As World Civil Defence Day is being celebrated on every 1st of March, the officers of Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ondo State command, came out in large numbers to celebrate themselves.
In his welcome address, the State Commandant of the Corps, Mr Olayinka Olatundun noted that the World Civil Defence Day is an annual event held on the 1st day of March all over the world.
He added that the international Civil Defense Organization is an inter governmental organization whose objective is to contribute to the development the nation and safe guarding property and the environment from natural or man made disasters.
Olayinka stressed that the the Civil Defence has a brilliant and bright relationship with other security agencies, as they perform functions together.
“There are many challenges that we face in the course of our duty and more importantly, we need the corporation of the citizens, because without their cooperation, there’s nothing we can do, we need information from people to help us achieve the goals and aspirations of the corps”.
“We need the tools and equipment to work with. Without mobility, it will be very difficult to attend to any emergency. Our commandant general has been trying his best but we are urging the federal government and the state government to understand that we are here to serve the people and by serving the people.
“It will be glorious to the government themselves, so are appealing to them to equip us the more, we need technology, all over the world, they are using technology to monitor events. When we have technology, we will have less of physical security, technology will help us. So, we want the government to go into technology”.
Olayinka urged the officers to know their roles in the society. He said “We are civil defenders, we are closer to the people than any other security outfit and so, they must understand that they need to work with the people in a civilized way and manner just like they do abroad, they should understand the people, help them in distress, they have to be professional in their conduct”.
Dr. Bode Ayorinde, the Pro Chancellor, Achievers University, Owo, in his goodwill message, stated that the officers of NSCDC have been doing well in the course of carrying out their duties.
Ayorinde said, “they are to carry out orderliness in the society and they are easily accessible, people are more comfortable to approach them, they are nearer to the society.
The former Federal Lawmaker however urged the government to make adequate provision in the budget so that they can perform better, they should have proper ammunitions to carry out their duties.
Mr Omololu Adegbenro, Registrar, Elizade University noted that Civil Defence has come to stay. “When they started few years back, people didn’t take it seriously but today, they have become a force to reckon with, the personel are disciplined, they are highly professional, the NSCDC is a very good organization”.
“They still have a lot to do in terms of improvement, with the help of technology, banditry, kidnapping will reduce, people use drones today. The government should do the needful, they should equip them well, arm them with proper sophisticated weapons because the criminals they are facing are carrying sophisticated weapons”.
The Deji of Akure Kingdom, Oba Aladeyoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi while felicitating with the officers of the Civil Defence, urged them not to relent in their good works and be more dedicated.
Mrs Oluremi Olatundun, the wife of the State commandant and state president of Civil Defence Officers’ Wives Association (CDOWA) Stated that World Civil Defense Day is a day to celebrate all the officers of the corps all over the world for all they do for the nation, especially in the aspect of enforcing security.
“Our slogan is “Peace at home, Peace in the Nation”, so as CDOWA members, we ensure that our husbands, children even our neighbors enjoy peace because once there’s peace, there’s security. We are there as the officers’ wives to support them, to ensure that they have peace and they are to work under a conducive environment at work”.
The event was attended by key stakeholders including the Deji of Akure and Chairman, Ondo State Council of Obas, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade; the heads of security agencies in the state, who commended the roles of NSCDC in security management in collaboration with other security agencies in Ondo State.
