Abuja: Uyo: 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, emphasized these priorities during a thanksgiving service marking the 2026 International Civil Defence Day (ICD) in Uyo.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the theme for the 2026 ICD is ‘Managing Environmental Risks for a Resilient and Sustainable Future’. Abetianbe highlighted that the theme focuses on addressing environmentally harmful behaviors and ensuring the safety of lives and property. She encouraged the public to actively counter practices that could harm the environment and contribute to a resilient future.
The NSCDC official stressed the importance of public support for governmental efforts by engaging in environmentally protective acts, ensuring the environment remains healthy for habitation. ‘It is our collective responsibility to clean our environment, avoid indiscriminate dumping of refuse, especially in drainages to avoid blockage,’ she stated.
Abetianbe also advised the public to adhere to predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMET) to prevent tragic events. ‘NiMET prediction is not a death sentence. It is a wake-up call on us to take proactive measures, enhance preparedness, and evolve risk mitigation frameworks,’ she explained.
Commending the Akwa Ibom government for ongoing drainage desilting efforts in Uyo, the commandant noted that International Civil Defence Day is observed globally by all 61 member countries, including Nigeria, to highlight issues related to emergencies, disaster, humanitarian efforts coordination, and environmental risk reduction.
Earlier, Mrs. Aisueni Mmandu, Head of Operations at the National Emergency Management Agency’s Uyo Office, urged state residents to act against environmentally damaging practices. She noted that NiMET’s 2026 weather forecast identified Akwa Ibom as a flood-prone state, emphasizing the need for increased precautionary measures.