect emerging threats. He argued that security frameworks designed exclusively at national levels frequently overlook valuable grassroots intelligence that can prevent conflicts before they escalate.
According to him, sub-national governments occupy a strategic position between citizens and security agencies and should therefore be given greater responsibility in maintaining peace and public safety. He advocated a bottom-up security model that begins at the community level, extends through local governments and states, and ultimately feeds into national and continental security systems.
Drawing from Imo State’s experience, Uzodimma highlighted several measures his administration has adopted to strengthen security, including legislative reforms, increased funding, community engagement, technology deployment, and collaboration with federal security agencies. He revealed that the state operates a security network involving traditional rulers and approximately 7,000 trained community-based personnel who work alongside conventional security forces to provide intelligence from the grassroots.
The governor also reaffirmed his administration’s support for military personnel and their families. He disclosed that the state government released ₦600 million during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration to support families of fallen heroes and injured service members.
Uzodimma further acknowledged the support of President Bola Tinubu, praising the Federal Government for providing resources and logistics that have strengthened security operations in Imo State and other parts of the country.
Speaking at the conference, Christopher Musa, represented by Oluremi Fadairo, stressed that sustainable national development cannot flourish in an atmosphere of insecurity. He said the Nigerian military’s combination of kinetic and non-kinetic operations has yielded significant results in tackling security threats.
Musa also emphasised the importance of military professionalism, discipline, democratic accountability, and respect for civilian authority. He noted that Nigeria’s investment in local technology and innovation is becoming increasingly vital in modern security operations and urged citizens to work closely with security agencies to enhance national safety.
The Vice-Chancellor of Imo State University, Uchechukwu Chukwumaeze, commended the organisers for creating a platform to discuss Africa’s security challenges. Meanwhile, the Director-General of CAARS, Nnamdi Nzenwodu, announced plans to establish a Centre of Excellence for Contemporary Strategic Studies at the university.
The event featured cultural performances, award presentations, and the unveiling of CAARS’ strategic development plan for Imo State University. Governor Uzodimma was also honoured with an Award of Excellence in recognition of his contributions to governance and security.
