Abuja: Stakeholders have called for stronger collaboration between corporate organisations, security agencies, and local communities to enhance security and social development at the grassroots level. They made the call during a Community Security Dialogue organised by the Pan-African United Development Network (PAUDEN) held on Saturday in Katampe, Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the security dialogue was organised to promote synergy between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and community policing initiatives. The Convener of the Network, Amb. Habib Mohammed, said the event was aimed at linking CSR programmes with community security priorities to reduce vulnerability and youth restlessness. He noted that many community members are often excluded from corporate or government interventions despite being directly impacted by insecurity.
Mohammed stated, "Our goal is to connect CSR with security, because corporate social responsibility in one way or another affects everyone. We stand as a link between the people and the institutions. We identify the problems, highlight the vulnerable groups, and connect them to organisations or individuals willing to support through CSR."
He further explained that part of the initiative includes identifying unemployed youths, widows, and out-of-school children for empowerment through skills training, entrepreneurship, and educational support. He emphasized that addressing socio-economic needs at the grassroots would reduce crime and insecurity.
In his remarks, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Katampe, CSP Hilary Unong, commended the initiative and urged residents to sustain partnership with the police for peace and orderly conduct, especially ahead of the forthcoming elections. Unong said that the Katampe Division had maintained steady collaboration with traditional leaders, vigilantes, and the Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) to ensure relative peace in the area.
The District Head of Katampe, Alhaji Adamu Diga, also commended the organisation for the initiative, assuring that the community would continue to collaborate with relevant security agencies to achieve peace. The event brought together traditional rulers, security operatives, civil society actors, and corporate representatives who expressed readiness to collaborate on community development and security initiatives.