Presidency expands skills training to tackle insecurity

The Presidency is expanding  its skills acquisition and entrepreneurship training programmes as a non-kinetic strategy to tackle insecurity, curb crime and promote socio-economic development.

Dr Abiola Arogundade, Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education (TVEE), disclosed this on Wednesday in Abuja.

She spoke during a meeting with retired Maj.-Gen. Adeyinka Famadewa, Special Adviser to the President on Homeland Security, at her office.

The meeting explored areas of collaboration between the two offices, focusing on economic empowerment, employability and sustainable livelihoods as complementary measures to conventional security operations.

Arogundade said the partnership would empower citizens, broaden awareness and create sustainable opportunities for positive engagement.

“This partnership seeks to strengthen cooperation between both offices in empowering our people, broadening their awareness, and creating sustainable opportunities for their positive engagement.

“Through these collective efforts, we aim to steer them away from crime and criminality while fostering a safer, more enlightened, and empowered society,” she said.

Both presidential aides acknowledged the need for a comprehensive security approach combining military and law enforcement operations with education, skills development and economic inclusion, particularly for vulnerable youths.

Under the proposed collaboration, the TVEE initiative would seek to reduce unemployed and economically disadvantaged youths’ vulnerability to recruitment by criminal networks exploiting poverty, limited opportunities and social exclusion.

By linking vocational education with homeland security objectives, the partnership is expected to strengthen community resilience, promote social stability and provide alternatives to criminal activities.

Famadewa stressed the need for a holistic approach to insecurity that incorporates non-kinetic measures and addresses its underlying socioeconomic drivers.

His office is also focused on unified intelligence and surveillance, stronger border security, improved identification of security threats, and effective protocols for reporting and responding to crises.

The collaboration reflects the Tinubu administration’s efforts to link education, economic opportunities and national security.

Through skills development and entrepreneurship support, the initiative aims to promote sustainable livelihoods, strengthen peacebuilding and foster long-term stability. (NAN)

Edited by Yakubu Uba