In their collective resolve to upscale efforts to create a more safer and peaceful society for all, 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.
The collaboration which culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the National headquarters of the NSCDC had the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Abubakar Ahmed Audi and the Country Director of the SFCG, Fatima Abubakar Madaki among other stakeholders.
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 added.
She also expressed the commitment of Search for Common Ground to train 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 Ahmed Audi PhD, mni, OFR who was represented by the Deputy Commandant General (DCG) in charge of the Directorate of Administration, DCG Adeyinka Fasiu Ayinla held that the relationship is symbiotic as it will benefit both the Corps and Search for Common Ground 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.