The Nigerian Marine Coast Guards Volunteer Service(NMCGVS) has joined other world agencies to celebrate the United Nations approved World Drowning Prevention Day which is celebrated on July 25th every year.
The event which held in Lagos, was marked by presentations,real life simulation of drowning, rescue and speeches of personnel who are graduates from the NMCGVS.
In his opening speech, Captain Femi Daramola, spoke on the essentiality of learning rescue skills as a basic necessity to everyone. He also harped on the need for an upgrade to NMCGVS to be able to carry out rescue operations effectively.
Some trainee graduates who are now personnel, also gave presentations on vital roles of NMCGVS as first respondents with search and rescue operations, communication, transportation and medics to reduce the impact of on-site and natural disasters. They stated that technology is key in their operations especially with real-life digital imaging, drones and GPS to also manage situations.
The Chief Commanding Officer of Nigerian Marine Coast Guard Volunteer Service, Captain Isaac Adamolekun, who is a marine specialist, and an associate member of Marine Aids, Navigation and Light House Association, made a powerful power point presentation on the World Drowning Prevention Day. He said that with data collated since 2012, it has shown that many states in Nigeria are prone to flood disasters and the Volunteer Service needs to put in more effort towards rescuing people from drowning and aquatic predators. Thus, NMCGVS is proactive towards mitigating the dangers associated with the terrain. With adequate professional training in swimming and seamanship skills, they are poised to continue this service across the 36 states of country and the Federal Capital Territory.
He called on International organizations, The Federal Government, State governments and other stakeholders in their line of work to give adequate funding and professional equipment to make their work successful. He appealed to the necessary bodies and organizations to aid NMCGVS with expanding their network across the country to enable their personnel to be in fixed bases and help with provision of heavy equipment like jet skis, surfboards and other necessary tools.
The high point of the event was a demonstration of rescue operation and first respondency in drowning by Captain Adamolekun and some personnel of the Service.
The media strongly advocates to the Federal Government, State governments and stakeholders in the maritime industry, to put in place the necessary structure, adequate resources for funding and the professional equipment needed, to the Nigerian Marine Coast Guards Volunteer Service as a key body in the drive for rescue and operations across national and regional levels in the country.
