IPCR Trains 19 Professionals, Pushes Practical Peacebuilding Across Nigeria

By: Michael Mike

The Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) has urged newly trained professionals to translate their knowledge of negotiation and mediation into concrete actions that will promote peace and stability across Nigeria.

The call was made at the close of a three-week Strategic Course on Negotiation and Mediation (Chartered), held at the National Peace Academy in Abuja, where 19 participants were formally inducted as Members of the Peace Institute (MPI).

Speaking on behalf of the Director-General of IPCR, Joseph Ochogwu, the Director of Finance and Accounts, Sunday Daji, emphasized that peacebuilding is not accidental but the result of conscious daily efforts and effective communication.

He noted that many conflicts begin from simple misunderstandings that escalate due to poor communication, stressing that the skills acquired during the training must be applied in real-life situations.

“Peace is built through our everyday interactions and decisions. Negotiation is not a sign of weakness but a reflection of wisdom, courage, and leadership,” he said.

He also pointed to the participation of officers from the Nigerian Immigration Service as evidence of a growing shift within Nigeria’s security architecture toward preventive and dialogue-driven approaches to conflict resolution.

According to him, achieving lasting peace requires more than enforcement, adding that public institutions must embrace mediation and dialogue as critical tools in managing disputes.

Participants at the training described the programme as impactful and transformative. Speaking on behalf of the cohort, SA Ibrahim said the journey, though initially demanding, proved deeply rewarding.

“What lies ahead is something money cannot buy. We are leaving here not just as participants, but as peace ambassadors committed to making a difference,” she said.

Earlier, the Director of the National Peace Academy, Emmanuel Mmam, commended the participants for their discipline and engagement, describing them as one of the most outstanding groups trained by the institute.

He cautioned against prioritizing certificates over impact, urging them to put their knowledge into practice in their workplaces and communities.

“Knowledge that is not applied is as good as not having it,” he said, while encouraging continued collaboration with the institute to strengthen national peace efforts.

The training programme focused on core areas such as conflict management, workplace reconciliation, and advanced negotiation and mediation strategies, equipping participants with the tools needed to support Nigeria’s evolving peacebuilding framework.

IPCR Trains 19 Professionals, Pushes Practical Peacebuilding Across Nigeria

Eid-al-Fitr: NSCDC Mobilises 53,500 Operatives Nationwide for Security of Lives and Property

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria is tightening its internal security grid ahead of the forthcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations, with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) announcing a sweeping nationwide deployment of more than 53,500 operatives.

The directive, issued by the Commandant General, Ahmed Audi is aimed at pre-empting security threats and ensuring a peaceful atmosphere before, during, and after the festivities. The deployment spans all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, underscoring the scale of the operation.

Security presence is to be significantly heightened at identified flashpoints, including Eid prayer grounds, mosques, churches, shopping centres, motor parks, and recreational hubs. The Corps is adopting a dual-layer strategy that combines visible policing with covert intelligence operations to deter criminal elements and swiftly neutralize any emerging threats.

Field commanders across zones and states have been instructed to take full control of their operational environments, with clear orders to intensify patrols and maintain constant surveillance. The NSCDC leadership is also pushing for deeper inter-agency collaboration, emphasizing intelligence sharing and rapid response mechanisms as critical to maintaining order during the festive period.

Audi, while reaffirming the Corps’ readiness, stressed that security is a collective responsibility. He urged citizens to remain alert and cooperate with law enforcement agencies by reporting suspicious activities. He also appealed to parents and guardians to guide young people away from actions that could disrupt public peace.

In a further show of readiness, specialized units—including the Commandant General’s Special Intelligence Squad, Crack Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Female Squad, and Special Forces—have been placed on high alert. These units have been specifically tasked with responding decisively to any threats posed by criminal or subversive elements.

The large-scale mobilization reflects growing efforts by security agencies to stay ahead of potential risks during major national celebrations. With millions expected to travel and gather across the country, authorities say the operation is designed not only to prevent incidents but also to reassure citizens of their safety.

The NSCDC promised its continued commitment to protecting lives, property, and critical infrastructure, while calling on Nigerians to support security efforts to ensure a hitch-free celebration nationwide.

Eid-al-Fitr: NSCDC Mobilises 53,500 Operatives Nationwide for Security of Lives and Property

NIMC Targets Diaspora Expansion as Tinubu’s UK Visit Boosts Digital Identity Drive

By: Michael Mike

Nigeria’s push to build a robust and inclusive digital identity system has gained fresh momentum, as the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) unveiled plans to significantly expand National Identification Number (NIN) enrolment among citizens living abroad.

The development comes on the heels of the ongoing state visit of Bola Tinubu the United Kingdom, where top government officials, including NIMC Director-General Abisoye Coker-Odusote, are leveraging high-level engagements to deepen cooperation in digital innovation and identity management.

While the visit, hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, carries strong diplomatic symbolism, it is also serving as a springboard for concrete policy actions, particularly in bridging identity gaps for millions of Nigerians in the diaspora.

A statement on Wednesday by the Head, Corporate Communications, National Identity Management Commission, Dr. Kayode Adegoke read that at the centre of NIMC’s renewed push is an aggressive expansion of NIN enrolment infrastructure across the UK, widely regarded as one of the largest hubs of Nigerian migrants.

He said the plan includes opening additional enrolment centres, streamlining verification processes, and deploying more efficient digital platforms to eliminate long-standing bottlenecks.

Coker-Odusote, speaking during engagements on the sidelines of the visit, stressed that the Commission is determined to remove barriers that have historically limited access to identity services for Nigerians overseas.

“We are taking deliberate steps to ensure that every Nigerian, regardless of location, can seamlessly obtain their NIN and access essential services tied to it,” she said, underscoring the Commission’s commitment to inclusivity.

The implications of the initiative are far-reaching. A functional and accessible NIN system is increasingly central to participation in Nigeria’s financial system, telecommunications services, and government programmes. For diaspora Nigerians, improved access means the ability to stay economically and administratively connected to the country without physical presence.

Industry observers note that the timing of the initiative is critical, as Nigeria accelerates its transition to a digitally driven economy where identity verification underpins everything from banking to social welfare delivery.

Back home, NIMC is mirroring its international expansion with a parallel grassroots strategy aimed at closing the identity gap within Nigeria. Through ward-level enrolment campaigns, the Commission is taking registration services directly to rural and underserved communities, reducing travel burdens and improving coverage among vulnerable populations.

The dual approach, global expansion and local penetration, signals a shift from policy ambition to execution, with identity infrastructure now firmly positioned as a cornerstone of governance and economic planning.

As Nigeria strengthens its diplomatic and economic ties with the UK, stakeholders noted that the integration of identity management into bilateral discussions reflects a broader recognition: in an increasingly digital world, national development is inseparable from the ability to accurately identify and connect citizens, wherever they may be

NIMC Targets Diaspora Expansion as Tinubu’s UK Visit Boosts Digital Identity Drive