M-R: State Commandant, NSCDC, Akwa Ibom State Command, Commandant Eluwade Eluyemi, Deputy Commandant Emmanuel Peters and PGC Summit Planning Committee members
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Akwa Ibom State Command, has held its first Private Guard Companies (PGC) Stakeholders Summit, with a call on participants to give PGCs all the support they need to contribute to strengthening the security architecture of Akwa Ibom State and indeed the country.
The summit with the theme: “Combating the Security Challenges in Akwa Ibom State, had the Commissioner for Internal Security, Gen. Koko Essien (Rtd) deliver a Keynote address.
NSCDC Commandant Eluyemi Eluwade, while setting the tone for the summit in his welcome address, emphasized the strategic roles PGCs play in intelligence gathering, and promptly escalating information to government security agencies for timely response.
He added that private guards are ubiquitous and can be found in
banks, supermarkets, malls, churches, companies, schools, hospitals, estates and even homes; offering valuable services and covering grounds that government security agencies cannot cover.
Commandant Eluwade therefore, called on Nigerians to patronise licensed PGCs rather than untrained quacks to render basic security duties to them because of the values they bring to the security system.
In his lecture, the Guest Speaker, Gen Godwin G. Umo (Rtd), examined the perspectives from which PGCs contribute to combating insecurity in Akwa Ibom State.
The former Nigerian Ambassador to the Vatican City opined that security challenges could be solved when government at all levels strive manfully towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) of the United Nations.
Dr. Christopher Inwang espoused the correlation between good emoluments paid to guards and the quality of service rendered, stating that the nexus is quite strong.
On his part, Mr Stanley Nsofor discussed the challenges of PGCs in the country and proffered solutions, calling on participants and security agencies to encourage PGCs to continue to contribute their little quota to national security.
Heads of security agencies such as the FRSC, NDLEA, Nigeria Army, Nigeria Police, DSS, ICPC, FFS, Nigeria Immigration, Nigeria Corrections and Vigilante group who participated in the summit, took turns to give goodwill messages on the theme of the summit.
Long-Service awards were given to the Chairmen of Safeway Security, Obong Obot Etukafia and Irongate Security, Brig. Gen A.E Etukudo (Rtd) for over 3 decades of quality service.
Security Impact awards were given to Prof Emem Bassey, CMD, University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, and Dr Andy Eyo, CEO of Excellent Community Education Welfare Scheme for their contributions to security in the state.
While giving a vote of thanks, the Head of Department, Private Guard Companies of NSCDC Akwa lbom State Command, Deputy Commandant Emmanuel E. Peters, appreciated the planning committee chairman and other members for putting up such an impactful summit.
NSCDC Deputy Commandant Peters also appreciated stakeholders for their immense contributions and support to the private security industry in Akwa lbom State, noting that the success achieved couldn’t have been recorded if they were not part of the programme.
