Yesterday, 4th of April 2024, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development with support from the MacArthur Foundation , held it's Third Edition on the Stakeholders Roundtable Engagement on National Cohesion for its Leadership Effectiveness and Accountability Dialogue (LEAD) Project on the theme: Unbundling National Security for Effective National unity and Prosperity ;Food security, Job security/Unemployment, Cyber security, Policing and National Territorial.

The event had in attendance, critical stakeholders from diverse sections of Nigerian society, including, but not limited to; Public office holders, Academia, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Law Enforcement Agencies, and the Media amongst others. In light of the theme of the day, the panelists and participants engaged in an in-depth and effective discussion of the Unbundling National Security for Effective National unity and Prosperity.The event outlined the divisive instruments that contributes to a destabilized National Security, buttressing the prioritization of human security as it is a nexus to national security. Ways to achieve and maintain the spheres of national security have been extensively discussed with emphasis on “ Recognition of citizen inclusion rather than indigen” as a driving force for national unity to be attained.

The event had Dr Ann Uruegi Agi, A lecturer from the University of Calabar as the keynote speaker, she was joined by other eminent discussants/Resource persons like Professor Dennis Nnanna Aribodor, A lecturer and Director Biotechnology research Center, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Col. Ademola Lawal,(Rtd) Head of Research, Savannah Centre for Diplomacy Democracy and Development and our amiable moderator, Ms. Moyo Thomas, Senior Reporter, TVC NEWS.
Finally, all the participants spoke extensively on the hinder and drivers of national unity and security, and recommendations were made at the conclusion of the event.

Yesterday, March 27, 2024, Savannah Centre through the support of the MacArthur Foundation, held the fifth edition of the Radio Citizen Townhall Meeting through its Leadership Effectiveness and Accountability Dialogue (LEAD) project on the theme: The Implementation of the Oronsaye Commitee Report: Opportunities and Challenges. Challenges.

A shift away from a conventional structure, the meeting, which had in attendance stakeholders from different sections of society, including the media, academia, government, etc., took an open-mic form, which allowed for an open, robust, and active conversation. The participants delved deeply into the report with a multifaceted analysis of its recommendations.The discourse revolved around imperative questions on the necessity of public service reforms and restructuring, the challenge of duplication of functions, the strategy to curb leakages and wastages, as well as corruption and cronyism within the service.

Although the report was considered vital, it was unanimously agreed that a more holistic approach was necessary to solve the prevailing challenges of efficiency and effectiveness in governance. To this end, solutions around the need for a national restructuring across all tiers and levels of government, attitudinal change in Nigerians, building working institutions and systems, and implementing effective monitoring and evaluation frameworks were brought to the fore as strategies to drive sustainable growth and development in the country.