The Office for Strategic Preparedness and Resilience (OSPRE) has concluded its Safety, Peace and Resilience in Communities (SPARCs) project across eight local government areas in Anambra, Benue, Katsina and Plateau States.
The programme, funded by the UK’s Integrated Security Fund and implemented in partnership with the Neem Foundation, was aimed at strengthening early warning, response and resilience systems at the grassroots.
Speaking during the closing ceremony of the programme in Abuja recently, the director-general of OSPRE, Chris Ngwodo, said the project brought together stakeholders, including traditional and religious leaders, local government officials, community vigilante groups and security agencies from the four states who were trained on conflict prevention, emergency preparedness, gender-sensitive security and data analysis.
He added that the participants received training manuals, digital data collection tools and other essential resources to support community-based early warning and response efforts.
“OSPRE remains committed to promoting local governance, peacebuilding and long-term national stability. The organisation’s efforts aim to create safer communities and foster a culture of preparedness and resilience across Nigeria,” he stated.
During the wrapping up ceremony, some of the beneficiaries of the project praised its impact, particularly in fostering a culture of shared responsibility in maintaining security.
Director-general of the Plateau State Peacebuilding Agency, Dr Julie Sanda, noted that the programme reinforced citizens’ understanding of their roles in promoting security and strengthened community-local government links.
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