Alhaji Ibrahim Gana Muhammadu, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) can be described a “great Nigerian” who believes in God, hard work, courtesy, service to community, and creativity. Being a long-standing epitome of tolerance, peace and creativity, he has been working on taking the corps to the next level since his assumption of office in 2015.
The Civil Defence is a para-military agency of rhe Federal Government under the Ministry of Internal Affairs mandated the Act of Parliament of 2003 as amended in 2007 with specific functions to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, register, train ,license and monitor private security guard companies in Nigeria, efficiently carry out disaster management through search and rescue, rehabilitation and mitigation among others.
And with growing security challenges, the corps involves in election assignments, help out in monitoring examinations across the country. And where there security disturbances at the local level, the corps also helps calm the waters. Doing all these things have portrayed the corps as an agency that will help Nigeria achieve its future aspirations for a robust, thriving and sustainable economy.
These done, C-G Muhammadu has also been improving the relationship between the NSCDC and members of the public, building mutual confidence and putting the country’s security on a safer track. He is keen to ensure that the NSCDC provide the highest levels of community happiness through providing the most innovative smart security services to the nation and members of the public. And true to his words, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps has been an example of relentless progress and the bedrock of trust in security and stability in the country.
Naturally, all human are into the aim of thriving our lives and security helps community live in peace as people want to have flourishing businesses and fulfilling lives, to nurture what is the best within themselves and improve their life experience. Creating assurance for people, civil Defence brings to our lives enormous benefits and that is what makes this security outfit as of pride and trust within the national security architecture. It is arguably the most trusted security outfit of government, with very disciplined and responsible officers, mostly credited with compassion. This has been the Nigerian Civil defence under C-G Muhammdu.
Appointed in July 2015 by President Muhammadu Buhari, Gana Muhammadu embarked on agenda setting aimed at repositioning and re-defining the mandate of the corps in line with global best practices. His successes in NSCDC can be attributed to hard work and dedication to building symbiotic relationships which includes adding value to people, having the habit of giving and also working and partnering with the right people. Apart from these, his upbringing also plays a role in life and work.
Raised to be a God-fearing family in a community of decent human beings, he has been taught early in life to believe in himself and value patience, which is why he is always grateful for all the experiences has had; the pleasant ones and the challenging ones, and all the people who have made an impact on him.
When you hear your parents talk about their values so often and you see them live those values, you tend to grow up internalizing those values as well. In his family, principles of forthrightness and fortitude were highly treasured. When he deals with colleagues and surbodinates, these ideals become quite useful, and every day he sees the results in the deep and long-term relationships he is able to build with partners and stakeholders.
Thus he focuses efforts on building the future of NSCDC based on a forward-looking vision that adopts global trends and developments, recruits the brightest young minds and supports officers, encourages new innovations and creative ideas, and embraces advanced technologies to deploy security solutions to the nation. With these, NSCDC is fast becoming a defender of choice to the people.
In this context, it is important to look at the roles of the corps within the political-economy of Nigeria, especially when it relates to oil, emergency rescue and disaster mitigation. Refer to the fact that since oil is the backbone of the Nigerian economy, the NSCDC has the mandate of securing critical infrastructure. And it has been maintaining its leading role in the protection of oil pipelines and other critical oil assets across Nigeria with much integrity. And it has made significant progress in this area by reducing to the barest minimum incidences of pipeline vandalization and oil theft. Thus it is contributing a higher added value to the economy.
Another area of contributions of the NSCDC is in the area of building trust and relationship with the civil populace. The relationship between security agencies and the public has often been mired in crisis for much of the time. This is because many decision-makers at the helm of affairs in the country security services believe that building mutual confidence and putting relations with the public on track will be a challenging long-term endeavour.
Communication with public seems to inch close to routine, deepening trust and making it more easy to reduce tensions and avoid miscalculation. The current state of affairs does serve the strategic interests of NSCDC and the country, and it puts national security on a better footing.
