Details

Mrs. Hildegard Behrendt-Kigozi, the country director of KAS in Nigeria and Dr. Naomi Akpan-Ita led the workshop, which was very well attended with approximately 80 participants.

The target group of the training was the lecturers of NSCDC so that training and learning content at the Academy in Abuja can be supplemented and improved. The establishment and maintenance of a good relationship between citizens and the NSCDC had priority as well as the work of security forces in a democracy and also rights and duties of citizens in uniform. The participants were informed about mediation in order to maintain peace and security. They also worked out which factors hindered the work and how to deal with these problems.

The workshop was thematically divided into four modules. The first module made a reference to fundamentals of democracy, rule of law, constitutionalism, law enforcement and human rights, whose meanings were explained and discussed in interactive sessions. In module two, ethnic and moral situations were discussed in detail and why the aspect of corruption is an important consideration for NSCDC. Module three highlighted conflict analysis, conflict management, communication and peace building. Therefore it was very important for the presenters to enable the participants to understand conflicts per se are not bad, but can improve relations. It was particularly important that causes and effects were discussed to deal adequately with conflicts. They rounded off the workshop by discussing in the fourth module, topics about the role of media and their impact on the activities of NSCDC as well as the improvement of the relationship between the two.

A particular value was placed on ensuring that participants put into practice what they had learned from the workshop and implement it for the citizens in their work. Therefore, in every training module, terms and contents have been developed together and discussed how these can be integrated into the daily work of NSCDC officers. It was explained to the participants why the issues addressed above were of enormous importance. It was also explained how they can address such issues and problems. Through group work and presentations participants were always encouraged and motivated to become actively involved in the discussions, which made the debate very lively and enabled an intensive debate with these themes. For the NSCDC trainees it was very important that they improve their relationship with other security forces and also with civilians. This encouraged the KAS to continue in their work.

In conclusion it can be noted that the five days were very enriching for all concerned. Many participants thanked the KAS and Mrs. Naomi Akpan-Ita for their efforts and their great work and were very pleased with this workshop for enhancing their knowledge and skills. Mrs. Behrendt-Kigozi explained that the KAS will continue to support and promote the NSCDC and promised that further coaching of trainers will be given to them.