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Tag: officers

  • FRSC redeploys 71 senior officers

    The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, has approved the redeployment of 71 senior officers nationwide for enhanced performance.

    News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the redeployment, aimed at repositioning the commission, affected three zonal commanding officers alongside several sector commanders.

    Mr. Ayodele Kumapayi, the former Sector Commander in Rivers, who was recalled recently for forcibly cutting the hair of some female personnel, is now the Head of Corps Safety and Transport Office at the national headquarters, Abuja.

    He was replaced by Corps Commander Imoh Etuk, who was formally the Corps Public Education Officer at the headquarters.

    In the redeployment released by FRSC Secretary, Susan Ajenge, Kingsley Agomo, the former Zonal Commanding Officer of Zone 7, Abuja, was moved to Zone 6, Port Harcourt.

    Jonas Agwu, who was in charge of Zone 6, Port Harcourt, was redeployed to Zone 4, Jos.

    The erstwhile Commanding Officer of Zone 4 Jos, Oludare Fadogba, takes over the affairs of Zone 7, Abuja.

    Corps Commander Bisi Kazeem, who was the Head of Media Relations and Strategy at the headquarters, takes over from Etuk as the new Corps Public Education Officer.

  • Kudos for HIV/AIDS Coalition at officers’election

    A new set of officers, (co-chairs) have been inaugurated to run the affairs of the Nigerian Business Coalition Against AIDS (NIBUCAA). The event took place at the Skyline Terrace of Oriental Hotel in Lagos. The dignitaries including Chief Executive Officers and policy-makers lighted up the night. They were all   dressed in national and international attires.

    They all came for one purpose-  to witness the inauguration of new co-chairs for  NIBUCAA.

    Dr Pascal Dozie, a co-chair in his opening address recalled how former president Chief Olusegun Obasanjo gave,the private  sector a challenge15years ago to tackle HIV/AIDS which was ravaging the  entire workforce in East Africa.

    He said: “So we in NIBUCAA are the voice of the Nigerian private sector’s response to HIV and AIDS on the premise that businesses have collective leadership role to play in the wide multi-sectoral response to the pandemic and other related ailments.”His speech receivedinstant applause from the audience.

    Dozie  went further to  give  details: “I and some people were invited for a breakfast by the president in Abuja. On getting there from Lagos, we sat and when the then President, Chief Obasanjo walked in he said that was the food, all of us should start eating. That alone confused us more on what we were there for.  We were all apprehensive. After the breakfast, he asked me to come and sit on his right and another on the left and he then announced himself as the Chair of the coalition, which later was named NiBUCAA, and the other two of us as co-chairs. This is because when the news of HIV/AIDS, ravaging the Eastern part of Africa broke about 14 years ago, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was gripped with fear and sleepless nights. But as a retired military officer, he quickly overcame his emotions and firmly resolved to do something about the situation. That explained why he summoned some of us the Chief Executive Officers (CEO) in the private sector to a breakfast meeting on the 15th of February, 2003 and gave us a marching order to take up the fight against HIV/AIDS. That singular action has blossomed and is giving hope to many families and businesses. The deliberation that day led to the formation of NiBUCAA.”

    As the event unfolded that evening, Dr Dozie said the former president regretted not being present at the inauguration due to national assignment, “since I and the co-chair took over the task 14 years ago, our commitment was to support businesses to implement HIV/AIDS workplace programmes and to position members individually as well as collectively to contribute to the national response on HIV pandemic “NiBUCAA has 35 member companies with 29 active. It led the engagement of the Nigerian Business Community in the national health matters thereby enabling it to play a critical role towards the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

    Giving the success stories and achievements of NiBUCAA, acting Executive Secretary, Gbenga A Alabi identified Public-Private Partnership Project with Private Investors in Africa/German Technical Cooperation (PIA/GTZ) to implement Workplace Project in nine Companies between October 2007 to September 2010, USAID/ENHANSE Project to support institutionalisation of HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme and Policies in six SMEs in Kaduna and Lagos States, Sub-recipient to NACA on the Global Fund HIV/AIDS Round Five for two years- between years 2007 and 2009), Direct funding (cashless support) to conduct KABP studies in SMEs in Kaduna and Lagos states 2007 by Partners Against AIDS (PAA) Support, Wellness/Positive Living training Course  held in 2006/2007 and Greater involvement of People Living with AIDS (GIPA) orientation training (2006), Global Fund Partners Against AIDS (PAA) support made the tenure of the co-chairs exciting.

