By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) have begun a joint initiative to strengthen security management in tertiary institutions nationwide, with 600 Chief Security Officers (CSOs) drawn from across the country undergoing specialised training.
The four-day workshop on Campus Security Management (CSM) was declared open in Abuja by the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi.
The training is organised by the NSCDC in collaboration with the International Academy for Gender and Peace (IAGP), with support from TETFUND, and brings together Chief Security Officers from tertiary institutions across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Audi identified cultism, violent extremism, kidnapping, gender-based violence, cybercrime, drug abuse and campus unrest as growing threats to security in academic environments.
He said some perpetrators of major crimes, including banditry and kidnapping, often initiate their criminal activities while on campuses, underscoring the need for stronger preventive security measures in tertiary institutions.
The NSCDC Commandant General therefore charged the participating CSOs to remain vigilant and proactive while continually acquiring contemporary security knowledge needed to effectively protect lives and property and uphold human rights.
The Course Director and President of IAGP, Prof. Frederick Terhemba Tyoor, said the workshop was designed to re-tool participants to identify and address security vulnerabilities on campuses and reduce fear among students and staff.
Tyoor emphasised the importance of proactive intelligence generation and utilisation, stressing that security risks should be identified and neutralised before they escalate into major threats.
Representing the Executive Secretary of TETFUND, Arc. Sunny Echono, Dr. Yusuf Gamawa reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote safe learning environments in tertiary institutions.
A goodwill message was also delivered by Prof. Bilyaminu Suleiman Muhammed, Professor of Demography and Industrial Sociology at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.
The four-day workshop features presentations and practical sessions facilitated by experts drawn from academia and security agencies.
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