The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members have pledged to do everything within their reach to ensure a safer and more secured Nigeria.
The corp members made the pledge during a one-day training on small arms and light weapon control for the Northeast corps members organised by the National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) North East Zonal Center.
Speaking at the sidelines of the event, two corps members who spoke on behalf of others, Mercy Daniel and Longret Andrew, expressed their renewed commitment to working with their host communities toward a safer, more secure North East and Nigeria at large.
They acknowledged that the training was mind reawakening, adding that they were urged to carry the lessons learned to the communities they serve and become champions of an illicit arms-free society.
Earlier speaking, Rear Admiral S.A Mohammed, the North-East Zonal Coordinator, NCCSALW, said that the training is aimed to equip NYSC Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) Community Development Service members with the tools needed to lead efforts for the fight against the proliferation of small arms and light weapons across Northeast Nigeria.
Represented by the Zonal Arms Registrar, Colonel Sa’ad Ahmad (rtd), Mohammed added that the training is also aimed at equipping the corps members with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the challenges posed in their respective Places of Primary Assignment communities.
According to him, the proliferation of small arms and light weapons has devastating effects on the society ranging from fueling violent conflicts to undermining society’s hard-won peace, among others.
“It is imperative that awareness be created, as well as to develop effective strategies to mitigate the risks.
“The training is coming at a time when the issues surrounding small arms and light weapons management are more critical than ever, especially in Nigeria’s North East region.
“The workshop focuses on training these corps members to be advocates and educators within their communities by stressing the impact of illegal arms on regional security.
“Through interactive sessions and expert guidance, the trainees would gain insight into the strategies needed to foster peace and security and combat the dangers of illicit small arms and light weapons proliferation,” he said.
The event is titled 'Strategic Engagement: Train the Trainers’.
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