As Security Problems Linger at Home, African “Big Brother”, Nigeria, Plans to Improve Contribution to Peacekeeping Missions

Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin

It is no longer news that the country if facing one of its toughest times as far as security is concerned. This is why the country’s military have been drafted in to assist the police in tackling security issues in various parts of the country on what has been tagged Joint Task Forces (JTFs).

As a matter of fact, just about two weeks ago, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, had come out to suggest recruitment of more hands into the Armed Forces to meet local and international security challenges facing the country.

Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Oluseyi Petinrin, had on Monday said in Abuja that discussions were underway to improve Nigeria’s contribution to peacekeeping missions. He was speaking at the opening ceremony of third Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Senior Mission Leaders Course, designed for potential senior mission leaders in peace support operations being organised by ECOWAS Commission and the German government.

Disclosing that Nigeria had paid its price with reference to global peace through its participation in peace support operations, the CDS said “On our own part in Nigeria, the practice of Peace Support Operations (PSO), is getting more coordinated as the armed forces, police and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are discussing on how to make the contribution count better than before.”