The Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience, OSPRE, has conducted a capacity-building programme aimed at strengthening early warning, response, and resilience at the local government level in Anambra and Benue States.
The initiative, known as the Safety, Peace, and Resilience in Communities, SPARCS, programme, has trained participants from Awka South and Idemili North LGAs in Anambra State, as well as Oju and Vandeikya LGAs in Benue State.
The Programme Manager, Hafsah Matazu, said the training covered early warning systems, emergency preparedness, response strategies, gender security, and data gathering and analysis.
The said participants included representatives from local government secretariats, community vigilance groups, federal and state security agencies, women and youth organisations.
It said the participants were also equipped with essential tools, including training manuals, computers, mobile phones, flashlights, whistles, and digital data-gathering devices.
Speaking at the two events in Awka and Makurdi, the Director General of OSPRE, Mr. Chris Ngwodo, highlighted that the SPARCS workshop was an extension of the Concord Initiative, the agency’s flagship peacebuilding programme.
Mr. Ngwodo reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to sustainable peace at the grassroots, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision to strengthen local governance.
He also expressed gratitude to Neem Foundation and the Integrated Security Fund for their support and pledged OSPRE’s continued partnership with local and state governments to enhance community resilience.
Call for Sustained Engagement
Participants and stakeholders praised the initiative and called for further engagement to consolidate its impact.
Mr. John Tsuwa, Director of the Centre for Peace and Development Studies at Benue State University, commended OSPRE’s proactive approach.
“OSPRE has led a decisive and comprehensive strategy in mobilizing critical stakeholders in early warning to identify, report, and engage community challenges,” said Mr. Tsuwa.
In Anambra State, key officials, including Mayor of Awka South LGA, Prince Chinedu Okafor, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi (rtd) and the Anambra State Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, expressed their appreciation for the initiative.
They emphasized the importance of early warning systems in identifying tensions, grievances, and potential conflict indicators for timely intervention by security agencies.
Recall that OSPRE, also known as the National Centre for the Coordination of Early Warning and Response Mechanisms, was established in 2022 under ECOWAS instruments.
It is dedicated to promoting a culture of preparedness and resilience across Nigeria’s strategic institutions and communities.
With initiatives like SPARCS, OSPRE continues to play a vital role in enhancing Nigeria’s capacity to prevent, mitigate, and respond to conflicts at the grassroots level.
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