At least, 50 senior officers of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have been decorated with their new ranks in Ebonyi State. These were part of the over 9,937 senior officers newly promoted by the Corps nationwide.
Performing the annual ritual at the Command headquarters in Abakaliki last Thursday, the State Commandant Dr Elijah Etim Willie said he wished every eligible Officers were promoted. Describing himself as progressive, Commandant Willie said he was happy when people are progressing in their careers, “but not everyone can be promoted at the same time”. He tasked the newly promoted officers to justify their elevation with added zest and vigour in the discharge of their duties.
He further commended the Minister of Interior, Tunji Ojo, whom he described as the best minister of the year for facilitating improvement in the welfare of paramilitary agencies under his ministry.
In the same vein Commandant Willie appreciated the Commandant- General Ahmed Abubakar Audi for his leadership qualities that has engendered unprecedented promotions in the Corps lately stating that Civil Defence never had it so good as is presently obtained.
Other service commanders from the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency and Department of State Service were on hand to show solidarity.
The State Commissioner of Police, Antonia Uche_Anya, represented by Deputy Commissioner (Admin) Alhaji Mohammed tasked the wives of the newly promoted officers to ensure peace at home fronts that would have direct bearing on the officers’ discharge of their duties to the society. He tasked other officers not favoured by the promotion to continue to support and pray for the favoured ones as their turn would soon come.
The sector Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps, Henry Igwe congratulated the promoted officers, charging them to avail themselves of the opportunity to break higher grounds. “We all know how it happens. We know it’s not all those that are eligible that may have been promoted. We know your promotion is not a function of intelligence or diligence but by sheer grace of God” He challenged them to do well to prove their mettle. “Beyond the euphoria of the moment is actually call for duty” he enthused
Others who spoke including Chief Austin Igwe Edeze toed the same path. Chief Edeze who was a former governorship aspirant, former State PDP chairman, former Board chairman, Federal College of Education Ado Ekiti tasked the newly promoted officers to aim beyond the sky in their quest for greater heights of endeavour.
Up to 9 officers were decorated with rank of deputy Commandant, 3 were assistant Commandants, 1 raised to chief superintendent even as 10 got promoted to superintendent levels among other senior ranks.