The Committee on National Security and Intelligence, House of Representatives, has organised the First Bi-annual Training on Community Security Engagement for Traditional Rulers, Local Government Chairman and Critical Grass Roots Security Stakeholders.
The training took place on Tuesday, July 21, 2025 at the Conference Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Jabi, Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Senate President, Senator Obong Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Dandutse Muntari Mohammed, the Chairman Senate Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFund, noted that the National Assembly has recognised the effort of the chairmen, traditional rulers and community stakeholders in maintaining peace and stability at their various communities.
“Your efforts are crucial in promoting stability and fostering a sense of safety among citizens. Security at the grassroots level. This is initiated to underscore our commitment to enhance security at the grassroots level.
“This training therefore is aimed to equip you with the necessary skill and knowledge to enable you to engage and address emergency security challenges in our community by working together.
“This engagement can help us all. I urge you to engage and participate actively in this training. Together we can develop strategies to tackle security challenges and promote peace in our community,” he said.
Akpabio reiterated the National Assembly’s readiness to support all relevant security agencies with fair budgeting and financing and also to enhance their capacity to tackle challenges in this country.
NOUN’s Pro–Chancellor, Mallam Isa Yuguda, on his part, stated that in the realisation of the importance of education in contributing to community security, the institution intends to open up several security study centres. “And that is the importance of NOUN.
“If we can achieve the dream of establishing 774 study centres in each of the local governments across the federation, this can help in crisis resolution. Community security is the bedrock of national stability.”
Yuguda, a former Bauchi State governor, explained that “action must be taken, so that we don’t keep deceiving ourselves. We need developmental, enhanced technology such as smart phones, CCTVs, solar panel and digital reporting apps because we are in an information technology world and all these need to be incorporated in our fight for insecurity.”
The Vice–Chancellor, NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, represented by the Deputy Vice–Chancellor, Administration, Prof. Isaac Butswat disclosed where the university could contribute, which, he said, was in the provision of an enabling environment for carrying out programmes such as this.
“Security is everybody’s business and so the stakeholders that have been invited have clearly chosen us to create an enabling environment which we have been given for this training.
“Technologically, we are the best compared to other universities.
“In NOUN, we have our internal security, which are members of staff and also hired security, which are directly engaged through the company. Everyone here belongs to a local government with whom the matter of security cannot be overemphasised. NOUN will continue to cooperate with stakeholders whenever the need arises,” the VC said.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, represented by Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7 headquarters, AIG Victor Olaiya, the Chairman, Royalgate International Convener, Royal Prince Celestine Ekwe, delivered their remarks at the event.
Major-General Chris Olukolade presented a lecture on the topic: “Local Intelligence and National Security Awareness: A Veritable Tool in Security Management.”
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