The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Ogun Command and the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), Ash Montana Deck, Abeokuta, have expressed their readiness to deepen collaboration on security, humanitarian services and community development in the state.
This was during a seperate courtesy visits to the two establishment by the new leadership of Ash Montana Deck led by the Capoon, Eremonsele Emmanuel Okoghe.
The State Commandant of the NSCDC, Commandant Remilekun Omolade Ekundayo, stated while receiving the newly constituted executive committee of the Seadogs at the Command’s headquarters, Owu-Dekudu, Abeokuta that the body of Seadogs had been a formidable partner in the activities of the command.
Welcoming the delegation, Ekundayo described the visit as timely, saying it would strengthen mutual understanding and institutional relations between the two organisations.
She said: “Such engagements build mutual understanding and strengthen institutional relationships, and your visit is therefore timely and appreciated.”
The commandant stressed that security could not be left to security agencies alone, urging the Seadogs and other stakeholders to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security in their communities.
According to her, “Security is a collective responsibility — while the NSCDC has statutory responsibilities within the nation’s internal security framework, effective security delivery requires the participation of government institutions, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society and organisations such as yours.”
Ekundayo said the Command was particularly interested in partnerships capable of producing positive impact at the grassroots, especially in peace-building, youth development, crime prevention and assistance to vulnerable members of society.
She noted that Ogun State’s status as an economic and industrial hub, with numerous schools, industrial estates, critical infrastructure and border communities, created both opportunities and security challenges.
She said the NSCDC was intensifying the protection of critical assets, schools and public utilities while combating vandalism, illegal mining, cultism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
The commandant urged the new Seadogs leadership to ensure that its programmes remained within the law and promoted peace, unity and responsible citizenship.
She also advised the organisation to maintain open channels of communication with security agencies whenever its activities had security implications.
Responding, Okoghe said the delegation was at the Command to formally introduce the newly elected executive committee and reaffirm the longstanding relationship between the Seadogs and the NSCDC.
He said: “As the new Cap’n, alongside my team, we recognize the immense value of institutional synergy. We felt it imperative to officially present ourselves to your Command to ensure the seamless continuation of the mutual support and cooperation our chapter has historically enjoyed with the NSCDC.”
Okoghe described the National Association of Seadogs as a non-profit, non-political, non-religious and completely de-tribalised organisation committed to opposing tribalism and outdated conventions while promoting discipline, fair play, comradeship and chivalry.
He stressed that the organisation no longer operated in tertiary institutions, having ceased such activities since 1984, and currently comprised graduate professionals.
He highlighted the association had more than 75 chapters globally and used public-interest advocacy, civic education, investigative research and targeted litigation to promote a just and egalitarian society.
The Seadogs Cap’n said the organisation’s humanitarian interventions included medical missions, the Street Child Project, Our Votes Count Project, Citizens’ Summit and the Nathaniel Oyelola Memorial Scholarship Scheme, among others. He also noted that the association had Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Okoghe said the organisation appreciated the previous support of the NSCDC, particularly its participation in and security coverage of its programmes, and expressed the new administration’s desire for a stronger partnership with the Command.
He said: “Moving forward under this new leadership, we seek to forge stronger, more robust partnerships with your Command to initiate, design, and execute projects that directly benefit our local communities and humanity at large.”
Okoghe expressed optimism that the renewed relationship would produce practical benefits for residents of Ogun State, adding: “We look forward to a highly productive, secure, and synergistic relationship with the NSCDC Ogun State Command.”
The Capoon also commended the NDLEA, Ogun Command for the recent numerous achievements of the agency in the areas of seizures, arrests, prosecution and rehabilitations.
The Commander, Ogun Command of NDLEA, CN Tijjani Rabe expressed his gratitude to the deck for believing and supporting the agency in its activities while asking for more collaboration.
