The importance of security in event planning

It’s one thing to picture how an event should unfold, but pulling it off is an entirely different story. On paper, everything looks flawless—luxurious setups, smiling guests, glowing headlines, and trays of food making their way around the hall. But behind the scenes, the real challenge lies in execution. And at the heart of that execution is one factor that cannot be ignored: security.

Before an event even begins, organizers must know where security personnel will be stationed, how risks will be handled, and what measures are in place to protect both guests and hosts. Without this, even the most carefully laid plans can unravel in an instant. This reality came to mind as I read “Impactful Public Relations in Customs Management,” a book co-authored by Kabir Abdulsalam of PRNigeria and Maryam Na’Allah of Spokespersons Digest.

The book does an impressive job of breaking down the essentials of planning and managing events. It discusses event design, logistics, messaging, and evaluation, pointing to the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as an institution that has successfully leveraged event management to strengthen its public relations. Yet, while it briefly touches on risk management, it does not give enough weight to what I consider the most critical element—security.

Events bring together crowds, media personnel, photographers, videographers, stakeholders, and sometimes international guests. In today’s climate, security can no longer be treated as an afterthought. It must be the backbone of event planning. The NCS under Comptroller General Bashir Adewale Adeniyi understands this, whether in public ceremonies or community engagements.

At Customs, events have become more than protocol—they are opportunities to tell stories, highlight reforms, and build public trust. For example, when the Service organized the graduation of 951 junior officers at the Nigeria Customs Training College in Kano, it was not just a ceremony. It was a statement of growth, professionalism, and renewed commitment. Events like this reflect an agency that is evolving and moving forward.

A particularly striking moment was during Adeniyi’s 100 days in office celebration, where he declared: “Today we do more than just envision change; the tangible strides we have taken in shaping the destiny of Nigeria Customs Services.” That statement captured the essence of events in this context. They are not mere gatherings—they are milestones. They symbolize progress and chart the future.

The book rightly outlines the fundamentals of event management—strategic planning, effective messaging, smooth logistics, and evaluation. These are all essential. But, each of these pillars rests on one non-negotiable condition: safety. If people do not feel secure, no speech will resonate, no logistics will matter, and no post-event evaluation will erase the fact that the event failed at its most basic level.

The Customs Service itself has learned this lesson in practice. During the enforcement of the Nigeria-Niger Republic border closure, the Service engaged border communities, reduced tensions, and ensured that events surrounding the policy rollout did not escalate into unrest. This showed that security goes beyond physical presence; it is also about trust, communication, and anticipating risks before they spiral.

Reading through the book, I admired how it highlights the challenges, accomplishments, and future direction of Customs under Adeniyi’s leadership. It presents an institution that has evolved beyond rigid enforcement to embrace the power of public relations. Yet, it also reveals the gaps. In a country like Nigeria, where insecurity is an everyday reality, no event can be considered successful without a strong, visible, and well-coordinated security framework.

Event management is more than setting up a hall, sending invitations, or drafting speeches. It is storytelling, branding, and relationship-building all rolled into one. None of this is possible without a safe environment. For the Nigeria Customs Service, event management has been an effective tool for projecting reforms and building credibility. However, if security continues to be treated as a supporting detail rather than a foundation, the impact will always fall short of its full potential.

Adeniyi’s Customs has already demonstrated its seriousness about reform and change, and the progress is visible. The next step should be to make security a core pillar of every public event it organizes. At the end of the day, an event is only truly successful when participants leave impressed, informed, and safe.

Aisha Ibrahim Halilu is a Mass Communication student at Nile University and an intern with PRNigeria. Email: aishaibrahimhalilu1@gmail.com

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