By Gabriel Ewepu
ABUJA-FOLLOWING the state of insecurity in the country and international community, a technology firm, Emerging Platforms Group, EPG, has urged the Federal Government to employ Global Positioning System, GPS, technology to ensure the safety of students, pilgrims, athletes and other groups that represents the country abroad.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Head of Communications, EPG, Seun Ogunlana, yesterday, said adoption of GPS tracking technology by Nigeria would enable it solve problems ranging from real time intelligence gathering, security and safety of citizens in the face of insecurity.

According to the statement use of GPS tracking technology in Nigeria has been for the tracking of merchandise and vehicles but there other things it could be used for and with many benefits to individuals and organisations.

In its explanation the statement disclosed that the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), deployed GPS technology to ensure safety of pilgrims for the just concluded 2016 Hajj at Saudi Arabia, which gave them access to security and medicals.

The statement reads in part: “The GPS wearable device monitors all pilgrim from a central point; it comes with a panic button which can be used by pilgrims to alert security and medical emergency agencies and also provide their location.

“Its exciting to know that our brothers and sisters can now be fully accounted for and make secure each time they visit the holy land as a result of NAHCON bold initiative in solving a critical unexpected problem.

“The technology is also important for schools to protect pupils, students and teachers from kidnappers and other evil people. Even our athletes can make use of it for their safety abroad for competition.”

The statement also added that Nigeria cannot be left behind in the area of using such technology to tackle insecurity.