CDS KEYNOTE ADDRESS AT THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ONLINE SECURITY NEWS PUBLISHERS CONFERENCE 2025
as read by AVM BR Mamman Commandant of the Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Oshodi
Chief of Defence Staff
Protocol
I stand before you with deep gratitude and humility as I receive the honour of “Iconic Man of the Year 2025”.
This recognition is not mine alone but belongs to all who work every day to make Nigeria safer and stronger. I thank the leadership and members of National Association of Online Security News Publishers for this honour and I salute the journalists and online publishers who use their platforms to enlighten, inform and strengthen our democracy.
This award reminds me of a truth I hold dear, that service to our nation begins with duty, integrity and courage to stand firm when others step back. My path in the Armed Forces of Nigeria has been guided by the values of discipline, sacrifice and love for country. I dedicate this award to the men and women of our Armed Forces whose sweat and sleepless nights guarantee the stability we enjoy and to all Nigerians whose trust drives our mission. The Armed Forces of Nigeria exists because of the citizens and it is only right that we continue to give back through dedicated service.
Commandant, Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Oshodi delivering the address
The theme of this conference, “Securing and Safeguarding Nigeria’s Economic Resources: Using Kinetic and Non-Kinetic Approaches”, could not be more relevant. Our nation’s growth and human development depend on how well we protect our resources, both human and natural. These resources go beyond oil and minerals. They include our people, infrastructure, agriculture, forests, technology and every asset that can help our nation grow. Protecting them is not just a security issue; it is an economic and moral duty.
We must remember that security is the foundation for economic success. When people feel safe, businesses grow, farmers plant with confidence and investors take bold steps. Nigeria recently increased its crude oil production to over 1.5 million barrels per day, but vandalism and illegal activities still threaten this progress. We must therefore protect what we have built so that our natural wealth becomes prosperity for every Nigerian, not just a few.
The first step toward securing our resources starts with all of us. Security is not the work of government alone but of every citizen. Parents, teachers, journalists, community leaders and entrepreneurs all have roles to play. In today’s digital world, information itself has become a battleground. Nigeria has over 107 million internet users and about 38 million active social media users. This space can be used for good or harm. We must therefore protect the truth, report responsibly and ensure that our narratives promote unity and hope rather than division and hate.
To our hosts, the participants at this event and everyone working in the media, please note that you play a vital role in this effort. The stories you tell and the facts you verify help shape national security. When you report truthfully and promptly, you help turn information into actionable intelligence. We must work together, the people, the media and the security agencies, to resist those who spread falsehood and unrest. The safety of our nation depends on our collective effort and the integrity of our communication.
Beyond military action, we must focus more on the non-kinetic side of national security, which accounts for nearly 70 percent of the work. This includes good governance, infrastructure, power, communication and social development.
Without roads, our troops cannot respond quickly. Without electricity, businesses cannot grow and citizens cannot even make distress calls. We must also work with our neighbours, Benin, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, to tackle cross-border crimes, arms smuggling and insurgency that threaten our peace. Protecting our borders and resources is a shared responsibility.
In closing, I wish to sincerely thank the National Association of Online Security News Publishers for this honour and for their steadfast contribution to national development. I also appreciate the unwavering support of the Minister of Defence and the Minister of State for Defence, whose guidance enables the Armed Forces of Nigeria to effectively fulfil their constitutional responsibilities.
My gratitude equally goes to the National Security Adviser for coordinating the collective efforts of our security agencies toward a safer nation.
Above all, I thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, whose Renewed Hope Agenda continues to inspire both the kinetic and non-kinetic dimensions of our national security strategy, driving progress and stability across the country. His leadership is steering Nigeria in the right direction and in due course, we shall all witness the rewards of a fully secure and united nation.
Once again, I thank the National Association of Online Security News Publishers for this recognition and for organising this important conference.
May our shared commitment strengthen the resolve to build a secure and prosperous Nigeria.
Thank you and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.