DRONE SECURITY TRAINING HELD IN IHIMA, KOGI STATE
By Glory Ize Isaiah & Rosemary O. Onubaiye
Photos by Africa-Related
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (in black) facilitated a high-impact training on Drone Security, that was organized by Meterverse Technologies Ltd and sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
Organized by Meterverse Technologies Ltd.
Sponsored by Nigerian Content Development & Monitoring Board (NCDMB)
Facilitated by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
Date: Saturday, July 19, 2025
Venue: Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Residence. Ihima, Kogi State, Nigeria
Introduction
On Saturday, July 19, 2025, Ihima town played host to a high-impact training on Drone Security, an emerging field that combines innovation with national development. The event was organized by Meterverse Technologies Ltd and sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). It was notably facilitated and attracted to the region by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, a prominent advocate for innovation-driven development in Kogi Central.
The training marked a significant step in building local capacity around the strategic application of drone technology in security operations, a theme that resonates with Nigeria’s growing commitment to indigenous tech solutions for surveillance, safety, and national infrastructure protection.
Opening and Accreditation
The event began with arrivals at 8:00 a.m., and accreditation commenced by 8:30 a.m., continuing until 10:00 a.m. when the formal proceedings officially began. The warm and anticipatory atmosphere set the tone for an impactful and educative session.
The official opening of the training was done by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who welcomed the participants and highlighted the importance of adopting cutting-edge security technology in safeguarding communities and critical infrastructure. Her address emphasized the potential for local talent to be harnessed in this area, especially among the youth of Kogi Central and surrounding regions.
Though representatives of Meterverse Technologies and NCDMB were present, they took a more reserved role, with minimal public speeches. The spotlight remained on the participants and the training process itself, underscoring a people-first approach to knowledge transfer.
Training Highlights
Participants were introduced to the fundamentals of drone technology, types of drones used in security operations, relevant regulations, and hands-on demonstrations. Topics covered included:
Introduction to Drone Types and Security Applications
Airspace Rules and Ethical Use of Drones
Real-time Demonstrations on Drone Control and Flight
The Role of Drones in Critical Infrastructure Surveillance
Career Opportunities in the Drone Security Sector
The session blended theoretical instruction with live practical demonstrations, offering participants a comprehensive understanding of drone operations, especially in the Nigerian context.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s initiative successfully trained and empowered 250 constituents with digital and technical skills across the following disciplines:
Drone Security and Environmental Sustainability/Remediation Initiatives – 80 beneficiaries
Advanced Welding and Fabrication Techniques – 50 beneficiaries
Renewable Energy Installation – 50 beneficiaries
Data Analytics and Digital Transformation – 70 beneficiaries
A key highlight was the distribution of 80 DJI Neo drones to individuals and departments from 10 tertiary institutions, including the University of Ilorin, Ahmadu Bello University, Federal Polytechnic Idah, and others.
Attendance and Representation
Africa-Related’s Representation and Contribution
Africa-Related, a media content and strategy production house, was present through its Country Director, Mrs. Rosemary Onubaiye, and representative Ms Glory Ize Isaiah. Africa-Related’s presence was centered on observation, documentation, and potential partnership development in future media-technology initiatives.
With bases in Abuja, Nigeria and New York City, USA, Africa-Related is known for crafting compelling African narratives across multiple platforms - including film, television, radio, publishing, and photography. The organization’s mission to amplify African perspectives through narrative-shaping content aligns deeply with initiatives such as this.
Africa-Related’s attendance demonstrates its broader commitment to community empowerment, youth engagement, and digital inclusion - particularly in exploring how drone technology can be utilized for media production, cultural preservation, and security awareness campaigns in rural and semi-urban communities.
Strategic Relevance to Africa-Related’s Mission
This training initiative aligns with Africa-Related’s core objectives in several critical ways:
1. Narrative & Content Innovation - The use of drones opens up expansive possibilities in visual storytelling and documentary filmmaking, especially in remote or difficult-to-access areas.
2. Youth-Focused Empowerment - The skills taught provide fertile ground for future training partnerships, fellowships, and mentoring programs that Africa-Related could support or amplify.
3. Tech-Creative Integration - Drone operations intersect with Africa-Related’s interest in merging technology and creativity, from environmental/agreicultural documentation to cultural archiving.
4. Community-Driven Media Campaigns - There’s strong potential to use drone-enabled content to produce campaigns around peace, infrastructure, culture, and environmental responsibility.
Recommendations & Next Steps
To extend the value of this engagement, the following are proposed:
Post-Training Debrief: Host an internal knowledge session to evaluate training insights and consider ways to incorporate drone visuals in future productions.
Pilot Projects: Design a community storytelling project using drones to capture environmental shifts, cultural landmarks, or human-interest stories.
Youth Media Bootcamps: Launch short training intensives focused on using drones for creative storytelling and advocacy.
Stakeholder Partnerships: Engage Meterverse Technologies and NCDMB for future collaborations in creative tech empowerment programs.
Conclusion
The Drone Security Training in Okene stands as a powerful example of how public-private collaboration can be used to equip Nigerian youth with relevant, forward-facing skills. With growing concerns about security and surveillance, the role of drone technology will only become more vital in the years to come.
The efforts of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Meterverse Technologies Ltd, and NCDMB in bringing this initiative to life are commendable. It is expected that this training will be a catalyst for more technologically driven capacity-building efforts across Kogi State and beyond.