The World Drowning Prevention Day celebration is set to be held on 25th July 2024 at 29 Marine Road Apapa Lagos Mission to Seafarers Centre at 11am by Nigeria Marine Coastguard Volunteer Service (NMCGVS).
This was disclosed by Captain Isaac O Adamolekun, who also doubles as the Chief Of Nigeria Marine Coastguard Volunteer Service ahead of the celebrations, to create awareness on the need for safety measures and procedures that are vital for life preservation and especially since this is the peak of the rainy season in Nigeria.
The event which is a global celebration, continues to focus on raising awareness on drowning as a public health issue, reminding people that anyone can drown, but no one should. The human, social and economic toll of these losses is intolerably high, and entirely preventable.
Safety measures in areas where people are exposed to water like swimming areas, natural water bodies and even flooding is a deliberate and essential knowledge that needs to be imparted especially in homes, schools and offices.
NMCGVS personnel undergo an intensive six-month professional training program in collaboration with the Federal College of Fisheries and Marine Technology, Victoria Island, Lagos. Their training includes regimented seaborne rescue swimming, which is designed to prepare them for national assignments aimed at preventing and responding to drowning incidents.
NMCGVS is a dedicated seaborne para-military humanitarian organization which is set up to support prevention of drowning and being first responders to help at rescue across the nation.