By; John Gabriel
The appointment of Dr. Ahmed Abubakar as the 3rd Commandant General of NIgeria Security and Civil Defence Corps(NSCDC) since the passage of NSCDC act in 2003, did not come as a surprise to many.
Although, findings revealed that his predecessor, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu who spent his first tenure of four years, was due for retirement on Monday January, 18, 2021. Alas! he
was warming up for the second tenure, but his ambition was cut shortly due to age disqualification, as he had only two years to clock 60 years, being retirement age.
Following Daddy Gana’s peaceful retirement, a search for his replacement began, just as nature and destiny was lurking round among senior officers with intellectual capacity, to wear the outgone CG’s shoes.
First, the outgone CG Gana handed over the mantle of leadership to the Commandant-General (DCG) Operation, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Hilary Kelechi Madu being the most senior officer in the corps then.
Although, Kelechi played an active role while acting, but the nature and destiny only smiled on him a little while, just as President Muhammed Buhari shortly announced the appointment of 54 years old Dr.
Ahmed Abubakar Audi, as the substantive NSCDC Commandant General on Thursday, February 18, 2021.
Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi, full of confidence, highly intelligent, enthusiastic coupled with intellectual Masters keys, came with several promises and plans, aimed at rejig, the corps to better the lives of Nigerians.
At least, Nigerians and NSCDC family can be proud of the first PhD holder, with vast experience in security, conflict management, a Masters degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice besides his PhD in Public administration (UNICAL in 2001).
Dr. Ahmed, besides numerous academic and professional courses attended, has also attended local and international training, which gave him, much insight and knowledge to reposition the corps for better service delivery.
Since February 2021, when he assumed office, embarked on reposition the corps for better service delivery, promised a high welfare packages for officers and men of the corps through a robust and well-structured plan to increase personnel morale.
He ensured the promotion of officers and men who have remained on same rank for 3 to 10 years.
Besides, he started processing the payment of the backlog of promotion arrears of personnel to ensure every personnel receive what was due for him .
This benefits was to have been paid by the last administration. He also gave special promotion, awards and commendation letters to officers who distinguished themselves in line of duty within his 100 days in office.
He initiated programs that would benefit the entire personnel of the corps
For the first time since the corps came into being, Dr. Audi through his efforts, gave out cheques of over two-million-naira (N2M) for Group Personal Accident benefits to personnel who sustained various degrees of injuries in the cause of discharging their duties.
This is besides
twenty-million-naira (N20m) worth of cheques being distributed as part of payment for Group Life Insurance which is managed by the Head of service. Paid over 150 families the outstanding burial benefits and entitlements of deceased personnel long forgotten before his appointment as the CG
The CG Audi has consistently, and at any giving opportunity appealed, begged all officers and men, for patience and understanding of personnel on matters affecting them, just as he always restated his determination and willingness to accommodate complaints on issues affecting all staff irrespective of cadre and treat same based on justice, equality and fairness.
Perhaps, this account for why he was soon recognized in December, 202, just eight months as CG, awarded “security Icon of the year, ” by the secretary of award committee, Bridget Agada.
Sir, as you clock one year in office today, I wish you God’s guardance, guidance, protection, long life, good health, and favourable environment to bring all the promises and aspirations to reality.
John Gabriel wrote from Kaduna and could be reached on 08024338638.
