Experts call for reenactment of Private Guard Act, as Buduka launches ‘Guarding Dreams’

Security experts in Nigeria have called for the repeal and reenactment of the nation’s Private Guard Companies Act 1986, describing the Act as obsolete and insufficient in managing the modern trends and complexities in private security business.

Rear Admiral Leye Jaiyeola (Rtd) mni, led this call on Thursday as he observed it to be one of the germane recommendations in Buduka Addey Johnson’s memoir “Guarding Dreams: My Life in Leadership and Security.”

While giving the keynote address at the book launch, Jaiyeola noted the book’s importance in addressing challenges within the private security industry as well as its suitability to enhancing leadership traits and performance among youths.

His words: “In the book, Guarding Dreams, Buduka has been able to highlight very pertinent issues regarding the Private Security industry. This book is foundational as the author has spotlighted key issues like the need to review the 1986 Private Guard Companies Act, which is outdated and doesn’t reflect today’s realities. The Honourable Minister of Interior and industry stakeholders are already working on this, but Buduka’s insights are critical to moving the industry forward.

“The author made some vital recommendations and I love the fact that she showcased the prospects of the industry in her book as she identified the possibility for an increase in demand for the private sector services if the regulatory flaws are addressed.”

Meanwhile, he maintained that there should be a synergy between private security providers and government security agencies; noting that the relationship between both categories of stakeholders should complement each other.

The author and founder of EPSS Private Security Services Limited, Buduka, posited that Nigeria’s security landscape had significantly changed and the 1986 legislation has become insufficient in managing modern concepts and trends in private security as well as associated practices like risk assessment, cyber security, advisory services, journey management, among others.

Although the book chronicles her journey into the male-dominated private security industry, Buduka stressed that Guarding Dreams is not just about her life; but serves as a call to inspire young people and women in particular to break ceilings and embrace opportunities in the sector.

“I wrote this book to inspire the next generation of leaders and security professionals. Leadership is not about the titles we hold but the legacies we leave behind,” she remarked.

Having spent over 17 years in the private security business, Buduka, opined that the content of the book unveils some vital lessons for regulations, legal framework as well as leadership approaches for businesses beyond private security sector.

While describing the current state of businesses in the private security sector as being “on life support” due to regulatory and economic challenges, she expressed optimism that the sector, which is valued at $37million, could grow exponentially and provide immense employment opportunities in the country.

On his part, the book reviewer and Director General of the Centre for Research, Information Management, and Media Development (CRIMMD), Dr. Raphael James, recommended the book as a relevant transformational tool for Nigerian youths as it dispels the myth of overnight success, instead emphasizing hard work, focus, and perseverance.

“This is one book that could change the lives of many young Nigerians if they are opportuned to read it. There are many life-shaping lessons encapsulated in Buduka’s story from her childhood experiences to schooling, divorce experience and doing business successfully in a male dominated industry; the lessons are numerous,” James said.

While unveiling the book, the Chief Launcher, Sobere Diri extolled the author and endorsed the book for schools and stakeholders in the private security sector.

On her part, the Founder and Publisher of Paperworth Books Limited, Ibiso Graham-Douglas, commended the fine delivery of storytelling in the book and praised the author for capturing the local context for Nigerians.

The event was graced by several industry stakeholders from the security sector as well as a wide array of family members and friends.