Gusau said this in a paper titled, ‘Actualising Nigeria: The Dynamics of Power, Politics, Enterprise and Security’.

He noted that Nigeria’s security could not be considered in isolation but as part of the overall framework for governance.

The retired General said the issues which contributed to security or lack of it, included economy, religion, labour, and politics.

Gusau urged those at the helm of affairs in all tiers of government to take immediate steps to get Nigerian youths positively engaged to avert what he described as looming disaster.

He explained that making the country safe and secure was an essential condition for actualising Nigeria. This, he said, had to be based on a sound security strategy and investments in the requisite security infrastructure.

He said, “Nigerians are worried by the ferocity of current security situation. As a result, many wonder where the country is headed. I am confident that with the adoption of the right strategies the current challenges can be overcome. Terrorism can be defeated. We were successful in containing the threat of terrorism in the past.

“But we should not be over-confident, or try to only wish away the challenges we face.

“The upsurge of terrorist incidents in the country is simply another phase of prolonged struggle which has domestic, regional and global dimensions. There are no instant solutions.”

Gusau raised the alarm over Nigeria’s seemingly uncontrolled population growth with its attendant security implications.

He noted that while China and India, the world’s leading countries in terms of population, had put in place measures to control theirs, Nigeria seems not to have a realistic and coherent population management policy.

“Population increases will put an enormous pressure on our land and society. This pressure may generate unimaginable conflicts in the body politic of Nigeria,” he said.

While reviewing the life of late Gen. Yar’Adua, Gusau described him as a successful entrepreneur, soldier and statesman.

He said, “Shehu was in tune with the reality of his operational environment. Rather than feed on political connections and patronage, he strived boldly to create wealth for himself and others by establishing many successful enterprises.

“As a soldier, with a background for straight forwardness and frank talk, he learnt to navigate the murky and treacherous straits of Nigerian politics. He sought power severally, and was willing to sacrifice and suffer for the ideals he espoused.”

Source: Punch