…Renew Pledge to Unity, Merit and Patriotism

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR, and Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, led political, military, traditional and religious leaders in a solemn national tribute to Nigeria’s first Military Head of State, late Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, at the 60th Memorial Anniversary held at the Aguiyi-Ironsi Conference Centre and International Conference Centre, Umuahia.

The event drew dignitaries from across the country to honour the legacy of a leader described as a courageous patriot who made the ultimate sacrifice for Nigeria’s unity and stability.

President Tinubu was represented by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, Rtd.

In his address, the President described Major-General Aguiyi-Ironsi as a patriot whose life was dedicated to the progress and unity of Nigeria, and who assumed leadership at a time of immense political uncertainty.

“Nigeria remains grateful for the invaluable sacrifices made by your distinguished son, husband, and father in the service of our fatherland.
General Aguiyi-Ironsi was an outstanding professional soldier whose military career was marked by disciplined courage, loyalty, and commitment to duty.
His assumption of leadership came at a time when Nigeria faced immense political uncertainty and national anxiety. Although his tenure was brief, he demonstrated a firm commitment to preserving national unity, restoring stability and maintaining the integrity of the Nigerian State,”_ Tinubu stated.

The President added that the values of patriotism, discipline, selfless service, integrity and national unity which Aguiyi-Ironsi exemplified “remain as relevant today as they were 60 years ago.”

General Musa also commended Governor Otti’s leadership
“His Excellency, our hardworking Governor, I want to say a very big thank you for all the good works you have been doing. You have set a standard of governance… without any noise, and things continue to change. We appreciate you, sir. I’m looking forward to coming to celebrate during your inauguration for the second term.”

In his address,the host Governor, Dr Alex Otti called for greater national cohesion and merit-based leadership, describing the late Head of State as a selfless leader whose sacrifice should continue to inspire generations.

“We came here to celebrate a man who gave his life for the rest of us. Personally, I believe we are better off as one country, connected and working together, than divided,” Gov. Otti declared.

He said Aguiyi-Ironsi’s willingness to lay down his life demonstrated uncommon patriotism and emphasized the need for Nigeria to remain one indivisible nation united by a common purpose.

The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to meritocracy, noting that appointments in Abia are based on competence, integrity and capacity rather than state of origin. He cited the appointment of an Edo State indigene as Abia Head of Service as proof.

Gov. Otti also paid tribute to Chief Obasanjo as a father and mentor, and to Dame Patience Jonathan, announcing that Abia will join in celebrating Chief Obasanjo’s 90th birthday on March 5, 2027.

In separate goodwill messages, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Chief of Army Staff ,General Azubuike Ihejirika (Rtd), and former First Lady Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan described the memorial as a fitting tribute to a distinguished patriot who paid the supreme price in active service.

They commended Governor Otti for supporting initiatives that promote national unity, peace and historical remembrance, and urged Nigerians to remain united and uphold the values for which the late military leader stood.

They maintained that honouring heroes like Aguiyi-Ironsi would inspire future generations to embrace selfless service and unwavering commitment to Nigeria’s unity.

Presenting the citation, the late General’s daughter, Mrs. Louisa Aguiyi-Ironsi, described her father as a true nationalist whose leadership was anchored on discipline, meritocracy, patriotism and the professionalisation of the Armed Forces.

She said the wreath-laying was “a solemn tribute to honour a life devoted to the service of Nigeria and to preserve the legacy of a leader who made the ultimate sacrifice for national unity.”

“This gathering is not intended for mere performance of ceremonial rites. Today, we do not assemble to reopen old debates nor to magnify historical divisions. This commemoration therefore serves a dual purpose. First, it stands as a solemn tribute to his personal sacrifice and steadfast commitment to a united Nigeria. Second, it is a clarion call to present and future leaders to draw inspiration from that commitment. The Nigerian aspiration must be anchored on justice, accountability, discipline, and the collective good,”_ she stated.

Louisa also paid glowing tribute to the late Lieutenant Colonel Adekunle Fajuyi, describing his loyalty and sacrifice as enduring symbols of courage and national service.

Speaking on behalf of the family, former Minister of Defence and first son, Ambassador Thomas Aguiyi-Ironsi, expressed profound appreciation to President Tinubu and Governor Otti.

