Empowering Veterans Beyond Active Service
In an extraordinary initiative designed to harness the tactical expertise, discipline, and leadership of former military personnel, the Capacity Development and Certification Programme on Disaster, Safety and Emergency Management (CDSEM) has successfully conducted specialized training and professional certification for military veterans.
Military veterans possess a wealth of tactical discipline, strategic planning expertise, and crisis response experience. The CDSEM initiative bridges the transition from active military service to civilian disaster and emergency management. By delivering structured capacity-building modules and professional certification, the program equips veterans to lead civil protection efforts, execute rapid emergency response operations, and strengthen community resilience during natural or man-made hazards.
Core Objectives of the CDSEM Programme
- Specialized Technical Capacity: Intensive training in disaster risk reduction, emergency response logistics, hazard assessment, and safety management standards.
- Professional Certification: Formal accreditation through the Institute of Disaster Management and Safety Science (IDMSS) Nigeria to facilitate seamless professional transition.
- Inter-Agency Synergy: Fostering collaboration between military veterans, civil emergency agencies (NEMA), state security services, and defense ministries.
- National Security & Resilience: Utilizing veteran expertise to fortify national security infrastructure and crisis preparedness across local and national levels.
High-Level Inter-Agency Support and Presence
The significance of the program was highlighted by the attendance of high-ranking defense officials, security leaders, and emergency management executives:
- Minister of Defence & Chairman, Nigerian Legion: Official Representation
- Chief of Army Staff (COAS): Represented by Maj. Gen. AM Umar
- Minister of State for Defence: Represented by Hassanah Hassan Imran (SA Maritime Security)
- Director-General, State Security Service (DSS): Represented by Dr. ON Muhammed-Soso
- Chief of Air Staff (CAS): Represented by Air Cdre SN Nwachi (Deputy Director, Veteran Affairs NAF)
- Director-General, NEMA: Represented by Mr. Labaran Ahman
- Chairman, Military Pensions Board (MPB): Represented by Group Capt. A. Samaila
Celebrating Cohorts 1 & 2 Graduands
The event featured the presentation of official certificates to participants across Cohort 1 and Cohort 2 of the CDSEM programme. Equipped with their new credentials and safety leadership tools, these certified veterans represent a vital force ready to deploy across emergency response agencies, corporate safety management, and community defense frameworks.
As Nigeria continues to strengthen its national disaster management architecture, integrating certified military veterans ensures a disciplined, capable workforce at the forefront of public safety.