President Bola Tinubu has given his approval to the bill establishing the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons, according to National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu.
In an Abuja workshop on gender mainstreaming and stopping the spread of small arms and light weapons in Nigeria and the West African subregion on Tuesday, Ribadu made this revelation.
The Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), represented by Amb. Ibrahim Babani, Director of External Affairs, ONSA, stated that the President’s signing of the bill marked a significant turning point in the government’s efforts to stop the spread of illicit weapons.
He claims that the Center’s mandate is strengthened by the legislative support, which also opens the door for more deliberate and well-coordinated work.
In order to stop the spread of light and small arms throughout the nation, he also emphasized the importance of gender mainstreaming.
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, among other important international frameworks, served as the workshop’s foundation, according to Ribadu.
He claims that the resolution highlights how important it is to shield women from the effects of conflict while also guaranteeing their full involvement in efforts aimed at promoting security and peace.
“Moreover, the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons underscores the collective responsibility of our region in curbing the spread of these dangerous weapons, which disproportionately affect women and children in conflict zones.
“The importance of gender mainstreaming in preventing the proliferation of SALW cannot be overstated as it strengthens our strategies, and ensures that our approach to security is inclusive and sustainable,” he said.
