Monday, July 20, 2026

Defence college advocates inclusive security measures to protect women, children

The NDC commandant stressed that women and children are the most affected in armed conflicts.

• February 24, 2025
Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu
Rear Adm. Olumuyiwa Olotu [Leadership News]

The commandant of the National Defence College (NDC), Rear Adm. Oluwuyiwa Olotu, has emphasised the need for inclusive security measures to protect vulnerable groups, particularly women and children, during armed conflicts.

Mr Olotu made the call in Abuja on Monday at the opening of training for gender focal officers in the security sector, organised by the NDC Centre for Strategic Research and Studies (CSRS).

The NDC organises the training in collaboration with the UN Women in Nigeria.

Represented by the provost of the Centre for Strategic Research and Studies at NDC, Adams Ahmed, he said gender mainstreaming was crucial in security institutions.

He added that it aligned with the UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which advocates women’s participation in peace and security processes.

Mr Olotu stressed that women and children are the most affected in armed conflicts, adding that security institutions must adopt gender-sensitive policies to address their vulnerabilities.

He noted that gender focal officers face challenges like inadequate training and resources, stressing that the training would equip them with skills to drive gender-responsive reforms.

“As part of its commitment to gender inclusion, the NDC has integrated structured gender training into its regular curriculum, including virtual courses targeting security personnel.

“For the first time, we have a woman as a directing staff at NDC; She excelled, proving that gender mainstreaming is about competence, not tokenism,” he said.

Meanwhile, the country representative of UN Women in Nigeria, Beatrice Eyong, has commended Nigeria’s progress in implementing national action plans on women, peace, and security.

Ms Eyong, represented by the programme manager, Peter Mancha, said the Nigerian military, police, and civil defence had launched gender policies, ensuring that security personnel address gender-based violence using international best practices.

“Traditional councils in states like Gombe and Plateau now include women in decision-making on peace and security. Security institutions should do the same,” she said.

Similarly, Jumoke Jenyo, Head of the Department of Conflict, Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Studies at NDC, emphasised the importance of institutional commitment to gender mainstreaming in the security sector.

Ms Jenyo also stressed the need for accountability mechanisms to ensure gender policies were effectively implemented within security institutions.

(NAN) 

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC)

Economy

NERC issues guidelines for technical audit of transmission network

According to NERC, the guidelines establish a uniform and standardised process for periodic technical audits of Nigeria’s electricity transmission system.

The chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, Musa Aliyu

Abuja

FCT police detain four officers over alleged extortion of N53,000 from ICPC chairman

The FCT police command has detained four officers for allegedly extorting the chairman of ICPC.

Sokoto State government logo

States

Four killed in Sokoto rainstorm

According to NEMA, many homes and critical public infrastructure, including one primary school and one hospital, were damaged.

Central Bank of Nigeria Logo

Economy

Stakeholders push policy retention as CBN’s monetary policy committee meets

In its 305th meeting in May, the MPC retained the monetary policy rate at 26.5 per cent.

Court room

States

Man seeks court order for access to two-year-old son

The judge adjourned the case until August 11 for mention.

Bright Edafe

States

Police foil cult initiation in Delta, recover firearms

The police spokesman said recovered exhibits included one pump-action gun, one cut-to-size double-barrelled gun, seven live cartridges and two expended cartridges.