By: Ado Adeboye
…… seeks recruitment of more women into security forces
An Ondo state Bigwig of APC and Principal of SIA Foundation, Rear Admiral Samuel Ilesanmi Alade (Rtd) has called for massive recruitment of young girls into the Nigerian security agencies especially the Nigeria Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Rear Admiral Samuel Alade also said women have vital roles to play in ending banditry and kidnapping that have bedeviled the nation, urging youths to choose security as a career.
The APC Chieftain made this declaration on Thursday at a two-day colloquium themed, ‘Breaking Glass Ceiling In The 21st Century For The African Girl Child’, organised by the Students Union Government (SUG) of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko.
During the programme attended by eminent people in the society, Rear Admiral Samuel Alade was honoured by the AAUA SUG with a distinguished award.
Rear Admiral Alade who is also the Balogun of Akure Kingdom, in his lecture entitled, ‘Women In Defence And Security In Nigeria: An Appraisal’, noted that women are more sensitive and intuitive than men and posses the emotional intelligence needed to create a well-rounded workforce.
The retired Military Chief who doubled as the Balogun of Akure Kingdom advised women to show more interest in participating in security activities in Nigeria.
Speaking from experience garnered prior retirement, Alade said women in the military are more tactical, decisive and instrumental to overcome humongous threat confronting the nation frontally. He enjoined the government to place priority to recruiting more women into the circle.
“The role of women in the defence and security of a country or nation such as Nigeria evolved over the years as women have served in security services in different roles in many countries throughout history”
“Women have been found in history to serve gallantly to serve gallantly as military officers, for example, the indomitable Queen Amina of Zaria, the Moremi Ajasoro of Ile-Ife and Queen Idia of Benin Kingdom were all reputed to have led men into battle and performed creditably to defend their territories”
“The government should make provision for at least 30 percent women representation in all Post conflict reconstruction plans, the lack of Women representation in the prevention and countering of violent extremism process itself prevents the message from reaching the intended beneficiaries”, Chief Alade said.
The highpoint of the ceremony was when the Students’ Union Government honored Rear Admiral Samuel Alade with “AN AWARD OF SERVICE & HUMANITY” in recognition of his strive and leadership acumen towards quality and adequate rendering of services to the people.
In his response, the Rear Admiral extolled the leadership of the Union under the Students Union President, Comr. Obagunwa Segun, and the Vice President, Akinlalu Funmilola.
Both Obagunwa and Akinlalu described Rear Admiral Samuel Alade as a uncommon philanthropist, Compassionate politician and trustworthy leader whose humanitarian services must be encouraged by young and old.