    Alabi said the challenges confronting the coalition include dwindling donor support, untimely/non payment of membership subscription fees, non partnership with NiBUCAA by some member companies, no sense of ownership of NiBUCAA by members, and poor documentation /record of NiBUCAA activities in some member organisations among other reasons.

    He appealed that for NiBUCAA to be more vibrant, there is an urgent need to buy in and support by CEOs of member companies, re-awaken members’ commitment and passion for the Coalition, need to hold regular Roundtable Meetings, add value to members CSR activities, build alliance and cooperation with relevant organisations and mobilise resource for addressing gaps in national response on HIV/AIDS.

    MD/Country Manager of CFAO Nigeria Thomas Pelletier and MD of APM terminals Apapa Limited, Martin Jacob were part of the guests that graced the occassion.

    In his acceptance speech after the induction, the co-Chair of NiBUCAA, Dr. Herbert Wigwe said: “The starting point for us is to reduce the rate of infection, and move on to provide treatment and make people understand basic things that can help prevent the pandemic. It’s all about education, but we cannot achieve this goal ourselves; we need collaboration from cooperate organisation. It is important for all of us to know that the fight against HIV and AIDS is not an option, it’s necessary for each and every one of us to fight it and I will explain why, in the continent we have about four million cases of HIV and 70 percent exist in Sub-Sahara Africa. Every year, we lose about a million precious children and adult to HIV, it could be anybody.”

    On his part, another co-Chair,  Mr. Nicolas Terraz said: “We are going to ensure re-awakening of members’ commitment and passion for the coalition, regular roundtable meetings, adding value to members CSR activities, resource mobilisation for addressing gaps in national response on HIV & AIDS.”

  • 27,500 sanitation officers coming

    27,500 sanitation officers coming

    As part of its solid waste management reforms, tagged Cleaner Lagos Initiative, the Lagos State Government is to engage 27,500 community sanitation officers.

    Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, who spoke with reporters at Alausa, Ikeja, said the officers would be posted to their communities, adding that they would be equipped to sweep the inner streets and take care of  their communities.

    He said: “This initiative will further guarantee the vision of the Lagos Sate Government’s commitment to the realisation of a sustainable and habitable environment.”

    Adejare said the year promised to be very eventful as it marked the beginning of the Cleaner Lagos Initiative, designed to take solid waste management to a higher level. He said  the government planned to create an environmental sanitation corps to enhance the enforcement of laws.

    “As we await the new horizon in solid waste management which is characterised by the infusion of technology, resources and technical know-how as well as creation of jobs for multitude of the unemployed, we remain undaunted in ensuring massive evacuation of wastes, cleaning and clearing of drainages/canals, beautification of the environment and enforcement of pollution control measures,” Adejare said.

    Stressing that an average of 80 people enter Lagos hourly, he blamed the influx for the volume of refuse being generated. He said  the government was poised to intensify advocacy and enlightenment among the people, especially to sensitise waste generators on the value of solid waste and the need for sorting.

    “We need to let our people know that refuse now has commercial value; refuse can be bailed and exported like every other commodity and can also be used to generate power,” he said.

    Adejare gave a breakdown of wastes generated by his ministry in January. “Within January, a total of 33, 338 metric tonnes of waste was evacuated from highways and other public places in Lagos, while a total of 135,406.00 metric tonnes of refuse were deposited in various dumpsites across the state.

