By Mercy Akuba
The Founder and President of Food, Education, and Shelter Foundation ( FESH Foundation,) Mr. Godwin Ogbebor, has unveiled a comprehensive Strategic Security Blueprint aimed at tackling insecurity across Nigeria through a community-based approach.
The policy document, which has received national approval, is designed to strengthen grassroots security systems, with Edo State selected as the pilot state for its implementation.
Mr. Ogbebor disclosed this during a Security Summit organized by the Foundation in Benin City, which brought together security personnel, policymakers, and key stakeholders to deliberate on sustainable solutions to insecurity.
He explained that Edo State was chosen as the pioneer state not only because of its strategic importance but also due to his personal connection to the state, expressing confidence in its capacity to successfully drive the initiative.
According to him, the blueprint emphasizes grassroots intelligence gathering and active community participation.
He noted that engaging about 70 percent of youths between the ages of 18 and 30 in structured security and intelligence operations at the ward level across the three senatorial districts would significantly reduce crime and enhance early threat detection.
Mr. Ogbebor further stressed that the success of the blueprint would depend on strong collaboration among security agencies and the active involvement of local communities in safeguarding their environment.
Speaking earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Strategic Development, Hon. Prince Kassim Afegbua, commended the FESH Foundation for its proactive approach but emphasized the need to incorporate “human infrastructure” and citizens’ patriotism into the framework.
Prince Afegbua argued that without a shift in citizens’ mindset and a strong sense of patriotism, efforts to combat insecurity may not yield the desired results.
He revealed that despite the Edo State Government’s engagement of about 2,500 security personnel, challenges persist due to what he described as poor “human infrastructure.”
“This is a laudable initiative, but citizens require consistent reorientation. We cannot achieve much without patriotism. Loyalty to the state must take precedence over ethnic, religious, or familial affiliations,” he said.
He therefore urged Mr. Ogbebor to integrate human infrastructure development into the blueprint to ensure its effectiveness.
Also speaking, the President of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations, Dr. Bartholomew Okuodo, commended the initiative, noting that its implementation could restore effective community-based security and promote safety across the country.
However, he expressed concerns about the government’s commitment to implementation and suggested that private organizations should play a key role in ensuring the blueprint does not suffer the fate of similar policy documents that were not executed.
Other stakeholders, including heads and representatives of security agencies, traditional institutions, and religious organizations, echoed similar concerns. They called for a change in citizens’ attitudes and increased funding for security operations by both government and community actors.
The summit concluded with a collective resolve to further refine the Strategic Security Blueprint to ensure effective implementation and promote a safer, more secure society through proactive and community-driven strategies.
Dignitaries present at the summit included the representative of the Commissioner of Police, ACP Innocent Nkemetala; the Comptroller of the Federal Road Safety Corps, B.E. Bedfron; the representative of the Comptroller of Correctional Services, Paul Ogbue; the Director of Security Services, O.J. Ojekunle; and the representative of the Commissioner for Public Safety and Security, Uzama Ihodano.
Others were the Coordinator of the Coalition of Benin Socio-Cultural Organizations, Osazee Amas Edobor; the representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria,(CAN) Rev. Chris Igbinijesu; Chief D. Obakozuwa; the Chairman of the CSO Observatory Group (ACJL), Edo State, Dr. Bright Oniovokukor; as well as members of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CSOs).