Emma Elekwa
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command has urged students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam to adopt safety-first mindset and play active roles as first responders during emergencies.
State Commandant, Commandant Maku Olatunde gave the advice during a public enlightenment lecture delivered during the inaugural workshop of the Students’ Accident, Emergency and Safety Unit.
Delivering the lecture titled, “Understanding Types of Emergencies: Preparedness, Response, and the Role of Citizens,” Maku, represented by Command’s Spokesperson, Okadigbo Edwin stressed that emergencies occur without warning and the first response often determines the outcome.
“Emergencies do not send invitations. They happen in hostels, lecture halls, markets, and on our roads. When they do, your first response can be the difference between life and death.
“Emergency is any sudden, unexpected situation that poses an immediate threat to life, property, health, or the environment and requires urgent action,” he said.
The NSCDC boss identified key characteristics of emergencies as suddenness, threat, and urgency, noting that normal procedures cannot handle them.
“Common campus emergencies include fire outbreaks from electrical faults, medical incidents such as stampedes and food poisoning, security threats like cult clashes and kidnapping attempts, natural disasters, infrastructure failures, and public health crises.
Emergency management cycle
While outlining the four-phase Emergency Management Cycle adopted by the NSCDC: Mitigation/Prevention, Preparedness, Response and Recovery, Maku advised the students to focus on mitigation, preparedness, and early response, while leaving high-risk operations to trained responders.
He also charged students to take personal responsibility for safety by knowing their environment, saving emergency numbers, volunteering with safety groups, reporting suspicious activities and avoiding the spread of false alarms.
“Emergencies test systems, but they reveal people. Nigeria needs students who are not just certificate holders, but safety-conscious citizens. You are our first responder in your hostel, your department, your faculty,” he stated.
Reaffirming the Command’s commitment to protection of lives, property and Critical National Assets, Maku called for collective efforts to build a safety culture.
“Let us build a safety culture together, because the best emergency is the one that never happens,” he added.
Earlier, representatives of various security agencies and sponsors of the inaugural workshop were received by the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Kate Omenugha.
Highlight of the workshop was presentation of the University Award for Community Service to the State Commandant, Maku Olatunde.