    “To control environmental nuisances/ infractions noticed across the state, a total of 122 nuisance abatement notices in 194 locations across the 20 local governments areas, while continued advocacy and enlightenment was sustained to reorientate people towards positive environmental behaviour,” he explained.

    He restated the government’s commitment to ensuring the smooth delivery of potable water supply to Lagos metropolis and its environs.

    “The government has commenced the process of the award of contract for the construction of Adiyan Water Treatment Plant Phase II with 70 million gallons/ day (MGD) capacity which is to benefit a population of about three million people. Similarly, the state government has given approval for development of 100 mgd Odomola II Water Treatment and Distribution Network Project to commence on Public Private Partnership mode,” he said.

    The ministry, he said, also progressed with its landscaping and beautification projects propagating 5,458 local and Indian plants at Lagos State Parks Agency (LASPARK) nurseries in Oko-Oba, Agege and Erikorodo-Ikorodu.

  • Court adjourns trial of MCSN, officers

    Court adjourns trial of MCSN, officers

    A Federal High Court Judge sitting in Lagos, Mrs. Olateregun-Ishola, has adjourned the trials of Musical Copyright Society of Nigeria (MCSN), its CEO, Mr. Mayo Ayilaran and six other officers of the society, accused of operating an illegal copyright collecting society, to March 28 and 29, 2017.

    The trials which are in three separate cases, earlier slated for Monday, January 30, 2017 were rescheduled due to the absence of an MCSN staff, Miss Gladys Njoku, in court.

    The prison authorities failed to bring Njoku to court, who, along two others; Mr. Halim Mohammed and Mr. Olukayode Ajayi, have remained in remand due to their inability to perfect their bail conditions since October 26, 2016 when they were granted bail by the court.

    Other officers of the society who were in court include, MCSN’s CEO, Mr. Mayo Ayilaran, his deputy, Mr. Louis Bassey Udoh and two other officers of the organisation, Miss Omolari Banjo and Mr. Yusuf Benson.

    When the case was called on Monday, January 30, Defence counsel Mr. Wale Adesokan SAN sought to move an application for an order directing the Nigerian Copyright Commission to release the equipment, files, documents and all materials seized from the MCSN office during an NCC raid in 2012, in accordance with the earlier judgment of Justice Mohammed Yunusa delivered on March 18, 2013.

    According to Mr. Adesokan, the materials were required for the defense of the defendants. But the prosecution team objected, saying that the judgement of Justice Mohammed Yunusa had been completely set aside by the Court of Appeal in its unanimous judgment of October 19, 2016.

    Adesokan who reportedly expressed ignorance of the Court of Appeal judgment withdrew his application when handed a copy of the judgment.

    The Nigerian Copyright Commission had in FHC/IKJ/CR/18/2012, FHC/IKJ/CR/19/2012 and FHC/IKJ/CR/20/2012 brought three different cases against Musical Copyright Society Nigeria (MCSN) and seven of its accused officers for performing the duties of a collecting society without the approval of the Commission.

  • Reps query police over officers’ deaths, missing ammunition

    Reps query police over officers’ deaths, missing ammunition

    The House of Representatives Committee on Public Accounts has expressed dissatisfaction over the non-reportage/ late reportage of deaths of police officers by the police hierarchy.

    The committee, led by Kingsley Chinda, at an investigative hearing, frowned at the non- reportage of arms and ammunitions carted away from police personnel during attacks reportedly caused by religious bigots, bandits, hoodlums and militants.

    The lawmakers were not pleased that the police echelon reported the deaths and missing arms late, thereby delaying the required actions.

    The committee’s hearing followed the report of Auditor General of the Federation (AGF) for the year ended December 31, 2013, which chronicled the police infractions.

    Considering the reports, the committee members discovered that after the police officers were killed, various arms and ammunitions were stolen by the bandits.

    Failure to promptly report the loss of the arms to the appropriate authorities for immediate action was an act of negligence by the police, the committee members said.

