Federal Government has commended the Peace Corps of Nigeria, PCN for its commitment to ensuring the security and safety of Nigerians just as it sought the collaboration of the organization with other security agencies in addressing the rising spate of insecurity in the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman and his Youth Development counterpart, Dr. Jamila Bio-Ibrahim, gave the commendation and challenge at the 26th Founders Day anniversary of the PCN with the theme: “Complexity of Security Challenges in Contemporary Nigeria: The Imperatives for a Third-line of Public Safety” held on Wednesday in Abuja.
Specifically, Mamman, who was represented by the Deputy Director in charge of Non Governmental Organizations, NGOs, Mrs Morenike Aderinsola, said that the imperatives for a third line security for public safety could not be more timely and relevant than now in an era where security threats are increasingly multifaceted and pervasive.
He said: “We cannot claim to be unaware of the security challenges in our country within the last ten years which has led to loss of lives, closure of schools, kidnapping and abduction of students and teachers, maiming of citizens, killing of security personnel etc.
“This challenge, in spite of the huge amount of money budgeted to combat and reduce it, has remains unabated.
“It is therefore imperative that we explore innovative and collaborative approaches to ensure the safety and security of our nation.
“Therefore, the role of private security outfits such as the Peace Corps in complementing the efforts of public security agencies cannot be overemphasized.
“As we confront the complexities of contemporary security challenges, the concept of a “third line” security becomes crucial.
“This third line should not be seen as merely an auxiliary force but a strategic partner in our collective endeavor to safeguard public safety.”
He, however, said that the Federal Ministry of Education in the past few years has maintained a relatively low challenges of security breaches in schools since the commencement of Safe School Initiative which was initiated in 2016, adding that the feat was achieved with the cooperation of foreign partners, school owners and administrators.
While praising the National Commandant of Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr. Dickson Akoh, for the journey of the Corps so far especially for his resilience in the face of daunting challenges, he said that the ministry is looking forward to having Peace Corps of Nigeria as part of the success story.
“I equally celebrate your unwavering desire to ensure the security of lives and property of citizens of this nation through your selfless service to our dear fatherland, especially the vulnerable among us. We look forward to more collaboration with the ministry in the nearest future,” the minister said.
Also speaking, Bio-Ibrahim said that the programme couldn’t have come in another better time than now, when the spate of insecurity seems to be pervading many parts of the country in form of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery, amongst other social vices.
The minister, who was represented by a director in the ministry, Mr. Isaac Adeagbo, noted that, “though the aforementioned social vices are not peculiar to Nigeria, however, they have been prevalent for more than a decade now, and have taken different dimensions, which make the whole scenario complex, and therefore attest to the theme of this anniversary.”
She, however, said that the present administration was committed to ensuring a secured Nigeria as one of the cardinal points of its Renewed Hope Agenda, pointing out that President Bola Tinubu has demonstrated his unwavering commitment to defense and security, by taking proactive steps in conducting thorough assessment of the Office of the National Security Adviser, out rightly read riot act to Service and Intelligence Chiefs on the need to join forces to defeat all adversaries.
Bio-Ibrahim informed that the Federal Ministry of Youth Development on the other hand, in collaboration with other relevant organizations, also organizes programmes for the youth aimed at dissuading Nigerian youth from getting involved in crimes, criminalities and violent extremism.
The minister urged all patriotic Nigerians to be ready to provide third-line of public safety as suggested by the anniversary’s theme
“We must at all times adhere strictly to that popular slogan: ‘if you see something, say something’. These criminals, including their sponsors, are not spirit; they live in the midst of other people! To adopt a culture of silence, while evil is seen being perpetrated, is to be a partner in crime,” she stressed.
Earlier, the National Commandant of the Peace Corps, Dr. Dickson Akoh, said that the organization was greatly concerned with the rising rate of unemployment in the country, which he noted has made the youths susceptible to various vices like terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other heinous crimes.
This, he pointed out has grave implications on the security situation in Nigeria, adding that “in more advanced societies, youth-based organizations like the Nigerian Peace Corps are established with the sole aim of engaging and pre-occupying the youths as a solution to addressing the social consequences of their unemployed minds.”