President Goodluck Jonathan will tomorrow declare open a two-day national conference aimed at encouraging broad-based approach to tackle emerging contemporary security challenges in the country.

In a statement issued by CSP Frank Mba, the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, in Abuja yesterday, Mba said the conference will be attended by military and police chiefs, representatives of state governors, special advisers on security to governors and security experts/practitioners from within and outside the country.

Also to attend are principal officers of national and state assemblies, chief executive officers of registered and active private security agencies and representatives of ethnic forums and nationalities.

He said that the National Human Rights Commission, invited non-governmental organisations and civil society groups were expected to attend.

Others included Nigeria Labour Congress, PENGASSAN, Trade Union Congress, Nigeria Bar Association, Nigeria Medical Association and Guild of Editors. The others are Nigeria Union of Journalist, representatives of Police Community Relations Committee at national and state levels among participants.

It also said that other critical stakeholders in the Nigerian Project were also expected to make inputs.

“The summit, which is a public private partnership initiative, is expected to provide an avenue for Nigerians from all walks of life to make informed inputs into concerted efforts by the police and other security agencies at providing lasting solution to Nigeria’s myriad security challenges,” it said.

The two-day event is being organised by the Nigeria Police in conjunction with Vanguard Newspapers. The theme of the conference is: “Addressing Nigeria’s Security Challenges for Sustainable Peace and Development”. It urged participants to use the opportunity to make sincere and informed inputs on matters bordering on the general security of the country and the people.

According to the statement, the conference is predicated upon the belief of the force that the business of policing and securing Nigeria is the responsibility of all. It added that “no single individual or organisation has monopoly of security knowledge”.

It assured participants that their inputs, suggestions, contributions and decisions would be given consideration in new security policies and strategic operational plans by the government and the Police High Command.