Why I can’t forget former President Buhari – Ex-EFCC Chairman, Farida Waziri

By: Michael Mike

Former Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs. Farida Waziri has paid glowing tributes to late former President Muhammadu Buhari, expressing why she can never forget the role he played in her life.

According to her, “The passing of former President Muhammadu Buhari has touched the hearts of millions across our nation. It is a solemn reminder that no matter the trials and complexities of life, a man will be remembered, indeed, by the values he steadfastly upheld.

“In President Buhari, Nigeria witnessed a man whose life was shaped by discipline, defined by incorruptibility, and anchored in an unwavering commitment to truth.
From his early days as a military ruler to his democratic tenure as President, his devotion to the fight against corruption remained undimmed. He was resolute in his pursuit of integrity in public service, even when it meant walking a lonely road. His personal conduct spoke louder than rhetoric: he lived modestly, acted justly, and held himself to a higher standard.

“I pay tribute to him not only as a public servant but as one whose principled actions touched my own life. In a system where justice is often elusive, President Buhari stood firm for what was right. It was under his leadership that the injustice done to me, by the denial of my rightful retirement rank as Assistant Inspector General of Police, was rectified. That act alone spoke volumes of his character: he recognised truth, and he acted on it.

“President Buhari may have departed this world, but his legacy of moral strength and relentless anti-corruption crusade will echo through generations. May history remember him kindly—as a soldier, a statesman, and above all, a man of integrity. May his soul find peaceful repose.”

Why I can’t forget former President Buhari – Ex-EFCC Chairman, Farida Waziri

NSCDC Trains 250 Personnel in Sign Language to Boost Intelligence Gathering, Security of Nation’s Capital

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has trained 250 personnel in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja command in non-verbal communication skills (sign language) to boost intelligence gathering and further combat insecurity in the country’s capital.

The five-week training programme in sign language organised by the FCT command, NSCDC highlights the importance of capacity building by the leadership for effective security service delivery. This followed recent training of hundreds of personnel in weapon handling.

Speaking at the graduation ceremony, the FCT Commandant, NSCDC, Dr. Olusola Odumosu while commending the graduands said the move is in tandem with his mission and vision of making the nation’s capital a safer place for all to inhabit.

Odumosu said the initiative is meant to bridge the communication gap between our personnel and every members of the society.

He noted that the training enhances not only our service delivery but also strengthens our intelligence-gathering capacity, particularly in cases involving vulnerable communities, adding that: “Afterall, in the 21st-century security environment, inclusion is not a privilege — it is a necessity.”

He said: “By acquiring this foundational knowledge, we are empowered to better serve and respond to security needs of our various communities without leaving anyone behind, and we wll leverage on this skill to entertain complaints, carry out interrogations, and gather intelligence without relying on interpreters.

“As we look to the future, I am optimistic that our commitment to inclusive security will contribute significantly to building a safer, more secure Federal Capital Territory. Remember, your efforts will not only impact your work but will also change lives and perceptions within our society.

“Our journey towards becoming a more inclusive and people-focused agency would not have been possible without the unflinching support of our Commandant General, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni. Sir, your confidence in this command, your encouragement, and your vision have served as both compass and catalyst for all we have achieved so far. We say thank you, and we remain committed to upholding the ideals and objectives of the Corps.”

Odumosu while congratulating the officer, said by acquiring these essential skills, “you are equipped to bridge communication gaps and ensure that every citizen, regardless of their ability in all the six (6) Area Councils of the FCT, feels a sense of safety and belonging in our society.”

Speaking at the occasion, Executive Secretary, National Commission for Persons with Disability, Chief Ayuba Burkin Gufwan, described the training of security personnel in sign language as not only a step in the right direction,” but a clear demonstration of the Corps’ commitment to inclusive service delivery and to safeguarding the rights of all Nigerians, most especially the hearing impaired persons and Persons with Disabilities at large.”

He urged the NSCDC to mainstream sign language training across all her formation and commands, and hoped that other security agencies will follow suit and replicate across Nigeria.

He insisted that: ”However, inclusion in security must not stop at communication alone. I use this opportunity to respectfully call on the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to employ trained deaf individual to the corps as well as give full effect to the 5% employment quota for Persons with Disabilities in your organisation.

