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... Launches renewed push for safer communities, supports vulnerable families with social interventions
Jaji, Kaduna State
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has called for renewed commitment to strengthening family values as a key strategy in addressing insecurity and fostering national stability.
Speaking on "The Relationship Between Family Dynamies and Nigeria's National Security" at the opening ceremony of Exercise HASKE BIYU 2025 at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State, Senator Tinubu who was the Special Guest of Honour ably represented by the wife of Vice President described the family as the “bedrock of society” and emphasized its central role in shaping a secure and prosperous nation.
“Family is the foundation where we learn our core values of love, duty, respect, and sacrifice. Our nation is made up of millions of families with diverse traditions, dreams, and aspirations, all deserving safety and freedom,” she said.
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The annual multi-agency training exercise, with this year’s theme, “Family and National Security in Nigeria”, focuses on internal security and low-intensity conflict (IS/LIC) operations. It brings together no fewer than 783 participants, senior military personnel from Nigeria and other countries, key security stakeholders to strengthen inter-agency coordination in addressing emerging security challenges.
The exercise drawn participants from key national stakeholders involved in governance, defence, security, intelligence, law enforcement, financial, health, media and emergency sectors among several others. Staff from Ministries of Defence and Interior as well as participants from Defence and Service War Colleges will serve as observers.
Senator Tinubu cautioned against parental neglect, noting that many young people fall prey to cultism, drug abuse, and extremist ideologies due to inadequate parental guidance.
“When parents abandon their responsibilities in pursuit of survival, children are left vulnerable to negative influences. This can lead to catastrophic outcomes that threaten not only families but also national security,” she warned.
She also underscored the critical role of religious, traditional, and community leaders, urging them to continue teaching principles of faith and reinforcing positive values to guide the younger generation.
Highlighting the Federal Government’s efforts to support families, the First Lady reiterated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to improving social welfare through the Renewed Hope Agenda.
She disclosed that the conditional cash transfer program has been expanded to benefit 15 million vulnerable households nationwide, with each household receiving ₦25,000 in three tranches.
“Through my Renewed Hope Initiative, we will continue to complement government efforts to ensure families live better lives and communities remain strong,” she added.
While commending the Armed Forces for their service and dedication, Senator Tinubu declared the exercise open, charging participants to focus on building synergy for a safer and more united Nigeria.
“Let us go forward from Exercise Haske Biyu stronger, more united, and mindful of why we serve: for family, for love of country, and for a more secure tomorrow,” she concluded.
Earlier the Commandant of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Air Vice Marshal Hassan Idris Alhaji, in his address, called on all stakeholders to work collectively toward building a secure and prosperous Nigeria, warning that global instability poses existential threats to the nation. He urged swift action to fix internal security and economic challenges to achieve the trillion-dollar economy envisioned by the President.
This year’s theme, “The Family and National Security,” underscores the role of the family as the foundation of societal values and national stability.
He noted that the 3-week exercise is an integral component of the Senior Course Curriculum and aims to prepare personnel from various security, law enforcement, intelligence, and media agencies for coordinated responses to Internal Security and Low Intensity Conflict (IS/LIC) challenges in Nigeria. .
AVM Alhaji emphasized that sustainable peace and prosperity require both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches, stressing the need for societal acceptance of security efforts. He noted that the exercise has been expanded to address pressing national issues and to foster institutional synergy as a pathway to solving Nigeria’s multi-dimensional crises.
He highlighted that the college, which has been operational for 49 years, has trained military and security leaders from 41 countries. The annual exercise, held for the past 30 years, was initially designed to strengthen synergy between the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police for internal security but has now evolved into a national problem-solving platform involving all security agencies and first responders.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Executive governor of Kaduna State, Governor Uba Sani ably represented by his Deputy, Dr Hadiza Sabuwa Balarabe reiterated its commitment to strengthening security as a foundation for peace and development.
