Olegh Holds One-Day Security Training

Olegh Centre for Community Development, a non-governmental organization held a one day security consciousness training on Tuesday September 10, 2024 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
While welcoming participants to the training the executive director of Olegh Centre for Community Development, Hon Henry Eferebo said the programme is in response to security challenges being faced by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and to create awareness on the security of civil society members in the office, at home, on the street and during field work. He further stated that the program is aimed at, “making NGOs understand the nature of security in our communities; it is to guide on how you should behave in your community and to be conscious in your environment”.
Giving an overview of security situation in the state ,Professor Fidelis Allen of the University of Port Harcourt explained that security is everyone’s concern because criminality and insecurity are really big threats in the country, adding, that when it comes to a formal sector, the Nigerian Police is top on the list to ensure our communities are protected but everyone needs to know what to do at all times to be conscious of security.
The resource person, ASP Akintunde Oyeniran, assistant commissioner of police in the intelligence department of the Rivers State Police Command in his presentation, stressed that security is life and life is security adding that it is when someone is alive that one can say he/she is secured, pointing out the need for NGO security.
“When the staff are safe, NGOs will perform maximally, the NGO’S often operate where there is crisis. They have interest, they want to help assist people that are down trodden,” he stated.
The police AC opined that the NGOs are currently facing physical security challenge which borders on being safe from physical harm and accidents, stressing that they need to also do a background check of their staff so that the vulnerable group does not become a prey to such personnel while also ensuring the staff emotional security.
He maintained that NGOs need cyber security which requires keeping their information and online data safe from hackers and cyber threats which encompasses network, digital, data and privacy protection.
“We need to protect whatever thing is of value to us. Measures at ensuring this include proper monitoring and managing of your computer network by having the right fire-wall and anti -virus installed and regular scans, to ensure their effectiveness and avoidance of spam emails.”
Oyeniran implored NGOs to include first-aid in their programmes as part of the curricular for their staff, as he called on the civil society to collaborate with the police and give better representation by talking to government at all levels.
In their separate remarks, participants at the training during the interactive session, a peak time at the programme, called for sustainable synergy between the NGOS, communities, police and other prime stakeholders for more robust and impactful social gains.
The one day extraordinary and proactive programme drew participants from the academia, communities, civil society, law enforcement agencies and the press.