A Civil Society, Non- Governmental Organisation(NGO), foremost anti-corruption, pro- democracy and pressure group, the Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice and Transparency in Nigeria (GOCMEJ), has applauded the transformation and performance indices engineered by the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Abubakar Ahmed Audi.

The CSO notes the internal processes for optimal performances; high morale of staff; enhanced surveillance on critical assets; prompt payment of allowances; discipline, and the good chain of command structure within the hierarchy of leadership. It also notes the transparency in procurement processes, including the bold initiatives and innovations that have bolstered the NSCDC into a 21st century paramilitary organisation.

The CSO’s Country Representative, President and Senior Research Fellow, Omoba Kenneth Aigbegbele, made the commendation in Lagos recently, when he attended a strategic round-table Town Hall with other leaders in South-west zone, according to a press statement he personally signed.

The statement alluded to the salient milestones and achievements of the present leadership of the NSCDC in the delivery of good corporate governance and professionalism to drive the changes that are glaring.

According to Aigbegbele, never before have those improvements been seen in the history of the Agency despite the enormous challenges confronting it

The statement emphasises that issues such as the reduction of the incessant herders and farmers’ clashes, cattle rustling, the deployment of undercover officers to schools, the reduction of criminal vandals on national assets across the country and the robust inter-agency relationships, cooperation and partnerships with sister agencies such as the Navy, Army, Customs, Immigration, NNPC, etc, most of which have become a thing of the past.

In furtherance of the present efforts, the continued fight against cyber-crimes, child abuse, flushing out of illegal private guard companies, the arrest of smugglers, vandals and pipeline, oil thieves in the Niger Delta region has become a herculean task that must be nipped in the bud. And the present management is working assiduously round the clock to deal decisively with these challenges once and for all.

According to the statement, Dr. Audi has given marching orders to the State Commandants and also read riot acts to them reminding them that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has zero-tolerance for corruption and theft and as such directed the commandants to do all they can in line with the presidential order to rid the nation’s oil sector of economic saboteurs, vandals on critical national assets, oil thieves, and other criminal activities inimical to the growth of the sector and Nigeria at large.

The statement also emphasised the efforts and challenges of the mining marshals and agro- rangers’ initiatives to boost food security in order to make food available and allow farmers to go about their businesses in their respective farmlands with the full support of the rangers.

GOCMEJ, of course, agrees that the mining sector is a vital component of the economy as the mining marshals are doing everything within their power to curb the excesses of illegal miners across the length and breadth of the country which pose a threat to national security.

Accordingly, the Corps has been very formidable in dislodging illegal miners by conducting surveillance 24/7 hours and arresting illegality and hence promoting economic growth and saving the country massive revenue loss.

The creation of the Special Mining Marshals by the Audi-led management is indeed a major boost to the fight against illegal miners in the country and has been applauded by well-meaning Nigerians for their selfless efforts in combating the menace head-on which has reduced their activities thereby increasing the revenue base of the country and as well as, improving investors’ confidence in the mineral sector.

Also, with the establishment of the Special Female Squad (SFS) under the present leadership, targeted at boosting the fight against insecurity and kidnapping in our schools, the location of the Squad in all the Commands across the country has enhanced the safe school response coordination and the protection of schools in remote areas and communities, which is done in collaboration with sister agencies as part of the Safe School Initiative (SSI).

In view of the foregoing, GOCMEJ hereby calls on the Federal Government to adequately fund these initiatives through training and retraining of officers, the building and enhancement of capacity development of the Agro- rangers, Mining Marshals and Special Female Squad, so as to boost their productivity, self-esteem and manpower development for the collective good of all. Therefore, GOCMEJ further advocates for a renewed vigour as it urges the increment of the national budget allocations to the NSCDC, in view of the pivotal role it plays in the protection of critical national assets in addition to reducing kidnapping in schools. If these initiatives are properly funded, it will give the NSCDC the impetus to do more for the nation and its work force.

GOCMEJ reiterates that it is encouraged by the public procurement process, contract approvals and payments, the espirit-de-corps of the NSCDC officers and men, including the promotion of officers never before seen in its annals of history which figures stood at about 21,385 personnel to new ranks, the commissioning of fleets of operational vehicles to enhance patrol and surveillance around critical national assets is also a welcome development.

The Guild again applauds the transformation presently on-going and change narrative including strategic alliances with various ivory towers across the country to upgrade the service institutions to meet with what is attainable globally.

The release will, accordingly, amply captures that henceforth “GOCMEJ will continue to support the corps in its efforts to tackle bandits, herders, vandals, illegal miners and promote a safe and secured environment for all”.

The organisation further adds that “the efforts of the NSCDC in playing critical role in securing the mining sector, school environment from kidnappers and protection of farmlands and agro- allied investments are in line with the vision of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration’s Renew Hope Agenda, which is aimed at diversifying the economy, promoting growth and securing the nation for investors”.

GOCMEJ, therefore, has no hesitation in passing a Vote of Confidence on the Dr. Abubakar Audi- led management and calls on the international community and well-meaning Nigerians to continually support the proactive and change leadership to enable it further its commitment to securing the nation, safeguarding our schools and deliver its mandate to Nigerians.