“This is stipulated in the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018 and also captioned in the Public Service Rules (Revised 2021).

“The Commission stands ready to support the NSCDC and all other security agencies with technical assistance, capacity building, and strategic partnerships to strengthen inclusion agenda. We are confident that the Corps can set a national example in upholding the values of accessibility, representation, and fairness.”

On his part, Founder, Deaf-in-Tetch, Arowolo Ayoola said the event is a standard of justice for persons with disabilities.

NSCDC Trains 250 Personnel in Sign Language to Boost Intelligence Gathering, Security of Nation’s Capital

Security: ECOWAS Deliberates on Training Policy for Standby Force

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has began the final move to put a standby force in place to combat insecurity in West Africa with the commencement of deliberations on the training policy to be adopted for the force.

At the meeting in Abuja were security experts and technocrats from 12 ECOWAS member states.

The ECOWAS standby force which was activated to address the rising insecurity in the sub-region is yet to be fully active, though it has already established a depot for deployment of soldiers for peace support operations.

The regional force, which is expected to comprise 5,000 troops, is part of a broader regional security strategy to also curb terrorism and cross-border crimes.

Speaking at the opening of the government experts’ validation meeting on the ECOWAS standby force training policy for peace support operations, the Acting Director of Peacekeeping and Regional Security, Dr. Sani Adamu said the rapidly changing nature of threats and conflicts has necessitated dynamic and adaptive approach to training.

He said the training policy aims to emphasise not only the combat readiness but also conflict prevention, civilian protection, human rights observance, and post-conflict rehabilitation.

He added that: “Today, as we focus our attention on the development implementation of the ECOWAS Standby force training policy, we recognize the significance of this initiative in addressing the complex, dynamic challenges of Peacekeeping in West Africa.

“This policy is not only a guide but a comprehensive framework designed to enhance the skills, coordination, and readiness of our standby force, ensuring they are trained adequately to manage and resolve conflicts.”

He stressed that: “ As we refine the operational readiness and effectiveness of the EST, we must recognise that true security is not only about arms and strategy, but it is also about leveraging our collective strengths and resources to foster a sustainable peace and security.”

On the draft validation, he appealed to the experts to “actively participate, share your perspectives, and help refine this policy to ensure that it meets the high standards we envisioned. Our commitment today will pave the way for actionable strategies and tangible outcomes in the field.”

By effecting ECOWAS standby force, therefore, we continue to support not just immediate crisis response, but also long-term peace-building initiatives, creating the conditions necessary for economic development and social progress across our region.

“This is an investment in our future, a future where the next generation can continue to grow up in a world free from fear of conflict.”

In his remarks, Coordinator, Peace Support Operations, Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence, Major General Umar Abubakar, said that the session was designed to bring about experts to discuss the training policy, which will set the stage for the activation of ECOWAS’ standby force by member states.

He said: “The main aim of this training policy was to ensure a consistent and effective training of the troops that will form up the ECOWAS’ standby force.

“This training comprises both education training, individual training and collective training and military exercise.”

He noted that at the end of the two-day draft session, the meeting is expected to validate the training policy draft for peace support operations in the region.

Abubakar said: “Essentially, at the end of this meeting, we are expected to validate the draft training policy, which, like I said earlier, will set the stage for the activation and operationalisation of the ECOWAS’ standby force.”

Representative of Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), a German development agency, Mrs. Yvonne Akpasom, stressed the importance of a well crafted training policy for ECOWAS peacekeeping personnel.

Akpasom said: “A well-crafted training policy is essential because it ensures that ECOWAS’ personnel are adequately prepared to respond effectively to the conflict, security, and challenges that affect the region. It provides a clear framework for training, peace, programme design, delivery, and continuous personnel development, which are all crucial for operational readiness and rapid deployment of the standby policy on the ground.”

She stressed that the ECOWAS’ Peace, Security and Governance Project funded by the German agency for development, GIZ primarily focuses on five key areas, including conflict prevention and crisis management, strengthening a secure, democratic, and human rights-based environment within the context of security sectors reform and governance, electoral support and democratic transition, women, youth, peace, and security, and strengthening ECOWAS’ training infrastructure.
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