By Tola Gbadamosi
The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Ondo State command, Mr Olayinka Olatundun has urged officers of the Corps to know their roles in the society to enable them exhibit professionalism and be civilized in their conduct.
Olabodun made this remark during the celebration of the World Civil Defence Day that was marked on 1st of March in Akure.
According to him, “We are civil defenders, we are closer to the people than any other security outfit and so, you must understand that we need to work with the people in a civilized way and manner just like they do abroad.
“We should understand the people, help them in distress, and have to be professional in your conduct”.
The NSCDC boss noted that the World Civil Defence Day is an annual event held on the 1st day of March all over the world.
Adding that the International Civil Defense Organization is an inter governmental organisation whose objective is to contribute to the development of the nation and safe guard property and the environment from natural or man-made disasters.
He 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 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 and the state governments to understand that we are here to serve the people and by serving the people, it will be glorious to the government themselves.
“So we 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”.
Dr. Bode Ayorinde, the Pro Chancellor, Achievers University in his goodwill message stated that the officers of NSCDC have been doing well in the course of carrying out their duties. 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.
He, however, urged the government to make adequate provision in the budget so that they can perform better, they should have proper amunitions to carry out their duties.
Mr Omololu Adegbenro, Registrar, Elizade University noted that Civil Defense 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 personnel are disciplined, they are highly professional, the NSCDC is a very good organisation”.
“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, 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 also, the 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 neighbours 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”.
Those in attendance were all heads of security agencies who felicitate with the corps during their celebration.