The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ogun Command, and the National Association of Seadogs (Pyrates Confraternity), Ash Montana Deck, Abeokuta, have expressed their commitment to strengthening collaboration in the areas of security, humanitarian services, and community development across the state.

This came during a seperate courtesy visits yesterday by the newly elected leadership of Ash Ash Montana Deck led by the Capoon, Eremonsele Emmanuel Okoghe to offices of NSCDC and NDLEA in Abeokuta, the state capital.

NSCDC’s State Commandant, Remilekun Ekundayo, while welcoming the delegation at the Command’s headquarters, Owu-Dekudu, Abeokuta, said that the collaboration would strengthen mutual understanding and institutional relations between the two organisations.

Ekundayo said that the command over the year had been a formidable partner in the activities of Seadogs, urging the association and other stakeholders to contribute to the maintenance of peace and security in their communities.

“Such engagements build mutual understanding and strengthen institutional relationships, and your visit is therefore timely and appreciated.” she said.

The commandant, who said that all hands must be on deck to strength security in the state, noted that the command’s partnership with the Seadogs was to produce positive impact at the grassroots, in peace-building, youth development, crime prevention and to assist vulnerable members of society.

“Security is a collective responsibility — while the NSCDC has statutory responsibilities within the nation’s internal security framework, effective security delivery requires the participation of government institutions, traditional rulers, community leaders, civil society and organisations such as yours,” she hinted.

Ekundayo said that Ogun State’s status as an economic and industrial hub, with numerous schools, industrial estates, critical infrastructure and border communities, created both opportunities and security challenges.

She said the NSCDC was intensifying the protection of critical assets, schools and public utilities while combating vandalism, illegal mining, cultism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

The commandant urged the new Seadogs leadership to ensure that its programmes remained within the law and promoted peace, unity and responsible citizenship.

She also advised the organisation to maintain open channels of communication with security agencies whenever its activities had security implications.

Also, the Commander of the Ogun State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Tijjani Rabe, expressed appreciation to members of the deck for their continued belief in and support for the agency’s activities.

Rabe, while acknowledging the important role played by the deck in supporting the NDLEA’s operations and programmes, commended its members for their cooperation and confidence in the agency’s efforts to combat drug abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the state.

He further called for stronger and sustained collaboration, stressing that the fight against illicit drugs requires a collective effort from government agencies, community leaders, the media, civil society organisations and other relevant stakeholders.

Responding, Okoghe said the delegation was at the Command to formally introduce the newly elected executive committee and reaffirm the longstanding relationship between the Seadogs and the NSCDC.

“As the new Cap’n, alongside my team, we recognize the immense value of institutional synergy. We felt it imperative to officially present ourselves to your Command to ensure the seamless continuation of the mutual support and cooperation our chapter has historically enjoyed with the NSCDC,” he said.

The Capoon said the organisation appreciated the previous support of the NSCDC, particularly its participation in and security coverage of its programmes, and expressed the new administration’s desire for a stronger partnership with the Command.

He also commended the NDLEA, Ogun Command, for the recent numerous achievements of the agency in the areas of seizures, arrests, prosecution and rehabilitation.

Okoghe described the National Association of Seadogs as a non-profit, non-political, non-religious and completely de-tribalised organisation committed to opposing tribalism and outdated conventions while promoting discipline, fair play, comradeship and chivalry.

He stressed that the organisation no longer operated in tertiary institutions, having ceased such activities since 1984, and currently comprised graduate professionals.

The capoon highlighted that the association had more than 75 chapters globally and used public-interest advocacy, civic education, investigative research and targeted litigation to promote a just and egalitarian society.

Okoghe, however, mentioned the association’s humanitarian interventions included medical missions, the Street Child Project, Our Votes Count Project, Citizens’ Summit and the Nathaniel Oyelola Memorial Scholarship Scheme, among others. He also noted that the association had Special Consultative Status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).