    The lawmakers noted that interest shown in the matter in 2013 by the AGF prompted the police to generate reports on some of the occurrences that took place between 2009 and 2012.

    No fewer than 128 police officers lost their lives to activities of criminals in various parts of the country in the last three months as at November 2016, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, said.

    Assistant Inspector General, Accounts and Budgets Abdul Salami Iyaji, who represented the IGP to defend the allegations in the report, blamed the delay by the police on technical problems.

    “It occurs sometimes that equipment meant to transmit signals could fail us,” he told the lawmakers.

    According to him, an occurrence in 2009 was truly not reported promptly by the police until 2013.

    On the loss of ammunition, he said officers found to be negligent in the handling of arms were usually sanctioned.

    The committee chairman, in his ruling fixed February7, 2017 for continuation of hearings.

  • Abuja hosts Prison officers

    The Controller- General (CG), Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) Ja’afaru Ahmed said all necessary measures have been put in place to avert future jailbreak.

    Ahmed disclosed this at a two-day seminar for command officers organised by the NPS in collaboration with Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC).

    He said more staff are needed to further enhance productivity within the prison formation.

    The prison boss warned officers and men of the service to be disciplined and be diligent in their work or be punished according to the law.

    He also warned command officers of the Service to build a cordial relationship with the media if they must succeed in their assignments.

    He said, “We work under very challenging conditions but I am happy that the environment has started changing through the efforts of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and I hope it continues but for us to archive  more we [need more] staff, we do not have enough staff.

    “What we did as an interim measure to curb incessant jailbreaks was to collapse the shifts from three to two and that has helped.

    “Under my leadership we take discipline very important and while we ensure that the staff welfare is ensured we also do not tolerate indolence and anybody that is involved in that will be dealt with according to the law. That has helped officers to reposition and redouble efforts.

    “I am assuring you that with the measures we have put in place there will be no jailbreak.

    “Beyond working hard to meet the high demands of our core mandate which is primarily providing safe and humane custody, as well as behavioral change among offenders committed to our care, we also have a duty to actively engage the media as critical stakeholders in the discharge of our statutory responsibilities.”

    Ahmed, who stressed that the intricacies of managing narratives reaching the public were issues not to be handled loosely, expressed optimism that the officers would have improved their skills in managing media issues at the end of the seminar.

    A retired Major General of the Nigerian Army and former Director of Defence Information, Chris Olukolade at the event said the military has assist NPS in terms of security.

    Olukolade said: “The military is helping NPS by inter-service cooperation where necessary. All along we have always had meetings at the level of forum of security agencies. Further to that there are occasional meetings where we exchange notes.”

    The Executive Secretary of CCC, Air Commodore Yusuf Anas (rtd) said it was pertinent to continue building the capacity of command officers to be able to effectively engage the media.

    His words: “This is important because every officer in the state command must understand the need to at all times, utilise the instrumentality of the media to up-build and uphold the good image of the service…”

     

  • FRSC decorates 29 promoted officers

    FRSC decorates 29 promoted officers

    Twenty-Nine senior officers of RS.2 of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) who were recently promoted were decorated with their new ranks at the Corps Headquarters in Lagos.

    The officers included the Lagos Sector Command’s Head of Operation, Michael Olapade, who was promoted from the rank of Deputy Corps Commander (DCC) to Corps Commander (CC); the multiple award winners’ Unit Commander who is in charge of Mowe Unit Command, Oludare Ogunjobi was decorated with the rank of DCC.

    Ogunjobi had won several awards which include 2012 Best Commanding Officer and best command’s physical and non-physical project; 2013 Best Unit Commander and best command’s physical and non-physical project; Best Unit Commander in 2014 and 2015.

    Others that were decorated from ACC to DCC were Ota Unit Commander, Leye Adegboyega; Olawale Odekunle, Sodiq Abdulrahaman; Laisi Olanrewaju Ogundele; Adeniyi Akinola; Bridget Asekhauno; Edoja Kenedy Akpososo; Etuali Oko; Abimbola Owolabi; Abdulyekini Lawal and Olusesan Taiwo Eko.

