By Clara Dabo
The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, has emphasized that sustainable development and economic growth in the Niger Delta Region (NDR) and across Nigeria cannot thrive without a secure and stable environment.
Speaking during a strategic engagement at Headquarters 6 Division, Port Harcourt Barracks, Major General Emekah welcomed delegates from the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47/2025 of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos, who are currently on a study tour of Rivers State.
The visit, was part of the Institute’s ongoing national research efforts, focused on security challenges and opportunities tied to the blue economy in the Niger Delta Region.
In a statement released by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the General Officer Commanding described NIPSS as a vital think tank in Nigeria’s policymaking architecture, whose recommendations bear significant weight and reach the highest levels of government.
“Without security, nothing functions optimally not the economy, not governance, not development,” Major General Emekah remarked. “Our mandate in the Niger Delta is clear protecting critical national infrastructure and securing lives and property. But beyond the battlefield, we are engaging communities through non-kinetic approaches to build trust, especially with traditional rulers, as we work to win hearts and minds.”
He highlighted the Division’s integrated operational efforts in curbing oil theft, illegal refining, and sabotage of national assets vices that threaten both security and economic sustainability.
Leading the visiting delegation, Rear Admiral Abubakar Mustapha lauded the Army’s role in securing the region and reiterated the Institute’s mission to provide policy direction for national development.
“NIPSS is Nigeria’s apex institution for strategic planning, and the 47th Senior Executive Course is delving deep into how security operations can unlock the full potential of the blue economy,” he stated.
He noted that Group 7 of the Senior Executive Course was in the state to examine firsthand the efforts of 6 Division and other stakeholders in combating criminalities such as pipeline vandalism, piracy, illegal oil bunkering, and communal violence all of which continue to pose threats to national interests in the region.
“Our goal,” Rear Admiral Mustapha added, “is to understand what has worked, what hasn’t, and how best to position institutions like 6 Division to deliver on their mandate more effectively. The insights gathered here will shape strategic recommendations to the Presidency.”
One of the participants, Dr. (Mrs.) Ethel Asinya Mendle, also expressed gratitude to the Division for the warm reception, describing the experience as enlightening and impactful. She hoped for continued collaboration between the military and research institutions like NIPSS in the future.
As the visit concluded, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening civil-military synergy in addressing the complex security landscape of the Niger Delta and driving national transformation through informed, strategic action.
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