By Isaiah Eka
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Command in Akwa Ibom has reiterated its commitment to professional standards and the protection of the nation’s critical assets.
The Commandant, Mrs Geraldine Abetianbe, stated this at a thanksgiving service in commemoration of the 2026 International Civil Defence Day (ICD) in Uyo.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme for the 2026 ICD is: “Managing Environmental Risks for a Resilient and Sustainable Future”
Abetianbe said that the theme aimed to tackle environmentally harmful habits, and to be deliberate about the safety of lives and property.
She urged the citizenry to take actions against practices that could damage the environment, saying that efforts should be made to ensure a resilient future.
The NSCDC official said that it was important for the citizenry to support the efforts of governments by indulging in acts that would protect the environment, and keep it healthy for habitation.
“It is our collective responsibility to clean our environment, avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse, especially in drainages to avoid blockage,” she said.
Abetianbe urged members of the public to adhere strictly to the predictions of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) to avoid tragic incidents.
“NiMeT prediction is not death sentence. It is a wake-up call on us to take proactive measures, enhance preparedness, and evolve risk mitigation frameworks,” she said.
The commandant commended the Akwa Ibom government for the ongoing desilting of drainages in Uyo metropolis.
She stated that the International Civil Defence Day was marked globally by all 61 member countries, including Nigeria.
Abetianbe said that the purpose was to draw attention to issues bothering on emergencies, disaster, humanitarian efforts coordination, and environmental risks reduction.
Earlier, Mrs Aisueni Mmandu, the Head, Operations, National Emergency Management Agency, Uyo Office, urged residents of the state to take action against practices that could damage the environment.
Aisueni said that the 2026 weather forecast by NiMet listed Akwa Ibom as a flood-prone state, saying, “it’s a call on us to be more precautions”.
She warned against littering, improper waste disposal, harmful agricultural practices, uncontrolled mining and quarrying to avoid flooding. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Chinyere Nwachukwu and Azubuike Okeh
