JOSEF advocates family empowerment to tackle insecurity

EKPOMA – The Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) has advocated the empowerment of families as a key strategy for achieving safer communities and addressing insecurity in Nigeria.

The Chief Responsibility Officer of JOSEF, Dr. Jude Obasanmi, made the call while speaking with journalists during the Foundation’s 8th Annual Lecture Series, themed “Household Haven: Forging Safer Nigerian Communities Through Empowered Families,” held in Ekpoma, Edo State.

Dr. Obasanmi explained that the lecture was designed to promote the integration of the family structure into the nation’s security architecture, stressing that Nigeria could only effectively address insecurity by involving families in the process.

According to him, the programme also aimed to create widespread awareness that every citizen has a role to play in ensuring a secure environment where people can live and move freely without fear.

“We are witnessing a situation where some families even expect or encourage their members to engage in criminal activities. When families are empowered, such tendencies and support for crime will be drastically reduced, if not completely eliminated.

“Criminals emerge from families. When families are empowered through employment opportunities, access to quality education, healthcare and other social services, they will be better positioned to raise children who will become responsible members of society,” he said.

Delivering the 8th Edition of the JOSEF Annual Lecture, public affairs analyst and columnist Mr. Austine Isikhuemen lamented that insecurity has become a major threat to families and communities across Nigeria.

He observed that violence, kidnapping, displacement and economic hardship were weakening household stability, increasing poverty, worsening unemployment and accelerating rural-urban migration.

He disclosed that between 3.6 million and 4.0 million people are internally displaced in Nigeria, while more than 26.5 million citizens are experiencing severe food insecurity. He also noted that between 3,000 and 4,500 officially tracked abductions occur annually across the country.

According to him, since safe households create safer communities and security remains the foundation for development, government should not only equip, motivate and restructure the nation’s security agencies but also strengthen the economy, improve infrastructure and expand access to essential social services.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of JOSEF, Hon. Barr. James Aigbogun, said the Foundation is committed to transforming lives through strategic interventions in education, healthcare, good governance, youth development and community mobilisation.

He noted that since its inception, JOSEF has remained steadfast in its core mission of building stronger communities and promoting human dignity through sustainable development initiatives.

In her goodwill message, the Vice-Chancellor of Ambrose Alli University, Prof. Eunice Omonzogie, commended the Josemaria Escriva Foundation for its unwavering commitment to advancing education, quality healthcare, environmental sustainability and community mobilisation towards responsible governance.

Other goodwill messages were delivered by the management of Chosen Hotel and Suites, represented by one of its Executive Director, Mr. Samson Aturu, who applauded the Josemaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) for its impactful initiatives and pledged the company’s continued partnership with the Foundation, particularly in the areas of widows’ welfare and education.

Also delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Onojie of Ekpoma, His Royal Highness Barr. Anthony Ehizojie II, Elder Emmanuel Omonua conveyed the palace’s full support for JOSEF’s activities and prayed for the Foundation’s continued growth and sustainability.

Speaking in his capacity as the National Coordinator of the Edo Okpa Unity Forum (EUF), Elder Omonua also expressed the Forum’s delight at the Foundation’s noble humanitarian programmes, which he noted are being effectively coordinated by Dr. Jude Obasanmi, who also serves as the Edo State Coordinator of the EUF.

In his remarks, the immediate past Chairman of JOSEF, Prof. Matthew Izibili, commended the current Board Chairman, Barr. J. B. Agbogun, and the Project Team for sustaining the Foundation’s annual lecture series and other impactful activities over the years.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Uromi Justice, Development, Peace and Caritas Initiative (UROMI-JDPCI), Very Rev. Fr. Dr. Fidelis Arhedo, praised the Foundation for distinguishing itself as a beacon of hope and transformation at a time when many civil society organisations have become less visible.

He said JOSEF has earned a strong reputation beyond Edo State through its consistent commitment to public enlightenment, value reorientation, community sensitisation, family development and the empowerment of individuals and communities.

Chairman of the occasion, Mr. Sunny Eseugwu, described the Josemaria Escriva Foundation as a selfless organisation with a strong commitment to the betterment of society, adding that the theme of the lecture was both timely and relevant.

Highlights of the event included the unveiling of the proposed Josemaria Escriva Foundation building project and the presentation of awards.