At the Nigeria Marine Coast Guard Volunteer Service (NMCGVS) National headquarters in Lagos, Captain Isaac O. Adamolekun laid out the organization’s Vision , mission and National Assignment to tackle the urgent issue of drowning and water-related emergencies across Nigeria. As a pioneering initiative, the NMCGVS seeks to bridge critical gaps in maritime search &rescue and emergency response, providing a Seaborne humanitarian Lifesaving alternative to address these challenges effectively.
The NMCGVS focuses on combating drowning across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Acting as first responders, the service is dedicated to Combating Drowning ,addressing flood emergencies, maritime transport accidents, and Marine suicide prevention on long bridges like Lagos’ Third Mainland Bridge. It also prioritizes safety in marine tourism, organizes seminars and symposium on safe water usage, and undertakes research into marine safety, accident investigation, and rescue recommendations.
Captain Adamolekun highlighted that while the NMCGVS is legally registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) as a legal entity, it requires formal Government gazetting to operate effectively on a national scale. This recognition, akin to that of the Nigerian Red Cross Society, would empower the NMCGVS to collaborate seamlessly with agencies such as the Nigerian Navy, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
A key concern raised during the interview was the growing push by some individuals to transform the coast guard into a militarized arm of the Nigerian armed forces. Captain Adamolekun strongly advises that the bill is not properly brought before the house for passage and that proper consultation with Maritime Stakeholder should be done to ascertain what type of Coastguard is needed in Nigeria Maritime domain Coastguard Volunteer or Militarise Coastguard and what are their implications , all over the world, developed Maritime nations operate either Coastguard Volunteer or Militarised Coastguard.. so also Maritime Stakeholders and citizens of Nigeria most decide which Coastguard they want and can manage easily in Nigeria
Considering the fact that Coastguard formation or a separate Coastguard from the Nigerian Navy is necessary in Nigeria as a Maritime Nation.. he also state that Nigeria Marine Coastguard Volunteer Service already operating in Nigeria is designed to function as a non-armed volunteer organization focused on Seaborne humanitarian Lifesaving service and Marine emergency rescue operations. He stressed that a militarized Coastguard is complicated , and need proper deligation with other Arms of the Armed forces and must go through due process, unlike the one currently presented at the senate floor .
Captain Adamolekun asserted that The NMCGVS was not established to be arm of the military. The concept of a military coast guard, as proposed in a private bill, undermines the due process as stated in the Nigeria Construction section 217 subsect 1 NMCGVS must align with its foundational goals, ensuring it remains a non-militarized entity, but Regimented Seaborne humanitarian Lifesaving service ,focused on saving lives and promoting public safety around our nations large bodies of waters.
Through still making consultation on getting NMCGVS gazetted ass national entity , NMCGVS has made commendable progress. It has trained Coastguard Volunteer rescue swimmers in seamanship, boat handling, radar watch keeping , Marine radio communication , signals, Rescue swimming , personnel survival, basic firefighting, basic first Aids, gear work or rope work and search-and-rescue techniques that meet international standards in conjunction with Federal college of fisheries and Marine Technology VI Lagos and our International partners. The organization has also participated in awareness campaigns such as the World Drowning Prevention Day and conducted limited rescue operations, including accesssing flood victims in areas like Kara and Riverview Estate between Lagos and Ogun States. However, the lack of essential equipment, such as inflatable rescue boats, continues to hinder its capacity to respond fully to emergencies.
Captain Adamolekun reiterated that the NMCGVS’ Regimented Seaborne humanitarian Lifesaving service status is not a limitation but a strength, enabling the organization to focus exclusively on lifesaving operations without the complexities of militarization. In hazardous situations, collaboration with the Nigerian Navy, DSS, and other security agencies ensures the safety of volunteers.
The NMCGVS is actively seeking government gazetting to formalize its operations. Captain Adamolekun has reached out to stakeholders, including the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, the Managing Director of NIWA, and NIMASA, to foster partnerships and gain acknowledgment. He has also appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the National Assembly to grant the NMCGVS official status as a national entity, by gazetting Nigeria Marine Coastguard Volunteer Service to carry out regimebted Seaborne humanitarian Lifesaving service in Combating Drowning in Nigeria.
Captain Adamolekun underscored the economic and operational benefits of maintaining the NMCGVS as a Regimented ( with strict pattern of Discipline) Seaborne humanitarian lifesaving Service , non-militarized organization. By synergising with Nigerian Navy and all other Maritime Stakeholder to some of its non-combatant duties, the NMCGVS could enhance Nigeria’s capacity to manage challenges like flooding, drowning, and other water-related emergencies. And also promote safety development in Maritime transportation and tourism to bring in investors .Furthermore, NMCGVS Regimented Seaborne humanitarian Lifesaving service structure encourages greater community engagement and ensures focus on its humanitarian mandate.
With adequate government recognition and support, the NMCGVS aims to become a vital component of Nigeria’s Maritime emergency response framework. Its commitment to public water safety and humanitarian service remains steadfast, emphasizing collaboration over militarization to create safer waterways, beaches, water parks, swimming pool and reduce preventable loss of life.
Captain Adamolekun concluded by calling for public and governmental support to preserve the Regimented Seaborne humanitarian Lifesaving ethos of the NMCGVS, ensuring it fulfills her Vision , mission and national assignments of combating drowning and safeguarding lives across Nigeria.