    Others who were decorated to the rank of ACC included Bashiru Adeyemi; Fekoya E.E.; Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Obi; Michael Adesuyi; Lucas Oguntade; Hussain Suleiman; Olagunju Yusuf; Angbashim Hosea Luka; Lawrence Basuyi Ajibola and Ndifon Mary Akinbayo.

    Members of their families and friends came from across the country to rejoice with the officers.

    The RS.2 Zonal Commander Shehu Alkali Zaki, congratulated the officers and advised them to be prepared for onerous assignments ahead of them.

    He said their decoration was part of the Corps instituted staff’s welfare scheme, adding that it came after the officers might have passed necessary requirements for the promotion, including the examination processes.

    He told the officers to see their promotions as call to higher responsibilities and more dedication to duty.

    He said: “Promotion does not come from heaven; it’s the reward for hard work.  Those that have been promoted and decorated to the senior ranks should bear in mind that the reward is more work as to whom much is given much is expected.”

    He warned them not to engage in acts that could undermine the image of the Corps, even as he enjoined them to remain good ambassadors of the organisation by demonstrating commitment in all that they do.

    He appealed to them to be exemplary in their conducts and prove to others that they really deserved the elevation.

    He stressed the importance of discipline in the Corps, saying management will not hesitate to mete out disciplinary action on any member of staff that violates the Corps’ disciplinary codes.

    The FRSC boss enjoined them to engage in physical fitness exercise and promote healthy living for optimal performance in their various assignments.

    Responding on behalf of those promoted, Corps Commander Olapade thanked the FRSC’s management for the promotion, saying it signifies motivation for them to continue to contribute their best to the development of the Corps.

  • Prison boss: Officers working under challenging circumstances

    The Controller-General, (CG) of the Nigerian Prisons Service, (NPS), Ja’afaru Ahmed, has said officers work under challenging circumstances.

    Ahmed said managing over 69 thousand inmates in  such circumstances was demanding.

    Inadequate office equipment and other necessary logistics, Ahmed said, were major challenges.

    He spoke in Abuja at a two-day workshop for the NPS Command Public Relations Officers in collaboration with Centre for Crisis Communication (CCC), with the theme: “Engaging the media in managing offenders in prison custody.”

    He said: “As it’s typical of prisons everywhere in the world, those in incarceration usually exhibit a common trait which is devising means to secure freedom either using the approved means or through unacceptable process like escape. Employing the latter has often been a source of friction between authorities and the captive population. Therefore, as a prisons officer, beyond understanding the dynamics of providing custodial services for prisoners, it is also important to appreciate communication process with the public using the media in order to guide against skewed and negative narratives. We need to know how to properly manage the over 69 thousand prisoners under our care.

    “The mandate of the Nigerian Prisons Service, as you all know, is to secure safe and humane custody of persons legally interned by courts of competent jurisdiction, establish causes of their rebellious behaviour, put up appropriate treatment regimes to re-socialise them, manage various vocational training centres including farms towards economic viability and support prisoner’s re-integration back into the society through After-Care Scheme.

    “Recent developments have made it more imperative for you as field officers to sharpen your skills to ensure that you carry out this onerous task with utmost professionalism balancing respect to stakeholders and the protection of the Service’s integrity. Developmental strides that have been recorded in the areas of inmates training.”

  • Police chief’s wife decries killing of officers 

    The wife of the Rivers State police commissioner, Mrs Juliet Odesanya, has decried increasing number of widows among wives of policemen serving in the state.

    She attributed the development to the incessant killing of officers and men.

    Mrs Odesanya spoke at the weekend at an event organised by the state’s branch of Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA) to celebrate Christmas and New Year for wives and children of slain officers of the command.

    She condemned the killing of policemen and called for caution.

    Mrs Odesanya noted that the development had continued to increase the number of widows and children without fathers.

