Protocols
It is with great pleasure and delights that I welcome you to yet another epoch-making event marking the World Civil Defence Day Celebration which is an annual occasion for all the 60 member nations of the International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO).
Coincidentally, the day also mark an important milestone in the history of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). This is so because my appointment and decoration as the third (3rd) substantive Commandant General of the Corps is two years today.
Looking at our activities in retrospect, it gladdens my heart that the Corps has been making steady and remarkable progress in line with the theme of this year’s World Civil Defence Day, which is “The Role of Information Technologies in Risks Assessment”.
Prior to this time, disaster management, risk assessment, crime detection and prevention, protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI) like Petroleum Pipelines, Electrical Installations, Communication Equipment, Roads, Railways and others were relatively difficult but today, there is significant improvement.
The Corps has chosen appropriate protocols and controls to mitigate risks, create and implement emergency plans, monitor potential threats that could lead to disaster and prioritize the protection of humans and asset with the highest value.
In line with our mandates on disaster management, we have upgraded the Crisis Management Directorate by strategically organizing resources to lessen the harm that disasters cause through systematic approaches to sustaining the responsibilities of disaster prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery.
The Corps has also maintained a dogged fight against the activities of criminal elements such as vandals, economic saboteurs and oil thieves with the use of advanced technologies. Consequently, between January 2022 and to date, over 546 suspects have been arrested, 429 under prosecution, 51 convicted, 71 illegal refineries destroyed, 22 illegal oil bunkering sites destroyed, 134 trucks impounded, 36 boats and other equipment used in perpetrating illegal oil bunkering confiscated.
We are determined to make the Corps a world-class organization, that is why we are not relenting, but working hard to key into the global space and tapping from the experience of other members of the ICDO.
Due to the appreciation of Modern Information and Communication Technology, the Corps under my watch has upgraded its ICT center with state of the art facilities to meet up with challenges of modern crime fighting and management.
The Corps has designed, developed and deployed Integrated Electronic Arrest and Reporting system (i-Ears) for classified communication of intelligence, documentation of report from Divisional Commands to the Commandant General via State Commandants, Confidential Inter-Agency Data Sharing, Emergency Threat Reporting on real-time basis which was fully deployed to live stream and monitor security situation across the country during the first round of the 2023 General Elections.
Within these 2 years of providing leadership to the Corps, our ICT and cyber experts have designed, developed and deployed Electronic Disaster Alert Monitoring Application to enable NSCDC receive and jointly respond to fire, flood and other emergencies and to enable us provide crowd control, crime prevention and protection for response officers and equipment during emergencies.
The rapid spread of supporting digital infrastructure and devices has created the foundation for our efforts to jointly design, develop, and about deploy Address Verification System (AVS) in collaboration with NIPOST for the prevention of indiscriminate use of fake address to acquire national identity such as drivers licenses etc. It also provides for the protection of private security guards and traveler against mistaken arrest and detention.
We have facilitated the completion and implementation of Community and School Threat Alert and Broadcast System (C-STAB) as an early warning system to broadcast advancement of threats to the community and transmission of distress to security agencies.
The Corps has developed Agro-Rangers Secure Agric Produce Transport Corridor (SAT-C) and procurement of response monitoring devices. The SAT-C is aimed at protecting farmers, farmlands and farm produce from attack and provision of food right of way to control the damage of perishable goods due to traffic jams or illegal delays on the road.
Recall that only recently, the Corps designed and developed the School Gender Base Violence Reporting Application (SGBV App) for the prevention of sex for grade, counter-cultism, and rape reporting in hig\her educational institutions in Nigeria.
Additionally, a National School Security and Emergency Response Centre, located here at the National Headquarters of the Corps was flagged off as a timely intervention aimed at the protection of vulnerable school children in the country.
In view of the above, my administration’s resilience to reposition the Corps seek the support of all and sundry to reposition the Corps to an enviable height.
Distinguished Guests, ladies and gentlemen, as we step into the third year of my administration as the head of this noble Corps, let me assure you of our commitment to staff welfare, adequate training and retraining of staff to enhance their capacity, upgrading of facilities in all Civil Defence Training Colleges to enhance career progression, professionalism and better performance to meet present and future security challenges among others, motivate and further boost the morale of the Corps personnel to effectively deliver on our core mandate and impact positively on the Nation’s Internal Security Architecture.
Let me use this opportunity to appreciate you most sincerely for taking time out of your very busy schedule to identify with us and make this momentous occasion of the World Civil Defense Day and the Anniversary of my two years in office memorable and colourful. May Almighty God in His infinite mercy continues to bless, guide and protect you and grant you journey mercy back to your various destinations.
Thank you for your attention.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria