BY SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
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Security experts and personnel from various security and paramilitary agencies have commended the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Simon Ortuanya, for his inclusive leadership style and efforts in ensuring peaceful coexistence within the institution.
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The commendation came from participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 19 (EIMC 19) study of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Abuja, during an interactive visit to the university. The visit formed part of their study tour and engagement with key stakeholders and heads of security agencies in Enugu State.
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Speaking during the visit, on Thursday, the team leader, Olalekan Fashanu, said UNN was selected for the engagement due to its reputation as a leading academic institution and its diverse population drawn from different ethnic backgrounds.
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According to him, the university provides an ideal setting for examining their study theme, “Ethnic Militia and Resource Competition in Africa: Implications for National Security.”
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During the session, participants raised questions on factors driving local conflicts, including access to resources, regional security challenges, and frameworks for sustaining peace. They also explored issues of state legitimacy and its influence on the proliferation of ethnic militias.
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Responding, a political scientist at the university and Dean Student Affairs, Prof. Christian Ezeibe, identified land as the most critical resource linked to conflicts in Enugu State, citing recurring farmer-herder clashes in areas such as Uzo-Uwani and Ehamufu.
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He noted that the University of Nigeria has established a Directorate of Community Relations, which engages host communities and promotes dialogue to sustain peaceful relations.
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The Acting Chief Security Officer of UNN, Barr. Ambrose Aniebonam Okey, highlighted the institution’s internal security measures, stressing that the Vice-Chancellor maintains a zero-tolerance policy on cultism, discrimination, and all forms of division among staff and students.
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Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Kamoru Usman, the Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation to the delegation for choosing UNN for their study tour. He commended their contributions to national security and urged them to intensify efforts toward ensuring lasting peace across the country, describing peace as fundamental to sustainable development.
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The visit concluded with the presentation of security related books and a commemorative plaque to the university by the delegation, in appreciation of the warm reception and productive engagement.
