Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Achebe
BY SUNNY A. DAVID
Onitsha Community has embarked on training of no fewer than 100 men and women as members of Neighborhood Security Watch.
The training, which was facilitated by the Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government (LGA), Mr. Patrick Agha-Mba took off at Ime Obi, Awka Road on January 18.
Mr. Agha-Mba explained that the training was aimed at enabling the participants to acquire the basic skills needed to combat crime in within their neighborhood, so as to create an active security network in the Community.
It is also aimed at providing job opportunities to the youths.
He added that engaging them on crime control would reduce their participation in crimes and other irregularities within the neighborhood.
The Chairman also said that embarking on the neighborhood security was to compliment the effort of the Anambra State Government which had made security, a priority of his Government.
The President-General of Onitsha Improvement Union (OIU), Sir. Chike Ekweogwu, who addressed the participants during the training session at Ime Obi grounds said that the training was a welcome development to Ndi Onitsha, other residents of the city and environs.
He admonished them to be of good behaviour and loyal to their trainers.
“You are not trained to become terrors in the community but to guard and protect life and property within your neighborhoods,’’ Sir. Ekweogwu said.
He enjoined the men to pay attention to the training in order to acquire requisite knowledge about security of life and property.
The Special Assistant to Governor on Youths, Mr. Eloka Egbunike who was also present at the event assured the participants that Governer Willie Obiano was in full support of the training.
He urged them to be committed to the training as they were lucky to be selected from the youths that applied.
The training was being conducted by Anambra Vigilance Group (AVG), made up of a team of drill instructors and resource persons led by AVG training Coordinator, a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mr. Charles Osegbue.
The event was being run under the Chairmanship of AVG State Chairman, a retired Commissioner of Police, Chief Ikechukwu Ayodele Aduba.
Mr. Osegbue while speaking with our correspondent said that they had 101 participants now, even though they were expecting more.
He added that they were all mentally and physically prepared for the training.
According to him the training expected to last for three weeks would be an intensive exercise.
The Chairman, Mr. Agha-Mba applauded the officers of AVG for their efforts and sacrifices in complimenting the work of Nigerian Police in maintaining peace and order in the State.
