As the curtains fell on the 5th Continental Conference of the Federation of African Law Students (FALAS) at the African Union Headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, retired Warrant Officer 1 (WO1) Zakaria Issifu delivered a stirring message on the importance of personal safety and security in the pursuit of Africa’s unity and development.

Speaking during the closing session, WO1 Issifu emphasised that while the ideals of Pan-Africanism, justice, and youth leadership are crucial, they can only thrive in an environment of safety and stability. “Security supersedes all,” he noted.

“Without safety, there can be no progress, no education, and no peace. Every African youth must understand that national and personal security is the foundation upon which all dreams are built.”he added.

A retired military officer and currently the Head of Security and Assistant Registrar at Ho Technical University in Ghana’s Volta Region, WO1 Issifu brings decades of experience in security, logistics, and administration.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with the Study of Religion from the University of Ghana, an MBA in Logistics and Supply Chain Management from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and an LLB from MountCrest University College.

He also possesses a postgraduate certificate in Forensics, Security Management, and Psychology from Wisconsin International University College and is currently pursuing an LLM at the University of Ghana School of Law.

Drawing from his diverse background, WO1 Issifu urged law students to see security as a shared civic duty, not solely the responsibility of state institutions.

“As future lawyers, policymakers, and leaders, your voices matter in shaping safer societies,” he told the delegates.

“Peace and law must work hand in hand — because one cannot exist without the other.”

The 5th FALAS Continental Conference, held in partnership with the African Union, brought together over 250 delegates from 16 African countries under the theme “Strengthening African Youth Leadership through Ubuntu for a United and Independent Africa.”

The event concluded with a call for collective responsibility in safeguarding peace, democracy, and human rights across the continent