FOR THE RECORDS

AN ADDRESS OF WELCOME PRESENTED BY MR. SABASTINE ANYIA, THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION FIRST VICE PRESIDENT AND THE CHAIRMAN OF HUMAN RIGHT INSTITUTE ON THE OCCASION OF LEADERSHIP COURSE IN ADMINISTRATION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE, HUMAN RIGHT COMPLIANCE, AND NATIONAL SECURITY TODAY, THE 2ND DAY OF APRIL 2025, AT NBA HOUSE, ABUJA.

Distinguished;

1. Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, National Security Adviser, Keynote Speaker.
2. Chief Raymond Nkemdirim, Former Director (Operations), Department of State Services, Chairman of the 1st day Session.
3. The President of Nigerian Bar Association Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN,
4. Mr. Aliyu Bagudu Abubakar, Director General, Legal Aid Council, Chairman 2nd day Session
5. Dr. Solomon Arase, Former Inspector General of Police
6. Prof Chidi Odinkalu, Former Chairman National Human Rights Commission
7. Gen. C G Musa of Defence Staff.
8. Prof. Akinseye – George, SAN
9. Hon. Justice Ishaq Bello, Former Chief Judge, FCT High Court & all other Judges present.
10. Prof. CBN Ogbogbo, Director of Research, Nigerian Army Resource center,
11. The Hon. Attorney Generals and Commissioners for Justice of various states here present,
12. The Chairman of Human Right Commission, Chief Tony Ojukwu.
13. The Chairman of Police Service Commission,
14. Senior Advocates of Nigeria here present
15 The coordinator of Peace building Development Consultancy,
16. Captains of industries,
117. Distinguished colleagues,
18. Members of the press,
19. Invited guests,
20. Ladies and gentlemen.

I have the honour to welcome you all to this historic event of leadership course in administration of Criminal Justice, Human Rights Compliance and National Security. In doing so, I wish to confer my address to one aspect that bothers on national security of our country today. I have in mind the wise saying of Cicero , a Roman state man, Lawyer, scholar and philosopher when he said “The safety of the people shall be the highest law”. I therefore submit that this event is apt as it will deal substantially on the security of our nation vis a vis our various families.

The course aims to highlight the challenges facing Nigeria’s security and Justice system, particularly the collusion between Security agencies and non – state actors. It also seek to emphasize the crucial role of the Judiciary in upholding Human Rights and restoring order. Furthermore, It seeks to address these gaps by promoting dialogue among stakeholders, enhancing inter – agency collaboration and strengthening the national security framework to improve Nigeria’s approach to insecurity.

The rational behind the course is that a strong criminal justice framework helps prevent the unlawful use of force and support due process while focusing on preventing crimes and terrorism. No doubt, effective security strategies require a well funded, forward looking system that integrates preventive measures, investigative techniques and international cooperation, all within the bounds of the rule of Law.

No country plays with the security of her citizens, it is on this note that the former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations Centre for Human Settlements – Wally N’Dow submits that “the only true and lasting security is the one that concerns itself with the protection of people, their welfare, no less than their opportunity to lead healthy and productive lives in an environment that encourages them to attain their full potential as human beings”.

As a nation we must design a way of providing safety and security to our citizens. We cannot have a productive society when the security of our country is in doubt. We must invest in the security of our nation and it should be everyone’s responsibility. It is in this light that Nelson Mandela at the All Africa Conference on Rights of Children held in Johannesburg South Africa 1994, told the world that “Safety and security don’t just happen; they are the result of collective, consensus and public investment”.

I then ask as a nation and as an association, have we invested enough in our safety and security? Your guess is as good as mine. That is why Thomas Jefferson the President of the United States of America 1801-1809 states that “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance”. Once we attain relative peace and security in our society, administration of criminal justice and human right compliance will become the bread and wine for everyone. This is because peace is not a mere matter of men fighting or not fighting. Peace, to have meaning for many who have known only suffering in both peace and war must be translated into bread and rice, shelter, health and education as well as freedom and human dignity; a steadily better life. If peace is to be secured, those who have endured long suffering and have been long starved, the forgotten people of the world, the underprivileged and under nourished, must begin to realize without delay the promise of a new day and a new life.

Let nothing deceive us, that security is just about our military might, no, its about the resilience of our society, the strength of our economy and the durability of our democracy. We must therefore take this event very seriously and remain focused till the end of the course – because according to Martin Luther King Jnr. the hope of a secure and livable world lies in discipline, non conformists who are dedicated to justice , peace and brotherhood.

Ladies and gentlemen, as I end this welcome address, permit me to borrow the words of Barack Obama former president of the united states of America in his 2010 National security strategy, when he stated that ”Our national security begins at home, we must renew our economy, rebuild our infrastructure and educate our children to compete in the global economy. Our security depends on the strong economic foundation”.

Ladies and gentlemen, captains of industries here today, the security and safety of our nation is not only in the hands of our military, the ball also falls in your court. Let us make Nigeria safe and secure as we have no other home or country than this great black nation. Thank you for your time.

God bless Nigeria!
God bless NBA!

Sabastine Anyia LL M
NBA, 1st Vice President & Chairman Human Rights Institute