To ensure security in the nation’s capital, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command has entered into a partnership with the Women Affairs Secretariat of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) to train adolescent girls and young boys on self-defense.
Already, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to that effect, has been signed by the Commandant, NSCDC-FCT, Dr Olusola Odumosu, and the Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi.
Speaking while signing the agreement during a visit to the NSCDC-FCT Command headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, Benjamins-Laniyi said the visit was aimed at consolidating the partnership with the NSCDC on the security of FCT residents, especially women and the girl-child.
She disclosed that the Woman Affairs Secretariat has lined up activities, which include the training on self-defense of adolescent girls, code-named, ‘The Orange Girls’, and the young boys, code-named, ‘The Orange Heart ‘.
In a statement by the public relations officer of the command,
CSC Samuel A. Idoko, the Mandate Secretary added that the secretariat needs the expertise of the NSCDC, as an astute security agency that has successfully trained the Female Strike Force (FSF), to help in actualizing the plan.
Responding, Odumosu commended the mandate secretary for her desire to make a change in the lives of women and girls in the FCT, even as he assured her of the support of the NSCDC-FCT command to achieve her aim.
The NSCDC-FCT Commandant noted that the NSCDC is a gender-sensitive organization, where women are given their pride of place, which he said, led to the formation of the FSF and the appointment of women in very senior management positions by the Commandant General of the Corps, Dr Ahmed Abubarkar Audi.
He pointed out that women and girls are the most vulnerable in society, adding that the training of adolescent girls, especially on self-defence is coming at a very good time, while the benefits cannot be overemphasized.
