Participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 19 have praised UNN Vice-Chancellor Prof. Simon Ortuanya for maintaining peace and ethnic harmony within the institution despite regional security challenges.
Security experts and personnel from various paramilitary agencies have lauded the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Simon Ortuanya, for his inclusive leadership and commitment to peaceful coexistence within the university.
The commendation was delivered by participants of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 19 (EIMC 19) from the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), Abuja, during a strategic study tour and interactive visit to the institution on Thursday.
The team leader, Olalekan Fashanu, explained that the university was specifically chosen for the engagement because of its status as a premier academic institution with a highly diverse population representing numerous ethnic backgrounds.
This diversity made the university an ideal case study for the team’s current theme, which focuses on the implications of ethnic militia and resource competition for national security in Africa. During the visit, the participants examined the drivers of local conflicts, including resource access and regional security frameworks, while also discussing the influence of state legitimacy on the rise of militias.
Addressing the visitors, Prof. Christian Ezeibe, a political scientist and the Dean of Student Affairs at UNN, identified land as the primary resource-related driver of conflict in Enugu State. He cited recurring farmer-herder clashes in regions such as Uzo-Uwani and Ehamufu as significant challenges. To mitigate such tensions, he noted that the university has established a Directorate of Community Relations designed to foster constant dialogue with host communities and ensure stable relations between the campus and its neighbors.
The Acting Chief Security Officer of the university, Barr. Ambrose Aniebonam Okey, further elaborated on the institution’s internal safety protocols. He emphasized that the Vice-Chancellor maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy regarding cultism, discrimination, and any forms of ethnic or social division among students and staff.
This centralized approach to discipline is credited with maintaining the campus as a neutral ground for academic pursuit despite the broader security concerns in the region.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Kamoru Usman, Prof. Ortuanya expressed gratitude to the NISS delegation for their visit. He acknowledged the critical role of the institute in formulating national security strategies and urged the participants to remain steadfast in their mission to ensure lasting peace across Nigeria.
He concluded by stating that peace remains the indispensable foundation for any sustainable development. The engagement ended with a formal presentation of security-related literature and a commemorative plaque to the university management.
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