Air Vice Marshal Abiola Amodu, the Commandant of Air Force Research and Development Centre, Osogbo, says heroes risking their lives to protect the nation deserve utmost respect and gratitude.
Amodu said this while delivering a lecture at Civil Defence Day celebration and the passing-out-parade of new recruits of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence (NSCDC), on Friday in Osogbo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the celebration has as its theme “Honour Heroes and Promote Safety Skills”.
Represented by Air Cdr Aderibigbe Adebomehin, the Centre’s Director of Artificial Intelligence Research, Amodu said that one of the best ways to honour “our heroes is by promoting safety skills”.
“In every society, there are groups or individuals who go above and beyond to keep us safe, often risking their own lives in the process.
“These heroes deserve our utmost respect and gratitude.
“Honouring heroes is not just about acknowledging their bravery and sacrifices. It is also learning from their example.
“Heroes embody qualities that we can all emulate, such as their bravery, sacrifices, loyalty, courage, selflessness and a commitment to greater good.
“They remind us that each of us has the potential to make a difference no matter how big or small our actions may seem.
“One of the best ways to honour our heroes is by promoting safety skills.
“This could be achieved by empowering individuals to take control of their safety and the safety of those around them,” he said.
In his speech, Dr Akintayo Adaralewa, Osun Commandant of NSCDC, said civil defence day celebration, which started in 1990, was aimed at creating awareness on the importance of civil defence in protecting people and their property from natural and man-made disaster.
Adaralewa said the day was set aside to honour the work of several civil defence organisation and recognises the efforts put in place by the corps in protecting communities and saving lives.
He said that civil defence globally, had been involved in conflict prevention and control of violent conflicts caused by natural and man-made.
“While participating in the mitigation process, our men sometimes get wounded, maimed or even pay the supreme price by being killed in the process.
” Today, just like the Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration, we remember our gallant officers and men that have lost their lives in the course of protecting lives and property”, he said.
He also commended Dr Abubakar Audi, NSCDC Commandant-General, on his efforts at ameliorating the living condition of dependant left behind by the fallen heroes through payment of millions of naira to their next of kin and absorbing some of them into the corps through enlistment.
Adaralewa urged the 159 new recruits to be professional, dutiful, loyal, trustworthy, obedient, selfless and Gallant in the discharge of their duties.
Earlier in his remarks, Gov. Ademola Adeleke, said NSCDC has emerged critical security organisation in the country and performing creditably well in its core mandate of protecting government assets and ensuring general safety of lives and property.
Represented by his Special Adviser on Security, Samuel Ojo, Adeleke urged the new recruits to uphold the rule of law, preserve peace and safeguard the well being of the people.(NAN)
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