Nigeria is unfortunately often considered one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Terrorism, communal violence, kidnapping, poverty, hunger, disease, corruption, major crimes, theft, arson and militia violence are part, in some form or the other, of the daily lives of Nigerians. Furthermore, the expansion of terrorist activities, such as the ones perpetrated by the African affiliates of the so-called “Islamic State”, emphasises just how much “localised” problems are in fact everyone’s problems.
Wishing to contribute to a reversal of this situation, the Nigeria Emergency Response and Counter-Terrorism workshop (NERCT) was created in 2013 with the goal to bring together Nigerian and international practical and analytical security expertise to find solutions to Nigeria’s insecurity.
Due to the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Nigeria Emergency Response and Counter-Terrorism security workshop will be held online. To this effect, NERCT 2020 will occur from September 28-30, 2020, offering four closed webinars and a session open to the public at large.
The topics for NERCT 2020 include but are not limited to:
September 28, 2020
Panel Session Healthcare, Terrorism, Infrastructure and Food Security in a post-COVID-19 Environment
Is there really a before and after COVID-19 in Africa? If yes, what changed and what are the challenges moving forward for healthcare, infrastructure safety guidelines and terrorism?
Speakers: Professor Joe Amadi-Echendu, University of Pretoria, South Africa, Yan St-Pierre, CEO, MOSECON GmbH (Moderator) Dr. Olayemi Dawodu, MD/CEO Clina-Lancet Laboratories Professor John Ebute Agaba, Benue State University, Makurdi, Nigeria
Duration: 2 hours
September 29, 2020
Webinar 1 Lethal Symbiosis: The Interdependencies of Terrorism, Organised Crime and Militias
Criminals do not hesitate to enter into short term dealing with other sectors if it benefits their strategic and business interests. How has the development of terrorism and conflicts in West Africa affected the dynamics between criminal actors and what are the consequences for security.
Speaker: Yan St-Pierre, MOSECON GmbH, Berlin, Germany
Duration: 90 minutes
Webinar 2 Critical Infrastructure Security
How does Nigeria better protect her telecom, power, oil and gas infrastructures in a volatile, uncertain and complex scenario? Airports, seaports, railway and road transport systems remain primary targets for terrorist and criminal syndicates. Should Nigeria adopt a counter or defensive approach? How Nigeria can better protect her national infrastructures, enhancing resilience, is the main focus herewith.
Speaker: Uzoma I. Kingsley, ERAS, Abuja, Nigeria
Duration: 90 minutes
September 30, 2020
Webinar 3 Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Concepts for Public and Closed Spaces
What are the elements to be considered to develop and implement effective and adaptable HVM concepts for infrastructure and public spaces? How can you protect people without trapping them in?
Speaker: Christian Schneider, Initiative Breitscheidplatz, Germany
Duration: 90 minutes
Webinar 4 On the Need for Security Policy Legislation in Nigeria
“Security” consumes a significant percentage of Nigeria’s gross domestic product annually at all levels of government without securing most Nigerians and Nigeria. Thus, there is a stark need for security philosophy wrapped in policy legislation to address this lacuna and provide the basis for engagement by Nigerians and non-Nigerians.
Speaker: Dr. Adoyi Onoja, Professor of African History, Department of History, Nasarawa State University, Keffi, Nigeria
Duration: 90 minutes