By Willie Ugo, Gombe
Gombe Nigeria – 26, 2025
The Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) has successfully concluded a comprehensive capacity-building programme aimed at enhancing early warning systems, response mechanisms, and resilience at the grassroots level.
The initiative, part of the Safety, Peace, and Resilience in Communities (SPARCs) project, was carried out in partnership with the UK’s Integrated Security Fund and the Neem Foundation.
The programme targeted eight local government areas (LGAs) across Anambra, Benue, Katsina, and Plateau states, including Idemili North and Awka South in Anambra, Oju and Vandeikya in Benue, Batagarawa and Kurfi in Katsina, and Bokkos and Mangu in Plateau State.
The initiative brought together a diverse range of stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, local government officials, community vigilance groups, and representatives from security agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Immigration Service, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Speaking at an After-Action Review Forum, OSPRE’s Director General, Mr. Chris Ngwodo, emphasized the importance of embedding early warning and resilience structures within local governments, noting that “building peace starts from the ground up.”
He also thanked the UK Government for supporting the initiative and helping lay the foundation for safer communities.
The programme included a research component that assessed the existing community-based security mechanisms in the participating LGAs.
Through key informant interviews, OSPRE identified gaps in early warning and response systems, which helped tailor the training to local needs.
Topics covered in the training sessions included conflict prevention, emergency preparedness, gender-sensitive security, and data analysis.
As part of the programme, participants were equipped with training manuals, digital data collection tools, mobile phones, flashlights, and whistles to support their community-based early warning efforts.
The initiative was praised by several beneficiaries, including Abdullahi Ibrahim Lawal of the Katsina State Emergency Management Board, who commended the programme for fostering a culture of shared responsibility in maintaining security.
Dr. Julie Sanda, Director of the Plateau Peacebuilding Agency, also lauded the programme for strengthening the link between citizens and local government authorities.
Air Vice Marshal Ben Chiobi (rtd), the Special Adviser on Security to the Anambra State Governor, described the SPARCs programme as a “gamechanger” in integrating technology into community safety efforts.
OSPRE, which was established in 2022 under ECOWAS instruments, remains committed to promoting local governance, peace building, and long-term national stability through initiatives like SPARCs.
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