    The police chief’s wife urged the public, groups and organisations to partner POWA to help the affected families.

    She said POWA had concluded plans to put police officers’ wives on skills acquisition programmes to enable them become self-reliant.

    POWA distributed foodstuffs and other items to the widows and their children.

    Mrs Odesanya said: “This donation is line with the vision of our association and that of the wife of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and, above all, for the love we have for ourselves.

    “For our widows, we can’t brush them aside. We need to continually stay with them financially and otherwise.

    “In this command, a huge number are widowed on daily and weekly bases. I don’t need to share the statistics. It is not a wonderful thing to say. Unfortunately, it is the situation we find ourselves.

    “We have identified major issues plaguing the members of our association, especially women and children. We have mapped out many programmes to support widows and women of this organisation. We want to provide skills acquisition programmes to empower our women.

    “We are calling on well-meaning agencies and individuals to partner with us in this project because we need to begin this programme at our skills centre. We will buy computers and other equipment for those who are literate.”

    “We want that in 2017 that our women become self sufficient and stop depending our meagre resources of our husbands.”

  • Buratai extols officers, troops for ‘paying supreme price’

    Buratai extols officers, troops for ‘paying supreme price’

    •Dickson, Wike seek prompt payment of legionnaires, servicemen 

    Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Tukur Burutai has extolled officers and men, who paid the supreme price in the service of the nation.

    Burutai gave the commendation yesterday at the Armed Forces Remembrance Day at the Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Church in Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri.

    The COAS, who was represented by  the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj.-Gen. Lucky Irabor, said this year’s Remembrance Day was a “Year of Liberty and Emergence of Peace”.

    He said: “Let me on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff and, of course by extension, the Chief of Defence Staff, thank all officers and troops for all the sacrifices you have been making.

    “As we use this year to remember our fallen heroes, I also enjoined you all to seek the part of righteousness.

    “Righteousness is what we should always expect from us as a nation. In the end, peace will elude those who do not seek righteousness.

    “It is not for men to sing your praise and pray for you when you’re dead. It is what we do here when we are alive that really matters.”

    Irabor added: ”The COAS want me to assure you that all the sacrifices that you are making and that of our fallen heroes are not in vain.

    “The COAS also ask me to appreciate every one of you for all the good works you have been doing in Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Yes, you have taken an oath of allegiance and you have shown your commitment in everything you have been doing.

    “We are ending the operation very soon. We’re going closer to the end. Where we are going to is closer to where we have come from.

    “This year is a year of liberty. Peace has come and so shall it be.”

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson and Rivers State Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike yesterday called on relevant government agencies responsible for the payment of emoluments and entitlements of serving, retired and dead officers of the armed forces to live up to their responsibilities.

    Speaking through his deputy, Gboribiogha John Jonah, at an interdenominational church service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa as part of the weeklong activities marking the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Dickson noted with dismay the harrowing experiences the war veterans were passing through after their meritorious service to their fatherland.

    He said they deserved a better  treatment bearing in mind their contributions to unity, stability and defence of the nation’s territorial integrity.

    According to him, a situation where some families had to wait up to three or more years before getting the entitlements due to their deceased benefactors was quite appalling and discouraging.

    On his part, Wike suggested a more comprehensive reward package for servicemen and legionnaires to encourage them to always make sacrifices for the country.

    Speaking during an Inter-Denominational Church Service to mark the Remembrance Day Celebration at the First Baptist Church, Aggrey Road in Port Harcourt, the governor said the annual ritual for servicemen and legionnaires was not enough motivation.

    He said: “It is important that the Federal Government takes a second look to keep families of servicemen and ex-servicemen going.

    “I urge that steps be taken to make sure that the families left behind by the ex-servicemen are not allowed to suffer.”

    He hailed security personnel for promoting peace across the country.

    President of First Baptist Church, Rivers State Conference Rev Benjamin Avor called on Nigerians to live their lives in ways that would promote peace.