The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Armed Squad Unit, Ogun State Command, on Tuesday held its annual public lecture aimed at strengthening the capacity of security operatives to perform optimally under pressure in an increasingly complex security environment.
The well-attended event took place at Owu Dekudi Village, along Kobape Road, Abeokuta, drawing together security professionals, government officials, traditional rulers, community leaders and members of the public from across Ogun State.
With the theme “Peak Performance Under Pressure: Stress Management, Threat Assessment and Rapid Response for Security Operatives,” the lecture focused on practical and psychological tools required for effective law enforcement in the face of modern security challenges.
Declaring the programme open, the Special Guest of Honour, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, Senator representing Ogun Central Senatorial District, commended the NSCDC Armed Squad for prioritising capacity building and continuous learning among its personnel.
Senator Salisu noted that security operatives operate in high-risk environments that demand mental resilience, professionalism and ethical conduct, stressing that such engagements are critical to national stability and public trust.
He added that effective security is not achieved by force alone but through intelligence, discipline, community cooperation and the ability to manage stress while making rapid and lawful decisions.
Speaking earlier, officers of the Armed Squad Unit, NSCDC Ogun State Command, described the lecture as part of their annual strategy to enhance operational readiness and align security practices with global best standards.
The event was further enriched by the presence of royal fathers whose attendance underscored the importance of traditional institutions in grassroots security and peacebuilding.
The first lecture was delivered by CSP Kalejaye Victor, Officer in Charge of Monitoring, Nigeria Police Force, Eleweran, Ogun State Command, who spoke on “Stress Management among Law Enforcement Agencies for Optimal Performance.”
CSP Kalejaye highlighted the dangers of unmanaged stress among security personnel, linking it to burnout, poor judgment and operational errors, while advocating structured stress-management techniques and institutional support systems.
The second lecture was presented by Mr. Oyeneye Oyelaja, mni, Permanent Secretary, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Ogun State Civil Service, on “The Human Cost of Insecurity: Exploring the Socio-Economic Impact on Citizens and the Role of Law Enforcement in Restoring Hope.”
Mr. Oyelaja explained that insecurity erodes livelihoods, discourages investment and fractures social cohesion, urging law enforcement agencies to adopt citizen-focused approaches that rebuild confidence and promote economic recovery.
The third session was handled by Ogundeji Moses Adegbola, PhD, FISN, Chief Security Officer of Tai Solarin Federal University of Education (TASFUED), who spoke on “Bridging the Gap between Citizens and Security Practitioners: The Challenges and Law Enforcement Accountability.”
Dr. Adegbola stressed that transparency, accountability and respectful engagement are essential for narrowing distrust between security agencies and the public they serve.
Contributing to the discourse, Abiodun Lashile, the Orunto of Owu Kingdom, identified corruption, lack of discipline and unemployment as major drivers of insecurity in Nigeria.
He argued that without tackling these root causes, security efforts would only provide temporary relief rather than sustainable peace.
Also speaking, Prophet Adewale Akande, popularly known as Baba Testimony, emphasised the role of the family unit in nation-building, stating that discipline and anti-corruption values must begin at home.
He blamed bad parenting and poor home training for many societal ills, urging parents to raise children with strong moral foundations and respect for authority.
Participants at the lecture engaged the facilitators in interactive sessions, sharing field experiences and proposing collaborative strategies to improve rapid response and community intelligence gathering.
The organisers expressed optimism that the insights gained would translate into improved operational efficiency, stronger civil-security relations and safer communities across Ogun State.
The event concluded with a renewed commitment by the NSCDC Armed Squad, traditional leaders and stakeholders to work together in addressing insecurity through professionalism, accountability and shared responsibility.
