By NEXTER
As Nigeria continues to grapple with rising insecurity across multiple regions, the Citizens for Peace and First Aid Mission of Nigeria (CFPFAMN) has taken a proactive step by convening a week-long capacity-building workshop in Abuja aimed at strengthening community resilience and citizen participation in national security.
The workshop, themed “National Insecurity and Building Country/Community Resilience: Nexus for National Security,” brought together stakeholders, community leaders, and security-conscious citizens to explore grassroots solutions to the country’s growing security challenges.
In his opening address, the Commander General of CPFA-MN, Colonel gwe I. Amara (Rtd), he described Nigeria as being at a critical crossroads, facing threats ranging from insurgency in the North-East to banditry, kidnappings, and communal conflicts across other regions.
He referenced the enduring words of former Nigerian President , emphasizing national unity and collective responsibility: “This generation of Nigerians… have no other country but Nigeria. Let us come together to salvage it.”
Amara stressed that insecurity has not only led to loss of lives and property but has also weakened investor confidence and damaged Nigeria’s global image.
“The question before us is clear,” he said. “Do we surrender to these challenges, or do we rise together to confront them?”
According to the CFPFAMN Commander General, the workshop is designed to equip participants with practical skills in conflict management, emergency response, and community-based security awareness.
“Our goal is to empower ordinary Nigerians to become active participants in safeguarding their communities,” he added.
Speaking at the event, Core Brig. General Ita Nyong Chairman Planning Committee of the 2026 CFPFAMN Workshop Planning Committee praised the leadership of the Commander General Col. Amara rtd, noting that the organization has made measurable progress over the past two years.
He highlighted key achievements, including:Grassroots peace-building and conflict resolution; First aid and emergency response training Community-based security awareness campaigns; and Promotion of active citizenship in national development.
He noted that the anniversary celebration was intentionally aligned with national security concerns, stating that resilience remains a critical solution to Nigeria’s challenges.
“Resilience is built when citizens are informed, trained, and empowered,” he said.
Adding another dimension to the discussions, the organization’s Director of Information, Core Brigadier General Ambassador Sulaiman Abdulrasheed,, emphasized the critical role of traditional, religious, and community leaders in maintaining local security.
He called for a revival of traditional structures where community leaders—such as ward heads, imams, and pastors—were actively involved in monitoring movements within their communities.
According to him, such systems previously enabled early identification of suspicious individuals and timely reporting to authorities.
He urged Nigerians to restore respect for these institutions and encouraged stronger collaboration between communities and CPFA-MN to enhance security outcomes.
Participants at the workshop were encouraged to take ownership of security challenges and contribute meaningfully to national stability.
The event concluded with a strong call for unity, collaboration, and sustained citizen engagement in building a safer Nigeria.
As insecurity continues to test the nation’s resilience, initiatives like this workshop underscore a growing recognition that security is not solely the responsibility of government but a shared duty of all citizens
