By Seriki Adinoyi
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has eulogised late former Director-General of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Professor Habu Galadima, describing him as a man with calm impetus that brought fresh energy to the institute.
Osinbajo stated this through zoom at the inaugural memorial lecture in honour of Galadima at the institute last Saturday evening.
According to him, “Late Galadima had a deep intention about the need to reposition the institute as the foremost institute in the country. This reflected most vividly in his performance of his assignment as a director-general.”
He added that within the short period Galadima served, he built bridges of relationships of fellowships across all intellectual area, and initiated various reforms aimed at repositioning the institute to accomplish its mandate.
The don said, “A regime of fear, anxiety, siege, threats and helplessness and extensive losses, dislocations, destabilisations, destruction and devastation is evident, and Nigerians have become victims of violence and criminality perpetrated by diverse armed elements on the highways, farms, schools, streets, banks, markets and homes. There are huge attendant costs on socio-political and economic development, social and physical infrastructure, livelihoods, incomes and productivity, as well as a huge toll on human security and human development.
“In tackling the situation, therefore, there is need for a national action plan on small arms control. This would involve updating legislations, strengthening sanctions and establishing departments within the arms control. Consistent, effective, reliable and strong border security is also crucial to containing Nigeria’s vulnerability to arms inflow because the border remains a major source of illicit trading and trafficking of drugs and