Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade, new Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior has urged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) to be civil and ensure proper protection of citizens.
Akinlade stated this on Thursday while addressing officers and men of the Corps during a visit to the NSCDC National Headquarters, Abuja.
She said it was important for personnel of the Corps to make themselves approachable to citizens without fear.
“Please show love and care to the people, they shouldn’t see you and run away, rather they should see you and embrace you.
“The citizens should see you as part of them who are protecting the nation and the future of their children,” Akinlade said.
She also urged the personnel to develop a sense of loyalty and positive working relationship among themselves and with the masses they protect.
According to her, the conduct of personnel within and outside the office is a major factor to how members of the society perceived the Corps.
Akinlade therefore enjoined all officers and men to be good ambassadors of the Ministry, the Corps and the nation at large.
“As civil defenders, responsibilities lie on your shoulders and that is why you must perform well in making citizens free to discharge their duties without fear.
“The roles you play are very important in achieving security for the nation as there is no development without security.
“When you sing the Corps’ anthem it should remind and inspire you to do more; you are blessed so let it show,” she said.
The Permanent Secretary said that the NSCDC headquarters was the first facility she had visited in her new capacity and was highly impressed.
“This is the first of the facilities I am visiting and you have made me proud.
“I am impressed with everything displayed today especially the female quarter guards and female squad displays,” she added.
Akinlade said that after watching displays from some of the personnel, she realized that the corps was equipped with skills unknown to the public.
“I have seen skills and capacities but the people don’t know it exists within the corps and they must know.
“Your skills and capacity is practical skills from the Armed Forces which is important to your mandate,” she said.
She sympathized with the Corps for the lives lost while in active service to the nation, praying that, their souls rest in peace.
“I pray not to lose any of you, which means you must show evidence that you are trained when facing the enemy, so do not take the trainings received for granted.”
Akinlade praised the NSCDC Commandant General (CG), Ahmed Audi, for his vision to reposition the Corps to meet up with world best standards.
“You are blessed with a focused, visionary and responsible leader, whose achievements will be written with the development of the corps,” she said.
Earlier in his remarks, the NSCDC CG appreciated the newly inaugurated Permanent Secretary for visiting the Corps first out of the agencies of the Ministry.
Audi assured that the Corps will continue to do its best alongside other security agencies in ensuring that the country is properly secured.
He said because security and national development worked hand-in-hand, there is need to ensure citizens and all national critical asset are protected.
The CG who disclosed that the Corps had unfortunately lost some personnel, pledged to continuously provide palliative support to victims through the intervention of the Federal Government.
“Despite the loses we are not deterred in doing our job and we will not relent but will continue to serve the country,” he said.
