From Ifeoma Ejiofor, Awka
The International Civil Defence Organisation (ICDO) reaffirmed its commitment to playing its part in reducing risk of disasters and their impact throughout the world.
Secretary General, ICDO Mrs. Njoupouo Mariatou made the call last weekend during the occasion of 2024 World Civil Defense Day (WCDD) and Safe School Inauguration held at Anambra State Command Headquarters with the theme, “Honor Heroes and Promote Safety Skills”
Mariatou, represented by Anamba State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Maku Olatunde also reaffirmed ICDO’s commitment to ensuring training and technical assistance programmes tailored to the development of national civil defence systems.
She called for investment and deployment of innovative technologies to predict, prevent, prepare and respond to natural and man-made disasters.
She said the use of technology would strengthen the coordination of civil defence structures in emergency and risks management.
She identified technologies such as drones, satellites, robots, intelligent sensors, 3D technology, geographic information systems, the Internet and Artificial Intelligence as tools that Civil Defence players could use to predict, respond and manage emergencies.
According to the Secretary General, the use of technology will also improve the safety of the public and civil defence personnel.
She regretted that the year 2023 was marked by disasters such as cataclysmic earthquakes, floods and severe unrest of socio-political origins causing massive displacement of people to other countries.
From Isaac Ojo, Awka
The Senior Special
