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Preparations have been concluded for the maiden edition of the First Daily National Dialogue on Security, with several prominent political leaders, military chiefs, security experts and public affairs analysts confirming their participation in the event.
The dialogue is scheduled to hold on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, by 10:00am at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, will serve as the Special Guest of Honour and present a paper titled, “Governors as Chief Security Officers in Nigeria: The Bayelsa Example.”
The event will be co-chaired by former Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff, General Martin Luther Agwai (Rtd.), alongside Senator Henry Seriake Dickson.
Also expected at the dialogue are the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, while the keynote address will be delivered by former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor (Rtd.).
Other confirmed speakers include former Inspector-General of Police, Mike Okiro; former Interim Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme, Colonel Milland Dikio (Rtd.); Executive Director, Operations and Technical, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Captain Warredi Enisuoh; retired intelligence officer, Major Lancelot Anyanya; lawyer and forensic expert, Dr. Yemi Onifade; Professor Yahaya Ndu; risk management specialist, Onyekachi Adekoya; legal practitioner, Frank Tietie; and public affairs analyst, Mojeed Dahiru.
Speaking ahead of the event, Publisher of First Daily, Dr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, described the dialogue as a timely intervention aimed at addressing Nigeria’s persistent security challenges.
According to him, “The security of our nation cannot be left to the government alone. It requires the collective wisdom, commitment and collaboration of political leaders, security institutions, traditional rulers, civil society, the private sector and citizens.
First Daily believes that the time has come for meaningful engagement that transcends political divides and places the security, unity and wellbeing of Nigerians above every other consideration. This dialogue is intended to provide that platform.”
Iworiso-Markson said invitations had been extended to top government officials, including the Minister of Defence, Minister of State for Defence, Minister of Interior, National Security Adviser, Inspector-General of Police, Director-General of the Department of State Services, Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs.
He added that leading political figures across party lines, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Rotimi Amaechi and other national leaders, had also been invited to participate.
According to him, representatives of major socio-cultural organisations such as Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Afenifere, the Arewa Consultative Forum, PANDEF and the Ijaw National Congress have equally been invited to contribute to discussions.
The publisher said the dialogue would bring together policymakers, security professionals, diplomats, traditional rulers, civil society groups, academics, youth representatives and media practitioners to examine the root causes of insecurity and recommend practical solutions to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture.
He expressed confidence that recommendations from the dialogue would support ongoing efforts to promote peace, national stability and sustainable development, adding that all logistics and security arrangements had been concluded for a successful event.
