The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC Anambra State Command, has charged residents to take ownership in the protection of Critical National, State and Local Government Assets and Infrastructure as a patriotic duty.
The State Commandant, Maku Olatunde, gave the charge while delivering a lecture at the maiden Amanuke Youth Summit in Amanuke held at the Amanuke Civic Centre, in Awka North L.G.A.
Represented by the Command’s image maker, Superintendent of Corps, Okadigbo Edwin, the State Commandant spoke on the topic: “Protection of Critical Assets and Infrastructure: The Role of the Youth in Homeland Security.”
Commandant Maku noted that critical assets such as roads, airports, seaports, railways, electricity grids, transformers, transmission cables, oil and gas pipelines, water supply facilities, schools, hospitals, government buildings, courts, national defence and security institutions, custodial facilities, telecom towers, fiber optic cables, and power generators at cell sites among others are the backbone of any nation. He warned that the destruction of these assets directly threatens national security, economic growth, and the wellbeing of citizens.
He identified theft, vandalism, and destruction of telecom’s physical and virtual assets, fibre cuts, sabotage, building on the right of way, illegal mining, and willful damage to government property as major threats to Critical National Assets, and urged participants to shun acts that compromise public infrastructure.
To address the challenge, the Commandant called for increased vigilance, intelligence sharing, and community-based surveillance. He also encouraged youths to report suspicious activities around critical assets to NSCDC through the Command’s emergency lines.
“The youths are the greatest stakeholders in nation building. When you protect these facilities in your community, you are protecting your own future,” he stated.
Commandant Maku stressed that youth participation in the protection of critical assets is essential in shaping a secure future for Amanuke town, the state and the country. He urged the youth to act as vanguards, ensuring they are not manipulated for political agendas but instead contribute meaningfully to protecting national assets.
“Nigeria’s future is in your hands, and I believe we must continue to work together. Our mission at the NSCDC is to protect our shared resources, and youth involvement is key to achieving this. We remain committed to proffering proactive measures against vandalism, violent crimes and other social vices. We will continue engaging with the youth for the peace and security of Anambra State,” he stated.
Highlighting the Corps’ mandate, he reiterated that NSCDC remains the lead agency in the protection of Critical National, State and Local Government Assets and Infrastructure. He assured that the Command under his leadership will continue to partner with traditional rulers, youth bodies, and community stakeholders to ensure assets in Awka North are adequately protected.
The youth summit also featured robust discussions and exchanges of ideas on youth empowerment, leadership, security, and community development, with participants expressing optimism that the resolutions reached would contribute to the continued growth and stability of Amanuke town.
