The Rotary Club of Omole-Golden, in partnership with Halogen Group, has called for stronger collaboration, conflict resolution skills and community participation to address Nigeria’s growing security challenges.
The seminar, organised under the theme “The State of Security in Nigeria: Peace and Conflict Resolution as Part of the Solution,” aligned with the peacebuilding focus of Rotary International and attracted security experts, government representatives, Rotarians, students and members of the media.
The programme began with the presentation of the Objects of Rotary and the recitation of the Four-Way Test, emphasising truth, fairness, goodwill and benefits to all as ethical standards that should guide professional conduct and community relationships. Speakers noted that consistent application of these principles could contribute to national development and peaceful coexistence.
In his address, the Rotary President Rotarian Adekunmilola Adio-Moses expressed appreciation to participants, partners and stakeholders for honouring the invitation and supporting initiatives that promote peace and security.
He reaffirmed that service remains the core mission of Rotary, noting that meaningful societal impact can only be achieved through collaboration and continuous engagement among individuals and institutions.
The President emphasised that the seminar should not end as a one-day intervention but should serve as the beginning of stronger partnerships aimed at addressing security concerns in communities.
According to Adekunmilola, Rotary places people at the centre of service initiatives, stressing that cooperation among stakeholders is more valuable than financial resources alone. She encouraged participants to remain actively involved in Rotary activities and maintain dialogue beyond the event to ensure sustained impact.
Adekunmilola, also invited guests, particularly security leaders and professionals present, to Rotary fellowship meetings as a way of strengthening long-term collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Delivering the keynote presentation, security expert Dr. Wale Adeagbo emphasised that conflict resolution remains a critical tool for addressing insecurity and promoting peaceful coexistence in Nigeria.
He explained that the seminar was designed to equip participants with practical knowledge and skills that could be applied within communities, workplaces and homes, stressing that conflict resolution must move beyond theory into everyday practice.
Adeagbo highlighted the operational capacity of Halogen, describing the organisation as one of Nigeria’s largest private security providers with about 20,000 personnel nationwide, working closely with government agencies, institutions and community organisations to improve safety standards and influence security policies.
He noted that partnerships, knowledge sharing and people-centred approaches remain fundamental to achieving sustainable peace, aligning with Rotary’s philosophy of service above self.
Speaking on the concept of peace, the expert explained that peace involves identifying the root causes of disputes and resolving tensions to ensure harmony. He noted that peace exists in two forms negative peace, which is temporary and dependent on circumstances, and positive peace, which is sustained through strong institutions and functional societal systems.
Adeagbo outlined several theories explaining the causes of conflict, including biological tendencies, institutional failures, economic hardship, cultural tensions and the frustration-aggression theory, which suggests that unmet needs often lead to violence.
He stressed that most conflicts arise from the gap between people’s needs and interests, emphasising the importance of recognising and addressing these factors for effective conflict management.
Presenting global statistics, he revealed that the world is currently experiencing its lowest level of peace since the end of World War II in 1945, with more than 100 countries recording deteriorating peace conditions and about 59 active conflicts ongoing globally.
He added that violence and insecurity cost the global economy approximately $19.97 trillion annually, representing about 11 percent of global GDP, highlighting the significant economic impact of instability.
Focusing on Africa, Adeagbo expressed concern about widespread unrest across the continent, noting that Nigeria falls within the medium-to-high security risk category due to socio-economic and political challenges.
Survey findings presented during the seminar indicated that four out of ten Nigerians had experienced insecurity within the past year, while eight out of ten knew someone who had been affected. Kidnapping, armed robbery and insurgency were identified as major threats, with kidnapping generating the highest level of fear among citizens.
He explained that kidnapping fears have intensified partly because the crime has evolved from being associated with identifiable groups to becoming opportunistic, involving individuals from different backgrounds, including acquaintances and community members.
Despite these concerns, he said many Nigerians remain optimistic, with nearly half believing security conditions could improve in the coming year. However, he warned that the proliferation of illegal arms and increasing threats require greater awareness and proactive community engagement.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Peace-Building and Conflict Prevention Committee Adegbola Lewis stressed that Nigeria’s security challenges ranging from urban crime and cyber threats to communal conflicts cannot be addressed solely by law enforcement agencies.
He emphasised that communities, civil society, private organisations and service institutions all have roles to play in promoting peace through dialogue, mediation, youth empowerment and ethical leadership.
Also at the event was Commissioner of Police Lagos State, Director, Department of state services, GM, Lastma, State Commander NSCDC and Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund