Day: December 17, 2023

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How Nigeria can overcome insecurity – ASIS, expert

The world’s largest association for security professionals, ASIS International, says tackling insecurity requires cutting-edge ideas, best practices, and latest advancements in technology. Mr Edward Orim, Chairman, ASIS, Abuja Branch 273, said this in Abuja on Saturday, during the association’s 2023 Annual General Meeting and Awards Night. Orim said the chapter was providing a platform for its members and other security stakeholders to produce cutting-edge technology, ideas, and best practices with a view to address insecurity in Nigeria. He described ASIS as an industrial security organisation and open to partnership with government agencies, particularly the office of the National Security Adviser. He reiterated ASIS International’s commitment to advancing security professionalism in curbing insecurity through building partnership among leaders, experts, and security professionals in Sub-Saharan Africa. ‘This year has been nothing short of extraordinary for our chapter. We not only successfully hosted the Sub-Saharan African Conference right here in the heart of Abuja in July but also witnessed a remarkable surge in our membership base. ‘The resounding success of the conference showcased the dedication and expertise of our members, firmly placing ASIS Abuja on the regional and international map. ‘This is a testament to the value that ASIS International provides to security professionals in Abuja. ‘It is inspiring to see our community expanding, fostering a network of security experts committed to excellence and continuous learning and networking with a view to keep everyone safe”, he said. In his keynote address, retired Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa, National Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Center, Office of the National Security Adviser, said there was need for stronger private sector participation in advancing national security. Musa, who spoke on the theme, ‘Reflecting on 2023: A Retrospective View of Evolving Threats Landscape in Nigeria’, stressed the need for the private sector to embed national security values in their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programmes. ‘In contemporary discourse, national security involves the collective ability of a country to protect its people, interests, values, and critical infrastructure. ‘It is also about growing and developing the national economy; preparing and responding to natural disasters, environmental degradation, and climate change; ensuring food security; protecting its digital footprint against cyberattacks or exploitations among others. ‘The idea has also gone beyond a strictly government’s business to a shared responsibility among the citizenry with both state and non-state actors involved in various components of national security,’ Musa said. He said there was need for the public and private sectors to effectively partner to protect people, facilities, and national infrastructure assets. This, according to him, is critical as threats to national security have evolved and become even more complex, with the root causes of insecurity often embedded in the imbalances within the social development fabric of the society. According to Musa, the task of maintaining and ensuring peace and security in the country is achievable when the private sector collaborates and cooperates with the public sector. During the award ceremony, ASIS Abuja Security Development Award 2023, went to Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, and Mr Yusuf Bichi, Director General Department of State Services. Others are Sen. Haliru Jika, Senate and House Committee Chairman, Police Affairs, and Rear Admiral Yaminu Musa (Rtd), National Coordinator, National Counter Terrorism Center. Outstanding Journey Management and Escort service provider 2023 Award went to AlphaFort, while Beacon Consulting Ltd received the Outstanding Risk Management and Consulting Company 2023 Award. Also awarded are Graceworth Nigeria Ltd as the Outstanding Secure Transportation and Close Protection Company, while Edgard Consulting Ltd received the Outstanding Security Training and Education Services Company 2023 Award. Dr Peter Olumuji, Secretary Federal Capital Territory Administration Command and Control, received the Government /Regulatory Sector 2023 Award.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria

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Uzodimma’s daughter offers law school scholarship to 15 students

Barr. Prada Uzodimma, daughter of Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, has awarded law school scholarship to 15 students under the 2023 programme of the annual Prada Uzodimma Law School Scholarship Grant (PUSG). The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the recipients were unveiled at an award ceremony organised by the PUSG on Saturday in Abuja. Uzodimma said the PUSG scheme had earlier in September announced the opening of its portal for the 2023prospective applicants across the country. According to her, over 200 students applied for the scholarship and 15 were painstakingly selected by the screening committee. She said that the number of beneficiaries this year was the highest since inception of the programme. Uzodimma explained that the scheme was an annual educational, and philanthropic project to provide financial support to selected indigent law school aspirants across Nigeria. ‘Today as we reflect on the remarkable journey of the Prada Uzodimma Law School Scholarship Grant, it is essential to trace its root back to my own time at the Nigerian law school in 2017. ‘I attended the law school in 2017, and my set had to raise money for a number of students who could not afford to write the Nigerian Bar exams because they could not pay their fees. ‘As a set, we had to come together to contribute some funds to support some students, unfortunately we could not support all such students. ‘Then I realized that this is the case of many students that attend the Nigerian Law School, as most of them have the passion to be called lawyers, but are unable to sponsor themselves. ‘Distinguishing itself from other scholarships, the Prada Uzodimma Law School Scholarship Grant, is aimed exclusively at indigent student, bypassing the conventional emphasis on their academic grades. ‘The focus is not on the smartest student but on the indigent students, we are giving indigent students the opportunity of becoming lawyers,’ she said. Uzodimma explained that the law school scholarship grant was launched in partnership with Principle Legal Consult in 2021, with five successful beneficiaries. She assured of her commitment towards ensuring that more indigent students realize their dreams of becoming lawyers. She urged Nigerians of goodwill and philanthropists to support the programme. ‘In 2022, we decided to increase the number of beneficiaries to 10 ,and they have just concluded the bar exam and we are looking forward to all being called to bar next year. ‘This year the Prada Uzodimma Law School Scholarship Grant has done something different as we decided to select 15 beneficiaries and we do not prioritize any particular person,religion or tribe’, she said. In his keynote address, Prof.Isa Chiroma ,Director General of the Nigeria Law School, appreciated Uzodimma for founding the PUSG towards ensuring that aspiring lawyers have their dream come through. Chiroma, Who was represented by Dr Beatrice Shuwa, urged the recipients of the scholarship to work hard to justify their inclusion in the scheme. ‘We are proud of this initiative because it is directly dealing with the law school and we hope that the opportunity is given to those who actually need it. ‘Many are unable to come to the law school because of tuition, others could not cope because they needed to buy books and feed, so we are very proud of Prada for giving hope. ‘Therefore, for those of you who are privileged to be beneficiaries, you must be good ambassadors of the Prada Uzodimma Law School Scholarship Grant,’ she said. In her goodwill message, Doris Uzoka-Anite, Minister for Industry, Trade and Investment , commended Uzodimma for remaining steadfast. ‘I think this initiative is the most amazing gift anybody can give to another, the gift of livelihood, the gift of a chance, the gift of an opportunity. ‘I am sure she is not doing this because her father is a governor, we know the stories of most governors children, not everybody is as benevolent,’ she said. NAN reports that heads of organisations, both from the private and public sectors , including members of the bench and the bar attended the event.

Source: News Agency of Nigeria