He commended the Abia Government for renovating the gravesite and supporting the event, and noted that Governor Otti “has performed exceptionally well in governance and deserves a second term in office.”

Relatives earlier appealed to Nigerians to reflect on Aguiyi-Ironsi’s contributions and assess his legacy with fairness and historical objectivity, urging citizens to uphold patriotism, peaceful coexistence and national integration.

The ceremony reached its emotional peak with prayers and consecration of the tomb by the Bishop of Umuahia Catholic Diocese, Most Rev. Michael Kalu Ukpong, alongside other clergy.

This was followed by the laying of wreaths by the President’s representative, Governor Otti, representative of Governor Charles Soludo, Commissioner Dr. Law Mefor, Dame Patience Jonathan, and other dignitaries.

Other dignitaries present included: Abia Deputy Governor Engr. Ikechukwu Emetu;  representatives of the National Assembly; Archbishops and other Clergy; heads of federal agencies, traditional rulers, military officers and other distinguished guests.

The ceremony ended with a renewed national call for unity, peaceful coexistence, patriotism and selfless leadership as enduring values exemplified by Major General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi.

In furtherance of the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening internal security through continuous manpower development and the adoption of modern technology, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, has commenced A5-day Strategic Capacity-Building Workshop for senior officers on “Technological Advancement in Security Management.”

The workshop, which commenced on Tuesday, 28th July and will conclude on Thursday, 30th July, 2026, is holding at Harriet Hotel, Umuahia, with participants drawn from the State Command Headquarters, Area Commands and Divisional Offices across the seventeen Local Government Areas of Abia State.

The intensive training programme focuses on modern security management, intelligence gathering, criminal investigation, prosecution, threat assessment, drone technology, wireless communication systems, digital evidence management, artificial intelligence applications, inter-agency collaboration and other contemporary security strategies designed to improve operational effectiveness and service delivery.

Declaring the workshop open, the State Commandant of the NSCDC, Chukwuemeka N. Odimba, described the training as a significant milestone in the Command’s determination to build a highly professional, technologically driven and intelligence-based workforce capable of responding effectively to evolving security threats.

Commandant Odimba noted that insecurity has become increasingly sophisticated due to technological advancement and changing criminal tactics, stressing that security personnel must continuously update their knowledge and operational skills in order to remain ahead of criminal elements.

He explained that the workshop was carefully designed to expose participants to emerging trends in security management while improving their capacity in intelligence gathering, surveillance, criminal investigation, prosecution, risk assessment, cyber-supported policing, drone operations and wireless communication technology.

According to him, modern security management can no longer rely solely on conventional methods but must embrace digital innovations, intelligence-driven operations and effective collaboration among security agencies to achieve sustainable peace and public safety.

The State Commandant expressed profound appreciation to the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, for his visionary leadership, unwavering commitment to personnel development and sustained investment in training and retraining of officers across the country.

He equally appreciated the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, OFR, for his unwavering support to the Command and other security agencies, describing the Governor as a strong advocate of security collaboration whose administration has continued to provide the enabling environment for effective security operations throughout the state.

Commandant Odimba urged participants to give maximum attention to every lecture and practical session throughout the workshop, reminding them that the programme was designed as a “train-the-trainer” initiative. He charged them to transfer the knowledge acquired to officers and personnel under their respective commands immediately after the training.

He disclosed that certificates would be presented to all participants upon successful completion of the workshop and expressed confidence that the exercise would greatly improve professionalism, operational efficiency and service delivery across the Command.

Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the Commandant General, the Zonal Commander, Zone 5 Headquarters, Owerri, Dr. Ahmed Ahmed Gandi, conveyed the sincere apologies of Professor Ahmed Abubakar Audi for his inability to attend the programme due to unavoidable official engagements.

According to Dr. Gandi, the Commandant General had originally intended to personally declare the workshop open, a development which clearly demonstrates the high premium the Corps’ leadership places on continuous capacity building and professional development.

Presenting the goodwill message of the Commandant General, Dr. Gandi stated that today’s security environment demands a new generation of officers equipped not only with courage and discipline but also with technological competence, analytical skills, emotional intelligence and professional ethics.

