NSCDC, SFCG Collaborate To Strengthen Early Warning Response During Conflict
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Search for Common Ground (SFCG) have entered into a partnership with the determination to fashion more proficient ways to respond to conflict situations.
A statement on Wednesday by the Corps’ PRO, Babawale Afolabi, says that the partnership, which culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), was forged following the collective resolve of both organisations to upscale efforts to create a safer and more peaceful society for all.
Speaking at the signing of the MoU, the Country Director of SFCG, Fatima Madaki, said some of the core areas of the collaboration is the utilization of the NSCDC and SFCG knowledge and expertise as both parties have valuable experience and resources to bring to the table and the management of hate speech, misinformation and rumours especially those related to security issues.
“We are particularly excited about our collaboration with the NSCDC team across all the 774 Local Governments and the FCT and are optimistic that through this partnership we will track early warning signs and indicators of conflicts as well as violent conflict and take swift and necessary actions to prevent them from escalating”, Madaki said.
She also expressed the commitment of SFCG to training more personnel of the NSCDC on the Early Warning Early Response mechanism which, she explained, will equip the personnel with the requisite tools and knowledge needed to effectively respond to conflicts and contribute to peace-building.
In his remarks, the Commandant General, NSCDC, Abubakar Audi, who was represented by the Deputy Commandant General (DCG) in charge of the Directorate of Administration, DCG Adeyinka Ayinla, held that the relationship is symbiotic as it will benefit both the Corps and the SFCG but most importantly the Nigerian populace.
The CG stated that the Corps through its Peace and Conflict Resolution Unit has been able to resolve over 16,000 conflicts via the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism, stressing optimism that this will bring about more impetus for better service to the people.
The NSCDC helmsman expressed delight at the training of more personnel of the Corps by SFCG and reiterated his administration’s commitment to training and retraining for enhanced performance.
Search For Common Ground is the largest dedicated peace building organisation which has, since 1982 been working towards building peace, transforming societies zand using innovative tools to end violent conflict around the world.
