President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has pledged that his administration will pursue a whole-of-society approach to defeating insecurity, stressing that true peace must be won both on the battlefield and sustained through citizen participation.
Tinubu made the remark on Thursday in Abuja at the launch of Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum, a memoir written by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor (rtd). The President was represented by the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar.
“This is not a mere stand-in,” Tinubu said. “It is a mark of the administration’s respect for service and sacrifice. General Irabor’s book is more than a literary work—it is a call for reflection, a source of insight, and a catalyst for change.”
The President lauded Irabor’s distinguished military career, highlighting his leadership roles in Operation Lafiya Dole, the Multi-National Joint Task Force, and as the 17th Chief of Defence Staff, where he strengthened synergy among the armed forces.
He described Scars as both history and a roadmap for the future, noting that scars, whether personal or national, are reminders of pain but also proof of survival.
“Our scars are evidence of resilience,” Tinubu said. “They remind us of the sacrifices of soldiers, displaced families, and communities. This book challenges us to learn from the past and build a safer tomorrow.”
The President reaffirmed his government’s efforts to strengthen the military with modern platforms, advanced intelligence capabilities, and regional cooperation.
“We are investing in a whole-of-society approach so that peace is not only won on the battlefield but sustained in daily life through citizen participation. Nigerians should know—we will not rest until every index of instability is defeated,” he vowed.
Dignitaries at the event included former President Goodluck Jonathan, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, serving and retired military chiefs, members of the diplomatic corps, and other eminent Nigerians.
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