From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The National Orientation Agency (NOA), has called on Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), in Kwara State, to take a more active role in tackling insecurity through community sensitisation and grassroots engagement.
Zonal Director of NOA, Dr. Priscilla Gondoaluor, made the appeal in Ilorin during an interactive session with CSO representatives themed “Working Together to Secure Nigeria for Greatness.”
Dr. Gondoaluor described insecurity as one of the biggest challenges undermining the nation’s progress despite its abundant resources.
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She said CSOs, as advocates for citizens’ welfare, must now extend their efforts to include security education and vigilance in their community programmes.
“CSOs are partners in nation-building, and we see them as critical players in rebuilding Nigeria’s moral and value system,” she said.
“We are urging CSOs to take responsibility by incorporating security awareness and training into their activities.
“Combating insecurity is everyone’s responsibility, and people must also be cautious about the information they share in public or on social media.”
Responding, the Convener of the Coalition of CSOs in Kwara, Mr. Abdurrahman Ayuba, said that while CSOs play a complementary role, the federal government bears the primary responsibility for addressing insecurity.
He identified illegal mining as a major driver of insecurity in the state and called for stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments to regulate the sector.
“Although mining is under the exclusive control of the federal government, states should be empowered to monitor and regulate activities of licensed miners within their territories,” Ayuba said.
“The government should also focus on youth empowerment to prevent them from being recruited into criminal activities.”
Mrs. Christy Abayomi, Executive Officer of Global Hope for Women and Children Foundation, observed that Kwara’s security situation worsened because early warning signs were ignored.
She assured that CSOs would continue to raise public awareness on security consciousness, noting that “no sector can thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity.”
Similarly, the Executive Director of Impact Driven Initiative for Sustainable Development, Dr. Razaq Isiaka, said insecurity persists because many offenders are not prosecuted, allowing others to act with impunity.
Other CSO leaders present reaffirmed their readiness to work with the government and security agencies to promote peace, safety, and development across Kwara State.
