The newly appointed Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr Oluwatoyin Akinlade has charged the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to be civil and ensure the protection of citizens at all times.
She said this while addressing officers and men of the Corps during her working visit to the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja.
She said that it was important for personnel of the Corps to be approachable by citizens without fear.
“Please show love and care to the people in a way that when they see you they will not run away, they should see you and embrace you instead.
“Citizens should see you as part of them and as the ones protecting the nation and the future of their children,” she said.
Dr Akinlade urged personnel to develop a sense of loyalty and harmonious working relationship amongst themselves and the masses they protect.
She enjoined all officers and men to be good ambassadors of the Ministry, the Corps and the nation at large. Reiterating that the conduct of personnel within and outside the office determines how members of the society perceived the Corps.
“As civil defenders, the responsibilities of defending the civil populace lie on your shoulders.
“You must perform well and discharge your duties without intimidating the citizens.
“The roles you play are very important in achieving security for the nation, as we can not have any meaningful development without security.
She expressed satisfaction with the Commandant General of the NSCDC, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, mni, OFR, over the establishment of the female squad, adding that she was impressed by the gallant display of the squad and others during her visit.
She praised the CG for his vision to reposition the Corps to meet up with the world’s best standards.
“This is the first facility under the Ministry of Interior that I am visiting and you have made me proud.
“I am impressed with all the displays today especially the female quarter guards and female squad displays.
“I have seen skills and capacities people don’t know exist within the Corps.
“You are blessed with a focused, visionary and responsible leader, whose achievements will be written with the development of the Corps,” she said.
NSCDC CG earlier in his welcome address, appreciated the newly inaugurated Permanent Secretary for visiting the Corps first amongst other agencies of the Ministry.
Audi said that the Corps will continue to do its best in ensuring that the country was properly secured alongside other security agencies.
He said that because security and national development work hand-in-hand, there is a need to ensure citizens and all national critical assets are protected.
The CG however said that the Corps had unfortunately lost some personnel but 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.
