The Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has advocated the deployment of its personnel to educational institutions to strengthen school security and early warning mechanisms
The National Commandant of the corps, Dr. Dickson Akoh who made the submission following the persistent attacks on schools and abduction of students and staff across the country described the trend as a serious threat to the nation’s educational system.
Dr. Dickson Akoh expressed concern that if the menace is properly and urgently checked parents would be forced to stop their children from going to school.
The Commandant, also stated that the Peace corps has commenced a nationwide personnel re-validation exercise for all officers and members trained by the organisation between 1998 and 2026.
“The exercise is a major institutional reform aimed at strengthening the organisation’s administrative structure, personnel records and operational efficiency.
“It’s mandatory for all officers and men of the corps and would involve the submission of academic credentials and National Identification Numbers (NIN) for verification and database harmonisation.The exercise is not merely administrative, but a strategic audit designed to align the organisation’s human resource capacity with modern institutional standards” Dr. Akoh expressed.
He noted that many personnel had advanced academically over the years through higher degrees, professional certifications and technical competencies, stressing that the corps intended to formally recognise such qualifications.
The commandant said the updated records would provide a framework for merit-based promotions, specialised deployments and effective utilisation of personnel across departments.
Ambassador Akoh further stated that the compulsory integration of NIN into the corps’ database was aimed at eliminating identity fraud, ensuring accountability and enhancing collaboration with security agencies.
“Every officer must be traceable, verifiable and properly captured within the national identity database to preserve the integrity of the organisation,” he said.
Ambassador Akoh said the ultimate objective was to reposition the organisation for stronger institutional legitimacy, improved governance and enhanced local and international partnerships.
He warned that any officer or member who failed to participate in the exercise or provide valid credentials and NIN within the stipulated period would automatically lose membership of the corps.
“There will be no room for ghost personnel, inactive members or unverified individuals within the reformed Peace Corps of Nigeria,” he said
According to him, the initiative will involve the deployment of trained officers as safety personnel to assist in surveillance, intelligence gathering and the prevention of threats such as cultism, drug abuse and unauthorised access within schools.
“Intelligence gathered by deployed personnel would be promptly shared with conventional security agencies to ensure rapid response to threats.
“The initiative aligned with Nigeria’s Safe Schools Strategy and would help bridge existing gaps between school authorities and formal security institutions” the Peace Corps Commandant asserted.
He also added that the corps would incorporate peace education and psycho-social support programmes as part of efforts to promote a safe and conducive learning environment across the country.
By; Uzoamaka Onwu, Port Harcourt.
