By Stephen Adeleye.
The new Commandant, Kogi Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Ahmad Gandi, has honoured 15 officers and men of the command for their, commitment and dedication to duty.
The commandant gave the award on Friday at the command Headquarters in Lokoja as part of activities to celebrate his 100 days in Kogi.
Gandi said he took time off to celebrate the day in order to mark the successes and challenges that the command has so far recorded saying it was simply stock taking event.
He said it was awesome for him that in short notice, the organisers was able to package such a colourful event to mark his presence in the state.
According to him, the officers and men of the command are wonderful people who approach their duties with diligence, commitment and above all craving for excellence that have repositioned the command for excellence performance.
The commandant said the award to the fifteen deserving officers and men was to spur them to put in their best and become a benchmark for others to strive to attain.
He noted, the command under his watch is working as a system and as such no part of the system can work alone to achieve success.
Gandi added that whatever milestone he would have achieved in a short space of time were attributed to the commitment of all the personnel.
He, therefore urged the Awardees not to rest on their oars as he that much is given more is expected of him.
He pledged to institutionalise the award to be given periodically to officers that have distinguished themselves, while promising to making the overall welfare of personnel his priority.
He promised to ensure thàt the award formed part of their CVs in the Headquarters, stressing that the commandant General is pleased with their contributions to the success of the command.
He advised them to remain faithful to duty and to step up their performances, saying the award could be withdrawn at any time if any officer was found to have compromised his office.
Earlier, the Deputy Commandant , DCC, Stephen Alabi, said that in just 100 days in office of the present commandant, he had recorded milestones in the quest to ensure free crimes and criminality in the state.
The deputy commandant explained that the command was able to arrest illegal miners and their barons who have remained untouchable until his assumption of office.
“Within the period under review the commandant has ensured the refurbishment of broken down vehicles which have assisted officers for smooth operation.
“The hitherto conflict between the Fulani herders and farmers was resolved by the men of the Agro Rangers which has restored mutual relationship between them.
“For optimal performance, officers across departments have been trained and retrained, as result, the legal department were able to secure Eight convictions with offenders spending various terms in correctional centers.
“The commandant has also given facelift to the command believing that a conducive environment has multiplier effects on the output of the personnel, and females armed squad are being trained and retrained,” Alabi said.
He commended the commandant for his people’s oriented leadership that has inspired officers to be in competition for excellence performance, saying the command had benefited immensely from his leadership.
Speaking on behalf of other Awardees, Deputy Commandant Abubakar Hassan Aboki, thanked the Commandant for the award, saying it was the greatest honour he ever received in service.
Aboki, who doubles as the Head of Administration Department, NSCDC Kogi Command, assured the commandant of their commitments to continue to put in their best for optimal performance.
“On behalf of myself and other Awardees, I assure you that we will never disappoint you sir, we promise to continue to make you and the command proud”, he said.
The Comptroller Immigration Kogi State Command Lokoja.TY Musa, who was the Special guest of Honour at the occasion, presented the award to the beneficiaries.
