The New Lagos State Commander, Senior Comrade Taiwo Ogunjimi
The
New Lagos State Commander, Senior Comrade Taiwo Ogunjimi has stated
that WAI Brigade contributes to the fight against terrorism through
community policing and intelligence gathering. He disclosed this during
an interview conducted at the one day induction course organized by the
WAI Brigade in Lagos, recently.
According
to him, “WAI Brigade is a voluntary organization and we believe in
discipline, committed to ensuring discipline while curbing crime in the
society. To this end, we contribute our little efforts to stop terrorism
in Nigeria. We help in the in the fight against terrorism through
community policing and intelligence gathering. It is a community based
organization, as such, such responsibilities are easy. We are make moves
too, in as much as the police and others armed forces are doing their
jobs too. We are always on alert, always keeping watch of any insecurity
especially at the grassroot, and such acts are reported to the
appropriate authorities. We have means of reaching out to the police as
quick as possible. Our goal is to ensure that the society is safe for
every Nigeria to live in, without fear.”
Speaking
on President Buhari’s recent recognition of the Brigade, he noted that
WAI Brigade was founded by the Buhari/Idiagbon military regime in the
early 1980s, and has since been been recognized. However, he pointed out
that the recent publicity in the media about the WAI Brigade
recognition, was born out of the repackaged structure the administration
underwent in the Brigade to ensure it soothes the democratic regime and
conform with what the government wants to achieve. “We appreciate the
repackaged structure in the WAI Brigade, as we look forward to seeing
more impacts from the government”.
Expressing
himself at his induction ceremony, he reiterates “I was made the Lagos
State Commander in January, but today is the hand-over proper, and I’m
glad to have attained that position. I was the assistant to the
out-going Lagos State Commander, who has now been made the Assistant
National Commander, South-West Zone, Senior Comrade Adeoye. I have a
good knowledge of what the Brigade expects from us, what he did during
his tenure and where I could continue from. I hope that before the end
of my tenure I would have achieved much more than my predecessors
achieved. I will ensure the Brigade is standardized and that continues
to government recognizes our worth. The former state commander spent
14years on seat, while my immediate predecessor spent 8years on seat. I
would know how many year I would stay, but I hope that before the end of
my tenure a remarkable difference will be noticed because living up to
expectation is my watch word.”
“WAI
Brigade came into being as a result of the lawlessness in the state in
order to ensure discipline. I love the organization because of its
concept of discipline and this was what compelled me to join after I
finished my NYSC then. I also love to render voluntary services because I
derive joy and fulfillment from doing that. Every member of the WAI
Brigade is compelled to have a job before joining the Brigade since it’s
a voluntary organization.
“WAI
Brigade ensures discipline without arresting the erring citizens nor
using guns. Discipline is carried gently with intelligence. We believe
there various ways of killing a rat. We warn people first before meting
out punishments. I however encourage Nigerians to be disciplined because
Change begins with them.
The
Assistant National Commander, South-West Zone, Senior Comrade Gabriel
Adeoye who also spoke at the event, reiterated, “I was the Lagos State
Commander, and when I was there, we acquired a new office, got two
operational vehincles, organized trainings, acquisition of uniforms,
departmental heads also organized trainings. We did a lot. He was my
assistant then when I was in that position and he knew all what we did. I
expect the new Lagos Commander to do much more. My advice to him is to
ask for advice when and where necessary so he shouldn’t work alone”.
On
his part, the Director, National Orientation Agency x-rayed, “The
present administration is very much keen on ensuring that the state of
insecurity in the country is tackled. What we at NOA do, is that we
engage in enlightenment drives across Nigeria. We try to ensure that we
gather intelligence for immediate action. We get to the grass root and
mobilize people to participate in government policies and pass on
enlightenment talks to the people so that they appreciate what
government is doing. We usually orientate Nigerians through our
stakeholders traditional rulers, units of organizations, religious
leaders, artisans, market men and women,etc. We carry out functions
through fora, town hall meetings, community dialogue services,
interpersonal talks, authorized campaigns, jingles, etc”
“The
present administration has zero tolerance for corruption and
indiscipline. It is no longer business as usual but business unusual.
The position of the leadership will determine the steps of the
followers. We have a president whose integrity cannot be questioned.
This has led to the Federal Government’s ‘Change Begins with Me’
campaign which is spearheaded by National Orientation Agency. It has to
do with the change in Value System- Values of honesty, self-reliance,
hardwork, patriotism, etc. Show off those values and make everybody
change. We want to demonstrate values and be a role model. The value
system was down which led to an accumulated corrupt and indisciplined
ways of doing things. If discipline thrives continuously, Nigeria can
emerge one of the best economies in the world”.
“WAI
Brigade is a baby of NOA. WAI Brigade is the only para-military body
recognised by the Act of Parliament and was ceded with the NOA via
Decree 100 of the 1999 constitution. Fighting corruption and security
consciousness is the job of everybody. It starts from the home. Some of
the things WAI Brigade did in those days are still there, for instance
the cue culture where people have to cue for bus is still being practice
till date. For us to change our attitudes, we need people who are
already orientated, and who can lead a group of people. WAI Brigade
member have been orientated enough to impact it into others. The moment
you see the WAI Brigade with their uniform Green, White Green, you will
know that they are serving Nigeria”.
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