This particular strategy has improved public perception of the NSCDC under the watch of CG Muahammadu. Consequently, the significance of NSCDC in society has gathered more traction. And it is profoundly important to acknowledge, recognize and appreciate the roles of the civil Defence officers in helping to maintain peace and curtail sundry crimes such as rape, election violence and pipeline vandalism across the country. As part of the security architecture of government, they help maintain law and order as well as promote the rule of law in security matters and enable justice to prevail. Their roles are significant and highly appreciated particularly in this era characterized by ethnic tension and large movements of people from one jurisdiction to another for various reasons.
Its officers are highly civil. Despite the fact that these officers deal with a wide range of, often complex and substantial issues, even outside tackling security problems, such as providing rescue during emergencies. they display a high level of intellect, including honed emotional intelligence and the ability to master and deal with complex issues quickly. What matters most to them is fairness and justice. The public mood, political correctness and bias do not influence their decisions. They ensure that their decisions on the balance of probabilities are fair, sustainable and free from errors. They effectively approach their work with an open mind. When they apprehend offenders, they scrutinize matters and evidences with a wider lens. And more importantly, they put service to the nation above self.
The recently concluded election in Edo state is a pointer to this. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), had before that election disclosed that it deployed 13, 311 personnel and 60 sniffer dogs ahead of the Edo State governorship election to check electoral violence and ensure the safety of voters.
Commandant –General Muhammadu, said the personnel were trained on COVID-19 pandemic safety guidelines for the election and to ensure that all electoral malpractices, violence, hooliganism and other vices that could affect the smooth conduct of the election were effectively checkmated.
He stated this during a meeting with chairmen of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) in Abuja. Muhammadu said the agency would ensure that its personnel were well trained before being deployed to provide security anywhere in the country.
A statement issued by the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the agency, Emmanuel Okeh, noted that the 13,311 personnel deployed to Edo State were drawn from the headquarters and neighbouring states of Kogi, Anambra, Bayelsa, Delta and Ondo to complement officers of Edo the State and Zonal Command in Benin
Despite the tumultuous episodes and frantic permutations preceding the Edo State governorship election, both the conduct and outcome of that election was not surprising to peace-loving Nigerians. Given the resources and goodwill expended, the election reflected some modest credibility and the peace, which well-meaning Nigerians didn’t anticipate.
Thanks to the forceful measures taken to ensure peace, the September 14 election experienced relative calm. Graciously, contrary to the initial expectations of many watchers of the event, the security agencies, especially NSCDC personified in Gana himself, did not succumb to the parochialism and corruption. At least to the average man on the street, the expected deployment of ‘‘federal might’’ to determine the outcome of the election was virtually absent. This too wasn’t expected.
The lesson expressed here is that when people are assured of safety and protection from harassment during elections, the electorate would not fear to exercise their franchise. NSCDC members, as a result of their institutional culture on their own disregard the overtures of selfish and non-performing politicians and comport themselves with civility during elections. What is further revealed is the level to which misguided leadership has affected Nigerians. For a long time, critical political watchers have described elections in Nigeria as a hopeless situation, a travesty of democracy and a threat to the principles of good governance. But with performance of institution like the NSCDC that perception is changing.
Salute to CG Muhammadu, the management team and leaders of the NSCDC. The deep-rooted and benevolent values that are embedded in the structure of the organization have created a strong perception of trust for it, allowing members of the public to feel secure with the presence of its personnel.
The leadership of the NSCDC is guided by a high degree of professionalism, mutual respect, efficiency and empathy, which should be a benchmark for all security agencies to emulate and follow all over. Whatever the crisis, the NSCDC personnel have always stepped forward to provide help and solace to those in distress. In this way, this security institution is helping the government has put good governance into place and has left no stone unturned in improving the lives of the residents.
Nigerians are extremely helpful, humble and welcome people openly. Their hospitality is amazing, and this is due to the strong virtues they carry wherever they go. With a discipline institution like the NSCDC in place to assure security in a friendly atmosphere, people are happy and truly proud to move freely in this amazing country, and warmly cherish the experiences they have with members of the civil defence..
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