“WINS is an institution in which best practices can be identified, learned and shared.”
Edward Nneka Elizabeth, Senior Scientific Officer at the Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission, discusses how information sharing helps to mitigate potential threats and the importance of mutual support within the nuclear security community. The Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission is responsible for all peaceful uses of atomic energy in the country.
What role does information sharing play in implementing and promoting best practices for nuclear security?
Information sharing helps to identify issues and potential threats within organisations that, once identified, can be eliminated. Most importantly, when information is shared/communicated effectively, it helps build trust between individuals, peers, organisations and the general public, which can allow them to depend on each other. We must strike the proper balance between sharing information with those who need it to keep safe and safeguarding it from those who would use it to do harm.
How can WINS Academy Alumni support those currently pursuing their certification?
WINS Academy Alumni can support and also donate their valuable time to those currently pursuing their certification by sharing with them their experiences before and after certification. This entails the different methods they used while studying for their certification, and the joy and fulfilment of becoming a certified professional. WINS Alumni can also play an active role in voluntary programmes, such as mentoring them in their areas of expertise.
What was your WINS Academy elective? Why did you choose it?
My WINS Academy elective was Scientists, Technicians and Engineers (STE). I chose STE first, because I am an engineer and was just starting my career in the nuclear industry. I needed to learn how to contribute the technical knowledge and expertise that I could develop by studying STE. Secondly, STE helped me to understand the fundamental issues associated with nuclear security in my organisation and also helped me to properly communicate with fellow professionals in other organisations to achieve organisational goals.
“Information sharing helps to identify issues and potential threats within organisations that, once identified, can be eliminated.”
What inspired you to become a WINS Ambassador?
My inspiration came from knowing that WINS is an institution in which best practices can be identified, learned and shared. I discovered that encouraging colleagues in the nuclear/nuclear-related industries to first become a WINS member and then take the WINS Academy course(s) helps them learn best practices, which they will be able to share with other colleagues. By so doing everyone gains the same knowledge, which makes it easy to implement and improve productivity within organisations. (Everyone knows and everyone is doing it right, i.e. best practice).
What advice do you have for current WINS Academy learners or those considering enrolling?
The WINS Academy courses will help you gain skills and competences needed to improve and grow in your career. It will also help you understand the importance of integrating security culture and safety within an organisation. You get to learn new things you wouldn’t ordinarily know on your own, and it gives you the fulfilment of becoming a professional in the nuclear field. I would therefore advise that they get a notebook and jot down points while studying through each module, make time to study at their convenience and ask alumni questions about their experiences. Then you will surely succeed. Good luck!
From the sponsoring organisations:
How has your organisation benefited from Nneka achieving Certified Nuclear Security Professional status?
The Centre for Nuclear Energy Studies, where Nneka is deployed, has benefited immensely from her status as she has successfully coordinated the smooth running of the Post Graduate Certificate Programme in Nuclear Security Science at the centre, which has graduated two sets of Postgraduate Certificate in Nuclear Security Science students in Nigeria.
She has also encouraged members of staff to register as WINS members and get certified by sharing her experiences and some of the booklets from the WINS Alumni Event. She has also encouraged staff members to view educational WINS webinars during working hours.
Dr B.O. Evboumwan
Director, Centre for Nuclear Energy Studies, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
“For every staff member who has been WINS certified, the programme has helped to build the required skills and competencies needed for career development and growth.”
What role does WINS certification play in your institute’s professional development?
For every staff member who has been WINS certified, the programme has helped to build the required skills and competencies needed for career development and growth. It also helped raise overall staff expertise and refine their skills professionally to improve productivity within the organisation, thereby achieving organisational goals. WINS certification also aligns with one of our mission statements, which is to cooperate and partner with other nuclear research organisations (locally and internationally) for training and research towards exploitation and peaceful utilisation of nuclear energy.
Dr. M. Ali
Ag. Chairman/CEO, Nigeria Atomic Energy Commission
