In a bid to raise awareness on the need to protect public assets, the College of Bishops, Imams, and Clergy Councils (CBICC) has hinted that it will partner with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to mobilise religious leaders to lead the campaign for the preservation of public assets across the country.

In a statement signed by Bishop Abel King and Sheikh Ibrahim Ali, the President and Secretary General of CBICC respectively and made available to journalists in Abuja while announcing the partnership, the clerics hinged their decision on the pragmatic reforms of the Commandant General (CG) Dr Audi Abubarkar whom they describe as a model of ideal and excellent leadership.

According to the statement, “the decision to join forces with the NSCDC comes in light of the recent reforms implemented by the Commandant General of the NSCDC. The CG, who is the first to be appointed from within the ranks has proved himself worthy of the appointment and has been an ideal and excellent CG whose ideas must be supported and sustained. The NSCDC in recent times has been at the forefront of initiatives geared towards the protection of public assets.” Especially in preventing oil bunkering in the Niger/Delta General Area of Responsibility and beyond.

The Clerics also commended NSCDC for its commitment to upholding human rights and professionalism in its operations. The commitment according to the group has led to internal discipline within the service, a development it added has led to a decrease in corrupt practices among its personnel, establishing its complimentary role with other conventional security agencies on a strong footing.

“The NSCDC under Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi has repositioned the Corps and established it as a dependable and indispensable complimentary force and actor in the Nigerian security structure. With excellent performance in the protection of critical national assets, field security and peace missions as well as election duty, NSCDC has stamped its foot firmly as an agency to be reckoned with as far as the security of lives and property is concerned in Nigeria.

“It is our firm belief that increased inter-agency cooperation will go a long way in maximising the gains made by the NSCDC under the current leadership,” the statement added.

Hinting on the rationale of the partnership, the statement averred that, “the collaboration between the CBICC and the NSCDC is a testament to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda of the religious body.

“By partnering with the NSCDC, the CBICC aims to demonstrate support of Nigerians and encourage the organisation to do more in safeguarding public assets and infrastructure that belong to all Nigerians. It emphasised the need for individuals to take personal responsibility for public assets and actively engage with the NSCDC and other security agencies for the benefit of the entire society.

“To kick start the campaign, a rally will be held at Unity Fountain in Abuja on Friday, the 21st of July, 2023. This will be followed by zonal rallies by our members in the six geopolitical zones of the country. As religious leaders who have access to the common people, we are in a position to create awareness and emphasise the importance of protecting public assets for the collective well-being of all Nigerians”.

The statement further described the partnership between CBICC and NSCDC as “a significant step towards fostering a culture of public asset protection in Nigeria,” insisting that “through this joint effort, the message of responsibility and public co-ownership will resonate with the populace, leading to a greater sense of civic duty as well as a safer and secured society for all.”