Lawmakers in the National Assembly are actively considering a bill that would enable security agencies to recruit personnel directly from the Man O’ War organization.
The proposed legislation, which has already passed its first reading in the House of Representatives, was sponsored by Martins Esin, Chairperson of the House Committee on Youth Development.
During the United Nations International Volunteer Day Celebration in Abuja, Adesoji Eniade, Director General of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre (CLTC), revealed the significance of this potential legislative change.
“The bill will further give Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre and Man ‘O’ War, more muscle, more strength, and legal bite, that legal strength to do more, you know, for the betterment of the youth population,” Eniade explained.
Man O’ War, a voluntary paramilitary organization founded in 1951, has long been dedicated to community development and youth discipline. National Commandant Gbenga Adedamola emphasized the organization’s commitment to strengthening communities, particularly through initiatives like the Safe School Programme.
“Through initiatives like the Safe School Programme, the Man O’War in Nigeria has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to ensuring that schools are an environment of peace, security and learning,” Adedamola stated.
He called for collaborative efforts to tackle national insecurity, urging government and stakeholders to work together.
Addressing the broader context of school safety, Adedamola noted, “Recent events have underpinned the vulnerabilities within our school system, ranging from insecurity to natural disasters. Addressing these requires innovation, creativity, collaboration and unwavering commitment of every Nigerian.”
Eniade further highlighted the strategic positioning of the Citizenship and Leadership Training Centre within the Ministry of Youth Development, indicating the organization’s readiness for potential recruitment into security agencies.
“They are already prepared,” he asserted.
The proposed bill represents a potential transformative approach to personnel recruitment in Nigeria’s security sector, leveraging the disciplined and community-focused training provided by Man O’ War.