He noted that criminal activities have become increasingly complex and technology-driven, making continuous education indispensable for every security professional.

The Commandant General explained that the workshop would equip officers with updated knowledge in intelligence gathering, intelligence analysis, criminal investigation, prosecution, digital evidence management, drone deployment, artificial intelligence, integrated communication systems, risk assessment and modern operational planning.

He stressed that effective security management is no longer measured solely by physical strength or the use of force but by intelligence-led operations, professionalism, teamwork, strategic communication, emotional control and the ability to make sound operational decisions under pressure.

Professor Audi further observed that modern security institutions across the world are gradually migrating from isolated operational systems to integrated security management platforms that combine surveillance cameras, access control systems, alarm monitoring, intelligence databases, incident reporting and advanced analytics into a single operational framework.

According to him, artificial intelligence has become an indispensable tool for processing huge volumes of intelligence reports, reducing false alarms, identifying emerging threats and supporting faster operational decision-making.

He explained that mobile operational applications now enable field officers to verify patrol activities, submit incident reports in real time and maintain seamless communication with command centres.

The Commandant General also highlighted the growing importance of digital evidence in criminal investigations, noting that mobile phone records, location data, messaging logs, digital footprints and forensic documentation have become vital tools in successful criminal prosecution.

He maintained that the increasing use of technology in criminal justice administration requires investigators to maintain proper chain of custody, standardised evidence management and internationally acceptable forensic procedures.

Professor Audi further identified drones as one of the most valuable assets in modern security operations, particularly in aerial surveillance, search-and-rescue missions, disaster response, intelligence gathering, protection of critical national assets and rapid deployment during emergencies.

He equally underscored the importance of secure wireless communication systems capable of supporting real-time information sharing between operational teams, command centres and other security agencies.

The Commandant General reaffirmed that the Corps remains committed to supporting the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, particularly in the area of strengthening national security through innovation, institutional reforms, inter-agency collaboration and continuous human capacity development.

He also commended the Government of Abia State for its unwavering support to security agencies, noting that Governor Alex Otti’s commitment to improving security has significantly enhanced operational effectiveness and public confidence across the state.

Professor Audi encouraged participants to actively participate in every session, ask questions, exchange professional experiences and ensure that the knowledge acquired translates into practical improvements in their respective commands.

He officially declared the Strategic Capacity-Building Workshop open and expressed confidence that the training would produce officers capable of delivering more efficient, intelligence-driven and technology-oriented security services.

In his goodwill message, the Commander of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Abia State Command, Commander of Narcotics Leonard Nnamdi, congratulated the NSCDC for organising what he described as a timely and highly strategic workshop.

He observed that organised crime, illicit drug trafficking and other emerging security threats have become increasingly sophisticated, making technological innovation and continuous personnel training indispensable.

According to him, no single security agency can effectively address contemporary security challenges without strong collaboration, intelligence sharing and coordinated operations.

Commander Nnamdi reaffirmed the commitment of the NDLEA to sustaining its robust partnership with the NSCDC and other security agencies towards safeguarding lives and property in Abia State.

Also delivering a goodwill message, Prince Uzor Nwachukwu commended the foresight of the NSCDC leadership in organising the workshop and stressed the importance of integrating drone technology, wireless communication and intelligence gathering into daily security operations.

He reaffirmed the readiness of stakeholders to continue collaborating with the Corps in promoting peace, public safety and sustainable development across the state.

Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, retired Navy Commodore MacDonald Rit Ubah, applauded the NSCDC for its professionalism and resilience in complementing other security agencies in maintaining peace and security throughout Abia State.

He disclosed that the effective collaboration among security agencies under the administration of Governor Alex Otti has contributed significantly to the remarkable improvement in the security situation across the state.

Commander Ubah urged participants to maximise the opportunity provided by the workshop and ensure that the knowledge acquired is replicated across Area Commands, Divisions and operational formations in order to strengthen institutional capacity.

Speaking with the Press,shortly after the opening ceremony, the Zonal Commander, Dr. Ahmed Ahmed Gandi, expressed satisfaction with the level of participation, discipline and enthusiasm displayed by officers attending the workshop.

He described the security situation in Abia and Imo States as greatly improved compared to previous years and attributed the progress to sustained collaboration among the NSCDC, the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the NDLEA and other security agencies.

