As the World celebrates Civil Defence Day, the former House Of Reps member , Dr Bode Ayorinde has enjoined the federal government to empower the men of the Nigeria Civil Defence Corps in combating criminality headlong in our society.
Ayorinde, the Chancellor , Achievers University , Owo, said this at this year’s celebration , who was also honoured at the occasion , said there is need for the government to look inwards in providing suffisticated weapons for the Corps so as to reduce the crime rate in the society.
The occasion which is celebrated every 1st day of March, across the world.
The officers of Nigeria Security And Civil Defence Corps ( NSCDC) Ondo State command, came out in their large numbers to celebrate the day among selves in a grand style.
In his welcoming address, the State Commandant of the Corps, Engr Olayinka Olatundun noted that the World Civil Defence Day is an annual event set aside to celebrate men and women of the corps for their positive impacts and contributions across boards.
He added that the international Civil Defense Organization , an inter governmental organization whose main objective is to contribute to the development of the the nation and safe guarding 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 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 governments to understand that we are here to serve the people and by doing so, the people, 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”.
He further urged the officers to know their roles in the society.
According to him “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”.
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 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, 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 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”.