The Minister of State for Niger Delta Affairs, Sen. Tayo Alasoadura, has described the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as efficient, effective and complementary to the security network of the country.
Alasoadura said this on Friday when he inaugurated the NSCDC Agro-Ranger Tower in Eleyowo, Akure North Local Government Area of Ondo State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the tower was donated to the NSCDC by Mr Lateef Aderomilehin, the Director of L.A. Investment in Akure.
The minister noted that the corps had contributed immensely to the security network of the country, saying that he would continue to support its visions.
Alasoadura recalled that he had built an edifice for the corps’ activities within Iju in Iju/Itaogbolu Local Government Area of Ondo State, adding that he felt prompted to assist the NSCDC as a call to the service of the nation.
The minister, who promised to provide one million naira for the take-off of the tower, assured the corps of his constant assistance.
“I am surprised at what I saw here today and I know that the NSCDC is efficient, effective and complementary to the security network of the country because, after food; I believe security is the next,” he said.
In his address of welcome, the State Commandant of the corps, Dr Hammed Abodunrin, appreciated the donor for the gesture.
He said that the tower would ease the corps’ operations around the airport because NSCDC personnel had been the one providing round-the- clock-security services to the airport.
Abodunrin explained that it was the directives of the Commandant-General, Mr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, to have agro-ranger bases in all the NSCDC formations across the country.
That prompted the donor to build the tower and donated it to the NSCDC as part of his support in reducing crime in the state, he said.
The commandant called on other philanthropists to emulate the donor by contributing their quota to the development of the country, especially, in the area of security in order to reduce the rate of crimes in the society.
“With this facility and equipment provide for our personnel, we will be able to carry out enough surveillance and be able to nip crimes in the bud.
“We need to support the government; we need to also be our brothers’ keeper. When we help a place to grow, there is no way we will not grow with it but when we also bring a place down we are going down with it.
“So, people must keep contributing their quota to the development of the country as far as security is concerned.
“Apart from donating equipment and offices, people should also be very vigilant and be courageous to provide timely information to security agents so that they can tackle any form of criminality,” he said.
The Olu of Eleyewo, Oba Agunbiade Adesina, who also appreciated the donor for the gesture, solicited a vehicle for the NSCDC personnel in the area to enhance their job.
The traditional ruler promised that all the traditional rulers in the area would give full moral support to the security agents.
“It is a security risk if we don’t support the security agents and I thank God that we are in cooperation with the government. And with this new development, the criminals will be scared to operate on our roads,” he said.
Also, Mr Abayomi Monilari, the state Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), said that the citing of the tower within the community was a welcome idea.
Monilari who noted that, that would help to drive away criminals from the area, asked for the extension of such facility to other parts of the state.
He said that the relationship existing between the farmers and the NSCDC personnel in the state was cordial.
The AFAN chairman commended the efforts of the NSCDC and the other security agencies in the state for rescuing 10 farmers kidnapped some days ago without any ransom paid by their family members.
Mr Lateef Aderomilehin, the donor, who was represented by Mr Tope Aladejana called on the citizens not to leave security matters to the government alone.
He said that the only way people could sleep with their two eyes closed was to complement the efforts of the security agents.
Aderomilehin, therefore, appealed to the NSCDC personnel to maintain the building so that it would encourage others to do more for security agents in the state.