By; Mohammed Kawu, Bauchi
Governor Bala Mohammed has recalled the acrimonies, suspicions, and mistrust against the establishment of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the 80s when he was posted to the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a Desk Officer in charge of civil defense.
The Governor noted however that today the NSCDC has grown, and is positively contributing to the security architecture of the country, saying “I’m proud of the civil defense corps”.
“I was filled with nostalgia at the time when I was deployed to the Ministry of Internal Affairs as a desk officer in charge of civil defense. One of the pioneer commanders, Mr. Solomon of blessed memory from Calabar gave me the responsibility to reposition the civil defense”, he said.
Senator Bala Mohammed who was Friday responding to an award of excellence conferred on him by the NSCDC at a ceremony held in Bauchi, said “I am also proud of the way and manner the police accepted the corps, following the suspicion that they were taking over the roles of the police”.
He explained that the civil defence corps have eventually become the veritable partners of the police, and even the military, hence the need for partnership collaboration among the various security agencies in the country.
“For the civil defense to come up with the initiative of this award conferment, it will spur on some of us to maximally exploit our capacities and potentials to contribute positively to the growth and development of the. country”.
The Governor positioned, “This honor is not done to me alone, it is done to my family, and indeed Bauchi state and all politicians. I’m a man of many constituencies as a civil servant, journalist, media man, politician, legislature, and now Chief Executive”.
Governor Bala who stated that his political ambition is to see that there is no poverty on the surface of the earth, especially in Nigeria, added “Nigeria is a beautiful country, it has given all of us an opportunity, especially some of us that are Federalists”.
“Our complexity is a source of solace and comfort, the way we interacted in the administrative cadre where the principal officer who is the permanent secretary see you as a son, mentor, irrespective of where he came from, this is how Nigeria should be”.
“We have found ourselves in the present situation because we defaulted, and the faultlines must be repaired, we must converge, and we must relate with one another. In the minuted or small community, you will see civil defense Corp in the protection of the country, I hope this will continue”.
Mohammed, also recalled that the primary responsibility of any responsible government is the provision of safety and security, and therefore stressed the need for the government to employ more civil defense officers to man the unmanned areas of the country.
He also called for the provision of arms/equipment to the civil defense corps, saying “Don’t expose the corps, including those of road safety to the vagaries of the society, “That’s why you see the road safety corps always staying by the side of police checkpoints”.
To this end, the governor advocated that the NSCDC must be taken into recognition whenever the Nigerian Constitution is to be reviewed, having asserted itself as an organization to discharge its statutory responsibility within the law.
The Governor, however, changes gear when he conclusively says, “I, would be selfish, I dedicate this award to the father. My father was a teacher, a headmaster, the first headmaster around Bauchi province in the 1930s and 1940s, and he taught us to eschew corruption, to work hard, I was the least intelligent in my family with a degree in English”.
The award of excellence as the ‘Hero of NSCDC’ was earlier presented to the governor by the NSCDC Commandant, ILelaboye Wa’idi Oyejide which, he said, is symbolic in the history of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Commandant Ilelaboye Oyejide said however that the award was supposed to be given on 1st March 2024 but was postponed to Friday due to the exigencies of the governor, saying the event symbolizes the International Civil Defence Organization, which is being celebrated on the 1st of March every year globally.
Oyejide gave the theme of this year’s celebration as ‘Honouring The Heros’ and is geared to raise awareness about the importance of civil defense measures in protecting the people and their properties from natural disasters, accidents, and emergencies.
He explained that the day honors the World several organizations and individuals, as it also recognizes efforts being put in by organizations and individuals to safeguard communities and the civilized saying ‘A hero is someone who demonstrates exceptional courage, bravery, selflessness in the face of adversities whether in private or political life’
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