The Governor emphasized the state’s unique position as a garrison state and home to several military institutions, noting that security is not only a federal mandate but also a state responsibility. He stated that his administration has made security a key pillar of governance, stressing that sustainable development cannot be achieved without collaboration between security agencies, communities, and government stakeholders.
The Governor also highlighted the critical role families play in shaping a peaceful society, describing them as the bedrock of social cohesion, cultural identity, and moral integrity. He warned that dysfunctional family systems can create vulnerabilities, exposing young people to crime and violent extremism. According to him, strong family structures instill discipline, responsibility, and respect—values essential to national stability. He urged families to lead in promoting dialogue, empathy, and understanding to build a safer and more just society.
Sultan of Sokoto, Sa'adu Abubakar Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar in his remark emphasized the crucial role of the family in shaping children’s security culture, stressing that education begins at home, with parents serving as the first role models. Speaking on the importance of cultural values, he noted that mothers are the first teachers of every child, whose daily actions greatly influence their v1alues, attitudes, and behavior.
The Sultan urged Nigerians to look inward, drawing from the nation’s rich history and traditions, particularly lessons from the old Sokoto Caliphate, where policies were developed to guide future generations, rather than relying solely on borrowed ideas that lack roots in local societies.
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun represented by Assistant Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Usaini Gumel, from the Nigeria Police Force Department of Training and Development reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening inter-agency cooperation and fostering family-centered security strategies during Exercise Haske Biyu 2025, a national security initiative aimed at addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
The Force stressed that strong family bonds promote discipline, civic responsibility, and societal harmony, while weak family structures often contribute to rising crime, radicalization, substance abuse, and violence.
Highlighting the need for a whole-of-society approach to tackling insecurity, the NPF called for collaboration among families, schools, traditional rulers, faith-based organizations, and security agencies.
The Force pledged to work closely with the Armed Forces and other security institutions in intelligence sharing and joint operations, develop preventive policing strategies to strengthen family systems, and support the government’s broader vision for a safer and more resilient Nigeria. It also reiterated its commitment to advancing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s charge to rebuild the family unit as the seedbed of national values, stressing that safeguarding homes ultimately secures the nation’s future.
Director General National Orientation Agency (NOA) , Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu,The Director-General of the has announced a new compulsory subject, Citizenship Study, for all pupils from Primary 1 to SS3, starting next academic session. The subject aims to teach young Nigerians patriotism, values, and civic responsibility.
He also revealed plans to nationalize cartoon content to curb foreign cultural influence on children. In the next three years, cartoons will focus on Nigerian culture, heroes, and traditions, with the Federal Government investing heavily in the project.
In his remarks, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Sokoto, Nigeria, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah represented by Rev Joseph John Hayab, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, in the 19 Northern states and the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja said urged the inclusion of family values in tackling insecurity. Speaking at the opening of Exercise Haske Biyu 2025 in Jaji, Kaduna State, he likened current efforts to a car with one headlamp, stressing the need for families to serve as the “second headlamp” in building a secure nation.
Hayab described the family as the foundation of morals and discipline, warning that children without proper guidance are easily recruited by criminals. He called on participants to lead by example, emphasizing that strengthening families is key to lasting peace and security in Nigeria.
HASKE BIYU is a Hausa phrase which literarily means "Two Lights. Thus, Exercise HASKE BIYU is a national problem-solving platform focused on tackling national security issues using a whole of society approach.
Participants of Exercise Haske biyu will attend a series of lectures and presentations, which will cover various aspects of IS/LIC operations in line with the theme of the exercise. These will provide theoretical insights into the concepts, strategies and challenges faced by security, law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in addressing internal security threats.
There will also be case studies and syndicate discussions, which will allow participants to analyse real-world security challenges and propose actionable solutions in group settings. Furthermore the exercise will include practical activities, such as playlets and group presentation which will allow participants to demonstrate their understanding and application.
“Exercise HASKE BIYU” remains one of Nigeria’s most strategic training platforms for enhancing national security operations and inter-agency cooperation.