By Barth Ikiebe
The FCT Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Olusola Odumosu, has pledged the Corp’s full participation and support for the forthcoming Women in Security (WINSEC) Summit & Awards 2026, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening collaboration with the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) in advancing national security, responsible journalism, media safety and women’s inclusion in peacebuilding.
Dr Odumosu gave this assurance on Monday when the National Chairperson of NAWOJ, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, led members of the Association to pay him a courtesy visit at the Command’s Headquarters in Abuja, and formally invite the Corps to partner with NAWOJ for the maiden edition of the Women in Security (WINSEC) Summit & Awards 2026, scheduled for Wednesday, August 5, 2026, at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.
Welcoming the delegation, the FCT Commandant commended NAWOJ for initiating a national platform that promotes dialogue between the media and security institutions, describing the summit as timely and essential to strengthening national development.
He assured the Association that the Corps would do everything within its capacity to participate in and support the summit despite the short notice.
“I want to assure you that we will do all that we can to make sure that we are part and parcel of this summit. We will always support NAWOJ any time, any day. I look forward to working with you going forward through positive engagements that will help us grow as individuals, as institutions and as a nation,” Odumosu assured.
The Commandant described the Women in Security Summit as a commendable initiative that should have been established years ago, stressing that sustainable national development cannot be achieved without a vibrant and responsible media working closely with security agencies.
According to him, stronger collaboration between journalists and security institutions is critical to promoting public trust, combating misinformation, improving public awareness on security issues and shaping policies that enhance national peace and security.
Dr Odumosu also reiterated his unwavering support for greater participation of women in leadership, governance and national development, expressing optimism that the proposed Special Seats Bill at the NASS would provide more opportunities for women to contribute meaningfully to the country’s progress.
The FCT Commandant further highlighted his recent appointment as UNESCO National Focal Person on the Safety of Journalists, pledging to work closely with NAWOJ and other media stakeholders to promote an enabling environment where journalists, particularly women, can carry out their professional responsibilities free from harassment, intimidation and violence.
He noted that the partnership would include advocacy, reporting mechanisms, awareness creation and sustained engagement with security agencies to improve the protection of journalists across the country.
The FCT Civil Defence Boss also proposed a broader institutional collaboration between the NSCDC and NAWOJ beyond the summit through capacity-building programmes and engagements involving NAWOJ state chapters to strengthen media-security relations nationwide.
Earlier, NAWOJ National Chairperson, Comrade Aisha Ibrahim, commended the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps for its outstanding contributions to protecting critical national infrastructure, combating vandalism, illegal mining, crude oil theft and other economic crimes, while strengthening community-based security across the country.
She said the WINSEC Summit & Awards 2026 is conceived as a national platform that will bring together heads of Security agencies, policymakers, development partners, diplomats, traditional rulers, civil society organisations, women leaders, young professionals and the media to explore practical strategies for strengthening Nigeria’s security through inclusive leadership, strategic communication and institutional collaboration.
The NAWOJ Chairperson appealed to the Corps to partner with the Association by participating actively in the summit through the deployment of senior officers as delegates and resource persons.
She expressed confidence that a stronger partnership between NAWOJ and the NSCDC would deepen public trust, promote responsible journalism and contribute to building a more peaceful, secure and prosperous Nigeria.
The NUJ President, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, represented by the Assistant National Secretary, Tita Onyebuchi Nze, thanked the FCT Commandant, Dr Olusola Odumosu, for the warm reception and the positive response to the WINSEC Summit and Award, which will further cement the relationship and collaboration between the media and Security stakeholders in Nigeria.
Our Correspondent reports that both organisations expressed optimism that the renewed collaboration would strengthen national discourse on security, enhance the safety of journalists and create more opportunities for women to contribute meaningfully to peacebuilding and national development.
