NDA HOLDS 18th CONVOCATION LECTURE, FOCUSES ON COMBATING UNGOVERNED SPACES.

Guest Speaker Prof. Suleiman Elias Bogoro

The dangers of having ungoverned spaces in the country and modalities for combating this phenomenon formed the nucleus of discussions at the 18th NDA Convocation Lecture for cadets of 67 Regular Course and Post Graduate students, which held at the Prof Mahmud Yakubu Hall, NDA Afaka.

Guest Speaker at the Convocation Lecture, Executive Secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), Professor Elias Suleman Bagoro, while presenting his lecture titled *"Combating Ungoverned Spaces in Nigeria"*, described Ungoverned Spaces as areas within the country where government's presence is unavailable. According to him, these spaces are left unattended to by the government. This may be as a result of lack of infrastructure or a lack of public administrative structures, noting that such spaces become safe havens for terrorists and other criminals.

Professor Bagoro declared, "The absence of infrastructure create negative external and internal grounds for terrorists and bandits to operate and gives room for a variety of agents to govern the country other than the government".

While proffering solutions to checkmating this abnormally, the TETFUND Executive Secretary advocated for government to extend its presence beyond the urban areas. He also noted that there is a need for government to strengthen its mechanism for effective control of the borders and the villages in order to curb the menace and threats emanating from the ungoverned spaces.

Professor Bagoro further recommended that the government could review the security architect in the country as well as ECOWAS Protocol which allows cross borders crimes. He also called for improved training and incentives for security operatives and the bolstering of land, sea and air security. Finally, Professor Bogoro advocated for government to map out a framework for national infrastructural development plan.

On his part, the Guest of Honour at the Convocation Lecture, Major General BM Badewole (retired), a former Registrar of NDA, charged the Armed Forces to work harder to enforce combat effectiveness so as to be able to tackle the threats posed by ungoverned spaces.

Speaking at the event, Commandant of NDA, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade, stressed that NDA has always tried to push the boundaries of excellence that will continue to contribute meaningfully to the socio-economic development of Nigeria. He disclosed that the Passing Out Cadets and postgraduate students, for whom the Convocation Lecture is being held, have been grounded to contribute positively to development of the country.

The Academy Provost, Professor AS Nwankwo in his address affirmed that intelligence is needed to win wars and that the intellectual capacity in the graduating cadets, which has been built while undergoing training in NDA, will undoubtedly enhance their military knowledge and help them excel in the military career. He also acknowledged the special relevance of the lecture in addressing problems arising from ungoverned spaces.

By Emmanuel Isheni