Dr. Gandi reaffirmed that effective inter-agency synergy remains one of the strongest strategies for combating insecurity across the federation.

He further commended the leadership of the Abia State Command under Commandant Chukwuemeka N. Odimba, describing him as a hardworking and result-oriented officer whose commitment continues to attract commendation from both the Corps’ leadership and the Abia State Government.

The workshop is expected to produce a new generation of highly skilled officers equipped with modern technological knowledge capable of enhancing intelligence gathering, criminal investigation, digital evidence management, prosecution, drone deployment, emergency response, protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, and overall operational efficiency.

The initiative further demonstrates the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to professionalism, innovation, technological advancement, continuous manpower development and effective service delivery in line with its statutory mandate and the Federal Government’s vision of building a safer, more secure and technologically advanced Nigeria.

Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu
FIC Correspondent, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)
28th July 2026.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture .

This mandate is encouraged through effective regulation of private security operations, improved professionalism and enhanced collaboration with licensed Private Guard Companies (PGCs) across the state.

The State Commandant, NSCDC Abia State Command, Commandant Chukwuemeka Odimba Nicholson, made this known during the 2026 Private Guard Companies Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum held at the Command Headquarters in Umuahia.

The forum, themed “Operational Efficiency: Strengthening Regulation, Effective Management of Private Guard Companies.

Addressing Emerging Security Challenges and Enhancing Service Delivery,” brought together private security operators, industry stakeholders and senior officers of the Corps to chart a new course for effective private security management in Abia State.

Commandant Odimba said the engagement underscores the Federal Government’s determination, through the NSCDC, to strengthen regulatory compliance, improve operational standards and ensure that all licensed private guard companies strictly adhere to established laws, professional ethics and best practices in the discharge of their responsibilities.

He explained that the forum was organised to deepen cooperation between the NSCDC and private security operators, address emerging security challenges, enhance service delivery and reinforce the strategic role of private security companies as partners in safeguarding lives and property, intelligence gathering, surveillance, access control and crime prevention.

The Commandant stressed that with the evolving security landscape, including the emergence of state policing initiatives and other community-based security structures, private guard companies must reposition themselves through continuous training, discipline, improved staff welfare, adoption of modern security technologies and strict compliance with regulatory requirements.

Expressing concern over the low level of intelligence reports from private security operators despite their presence in banks, schools, hotels, residential estates and other strategic locations, he urged operators to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible intelligence to security agencies, assuring them that such information would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Commandant Odimba,however, directed all private guard companies operating in Abia State to renew expired licences, complete their documentation with the NSCDC and register with the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Abia State Chapter, on or before the end of July 2026.

He warned that enforcement operations would commence immediately after the deadline, with defaulters liable to arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.

Delivering the keynote address, the Head of the Private Guard Companies Department, Deputy Commandant Simon Azubuike Okere, described the private security industry as an indispensable partner in Nigeria’s security framework, complementing conventional security agencies by protecting businesses, financial institutions, educational and healthcare facilities, residential estates and other critical national assets.

He identified professionalism, accountability, quality training, ethical conduct, technological innovation, regulatory compliance, effective supervision and intelligence gathering as critical pillars for efficient private security operations, urging operators to prioritise personnel welfare, discipline and innovation.

Speaking on behalf of the Association of Licensed Private Security Practitioners of Nigeria (ALPSPN), Abia State Chapter, the Chairman, Chief Ndubuisi Iheanacho, commended the NSCDC for organising the forum and reaffirmed the association’s commitment to supporting the Federal and State Governments in protecting lives and property through intelligence sharing, professionalism and effective collaboration with security agencies.

The forum concluded with participants resolving to strengthen partnership with the NSCDC, train personnel on the resolutions reached, uphold professional standards and ensure full regulatory compliance. Private guard companies were also directed to present samples of their official uniforms at the next stakeholders’ meeting for inspection.

The stakeholders’ engagement further demonstrated the pivotal role of the NSCDC as the Federal Government’s regulatory authority for the private security industry, reinforcing its mandate of promoting professionalism, accountability and coordinated security management in support of national peace, public safety and sustainable development.

Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu.
FIC Correspondent: Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps
NSCDC
15th July 2026.