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3,000 Man O’War officers undergo intensive training in readiness for safe sch engagement (Photos)

In a renewed demonstration of its commitment to strengthening community safety and supporting the implementation of the Safe School framework across Nigeria, approximately 3,000 officers and men of Man O’ War Nigeria from the 36 States, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Railway Commands are undergoing an intensive one-week capacity-building training at the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), Mountain School, Shere Hills, Jos, Plateau State.

The training forms part of the organisation’s readiness towards its proposed engagement in community-based Safe School interventions and is designed to strengthen the capacity of Man O’ War personnel to operate effectively within diverse environments and respond appropriately to emergencies and security-related challenges around schools and host communities.

The comprehensive exercise combines land-surface, waterway and hill-terrain training, exposing participants to practical situations that require physical endurance, teamwork, discipline, situational awareness and effective decision-making. The programme recognises that schools and vulnerable communities across Nigeria are situated within different geographical environments, requiring volunteers to possess adaptable skills for effective community engagement.

Participants are also undergoing physical conditioning and mental alertness exercises, aimed at improving endurance, resilience, concentration, rapid response and the ability to remain composed while managing challenging situations. The combination of physical and mental preparedness is intended to ensure that personnel are better equipped to support communities during emergencies and other situations requiring organised volunteer intervention.

The waterway component of the training provides participants with practical exposure to safety considerations in riverine and aquatic environments, particularly in recognition of the vulnerabilities faced by communities where waterways form part of the daily transportation routes for children and other residents.

Similarly, the land and hill-terrain exercises are designed to strengthen mobility, endurance, navigation, teamwork and operational awareness in difficult terrains. These exercises are particularly relevant to community-based interventions in areas where schools and settlements are located within challenging geographical environments.

Speaking on the significance of the training, the National Commander of Man O’ War Nigeria, NC Adedamola Gbenga mss, mipm, msr, fwip, stated that the organisation was strengthening its personnel because effective Safe School engagement requires volunteers who are physically prepared, mentally alert, disciplined and capable of working collaboratively with communities and relevant authorities.

He noted that the training goes beyond physical exercises, stressing that participants are being prepared to understand their communities, identify potential risks, promote preventive measures and support appropriate response mechanisms within the limits of their volunteer responsibilities.

The National Commander further explained that the nationwide structure of Man O’ War Nigeria provides an opportunity to take community-based safety awareness and resilience-building initiatives closer to schools and vulnerable communities. He emphasised that the organisation’s personnel would continue to work within established legal and institutional frameworks while supporting government agencies, security stakeholders and community structures.

The training also reinforces the importance of preparedness, early warning, community awareness, emergency response, leadership, discipline and collective responsibility in strengthening the safety of schools and their surrounding communities.

Man O’ War Nigeria recognises that school safety is a shared responsibility that requires sustained collaboration among government institutions, security agencies, educational authorities, parents, traditional institutions, community leaders, civil society organisations and responsible citizens.

The organisation therefore views the one-week training as an important step towards preparing its personnel for effective community engagement under the Safe School framework, particularly in vulnerable communities where environmental, security and emergency-response challenges may require additional preparedness.

The exercise further demonstrates Man O’ War Nigeria’s commitment to its core philosophy of building disciplined, responsible and resilient citizens capable of contributing positively to the safety and development of their communities.

At the conclusion of the training, the participants are expected to return to their respective State, FCT and Railway Commands with enhanced knowledge, physical preparedness, mental alertness and practical skills that can contribute to safer schools and more resilient communities across Nigeria.

Man O’ War Nigeria remains committed to strengthening its partnership with the Safe School Initiative, government institutions, security agencies and other relevant stakeholders in advancing a coordinated and community-based approach to school safety.

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Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has hailed his Osun State counterpart, Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, on his re-election, describing the victory as a triumph for democracy and the people of Osun State.

Makinde, who is also Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said Adeleke’s victory was a reward for his commitment to serving the people and delivering good governance.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media, Dr Sulaimon Olanrewaju, the governor commended Osun voters for demonstrating courage and determination in exercising their franchise despite what he described as violence and the use of federal power.

He urged Adeleke to see his re-election as an opportunity and encouragement to consolidate his achievements and deliver more development to the people of Osun State.

Makinde said the outcome of the election had once again demonstrated that power ultimately belongs to the people in a democracy.

“The results of the election proved again that the people reserve the absolute power in a democracy and that their movement will always triumph over all other considerations,” he said.

The governor also commended the people of Osun State for voting for their preferred candidate, saying their action demonstrated that the will of the electorate could prevail over political manoeuvring.

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Osun State Governor and candidate of the Accord Party, Ademola Adeleke, has thanked God and the people of the state following his victory in the governorship election, saying he expects the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to call and congratulate him.

Adeleke, speaking after the declaration of the election result, described his victory as a triumph for democracy and a reward from the people of Osun State for his administration’s achievements.

He thanked God for what he described as a successful election, saying the outcome reflected the people’s appreciation of his administration’s efforts in infrastructure, healthcare, security and other areas.

“I thank God Almighty for this victory. It’s a victory for democracy. Victory for Osun election,” Adeleke said.

According to him, the result was also a way for the people of Osun to repay his administration for its efforts in improving infrastructure, healthcare and security across the state.

He said: “The victory is a way Osun people is repaying me for the infrastructural developments, health, security and other things I have delivered for my people.”

Adeleke, who adopted a conciliatory tone after the election, said there was no victor and no vanquished, while expressing optimism that his main challenger would accept the outcome.

It’s no victor, no vanquish. I am expecting for the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to call me and congratulate me,” he said.

The governor also attributed his victory to his faith in God, saying, “I have a God who never fails.”

Adeleke further thanked President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a successful election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner of the election after he polled 511,067 votes, defeating Oyebamiji of the APC, who scored 444,815 votes.

Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11, giving the incumbent a 66,252-vote margin.