Lagos Red Cross learn to swim

Following the prevailing waterways accidents in Lagos State and other parts of Nigeria occasioned by the flooding of the major cities, the Nigeria Red Cross Society, (NRCS) Lagos State branch has decided to train her officials on how to swim.

 The three days training was concluded last week with the officials equipped with various skills on how to rescue people involved in accidents on waterways and flooding.

Fifty-members and officials of NRCS members gathered at the Muhammed Abubakar Swimming pool located inside the Police Training College, Ikeja Lagos received the training under the supervision of Instructor Sunday Adeneye, the Lagos State Red Cross Disaster and Relief Adviser.

Speaking at the end of the training, the Instructor said the course  is  designed  for  the  fearful/novice  participant  in  order  to orientate  oneself  to  the  aquatic  environment and to help one gain basic aquatic skills.

 “It’s for us to update ourselves with waterways. We have been doing well on the land but we have not done anything regarding rescuing people from flood and waterways accidents, so the introduction to Water Skills lessons can help us overcome the fear of the water and to learn the basic skills to achieve a minimum level of water competency,” he added.

“We contracted a certified Water Safety Instructor and a swimming coach for the participants and he will work on the foundations of swimming such as floating, gliding and gaining comfort in the water.”

According to Adeneye, the participant officers paid for their training in order to have basic skills necessary to rescue people, vehicles, boats, cars and canoes that were involved in accidents on waterways. He further explained that its part of the officers sacrifice and contribution to the society at large in making waterways accident-free, safe and habitable.

According to him, funding is the major problem of the Society as there were no support from corporate, private of government for the training and called on the spirited individuals, governments at all levels, corporate bodies for their support adding that the scheme will go a long way in helping the society in times of disaster.

Fear grips NDLEA staff over postings…may move headquarters to Abuja

By

Emeka Ibemere

If available information reaching DailyCrimeReporters.com is anything to go by, then majority of the staffs of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency at the No 4 Shaw Road Ikoyi, Lagos State, the present headquarters of the agency may move to Abuja, the federal Capital Territory, FCT,.

 The officers also are in a frenzy and fearful mood over an impending nation-wide posting being compiled by the Administration department of the agency. According to available information, The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah rtd, is planning relocating the headquarters of the agency for easy administration and close to the seat of power just like every other government Parastatals.

 It was gathered at the weekend that the nine months old leadership of the agency has concluded plans to carry out all embracing re-deployment of officers before the end of the week, along with the movement to Abuja.

According to our source, the action was a routine system of the agency but in the last 10 years, the former Chairman, Mallam Ahmadu Giade refused utterly to carry out the operation for the best reason known to him. The few postings he did our source also disclosed was to punish some staffs that disagreed with his system of leadership.

Our impeccable source in Abuja also claimed that some of the staffs have stayed 13 to 15 years in one post for long and few postings carried out by Giade favoured his friend-officers in the agency, while those in his ‘bad book’, were redeployed to areas said not to be juicy.

The Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Col. Muhammad Mustapha Abdallah rtd was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari. He took over from Ahmadu Giade who completed his two-term tenure of 10 years in office on November 24, 2015.

This current posting would be the new chairman’s first serious assignment since coming into power. Meanwhile mixed feelings are trailing the purported posting of officers across more than 37 commands and special commands of the agency. Some of the officers were said to be happy while others are afraid of the impending postings. Under the crippling financial position of the agency, gloom and frustration has become the second nature of NDLEA officers. Greater majority of officers have not known promotion for an upward of 13 years.

Giade was said to have allegedly awarded double promotions to his cronies. These ugly injustices in the agency are what the officers said they want the new chairman to reverse. Attempt to reach Mitchell Ofoyeju to comment on this proved abortive.

Meanwhile another source claimed that movement to Abuja is subject to accommodation and that the agency has not gotten a place yet whiles the redeployment and postings are all subject of rumours and that it has not been made official. But our investigation shows that there are strong indications of the new changes coming up in the agency, soon.

PROF. DIKE HOSTS ORLUZURUMEE NEC MEMBERS

Prof. Francis Dike (SAN) has enjoined the newly elected National Executive Committee (NEC) of Orluzurumee  to work circumspectly to restore the socio-cultural union to its pride of place, achieve tangible milestones and realize its goals for the interest of the preponderant majority of Orlu people and not to pander to parochial and selfish interests. Dike, who is the new BoT Chairman of Orluzurumee gave this charge to members of the NEC of the apex socio-cultural union of Orlu zone when he played host to them at his Owerri residence last weekend.

This was on the occasion of a courtesy call on the erudite professor of law who emerged BoT Chairman of Orluzurumee in a unanimously choice among 12 prominent nominees in the last election of the organization which also witnessed the maiden meeting of the new executive, where they reviewed issues of importance, set new goals and made commitment to take the union to greater heights.

Among issues that were deliberated on and resolution reached are constituting the college of patrons, inauguration of the Board of Trustees and standing committees, conducting elections in the 12 local government branches and the remaining organs of Orluzurumee, viz. the youth wing and the women wing.

In his opening remarks, Chief Emeka Diwe, the re-elected President of the union recalled events before and after the elections and advised members of his executive to work assidiously to make the desired impact expected of the apex socio-cultural union. He promised to leave the organization better than he found it.

In his words, “We will take Orluzurumee to the next levels, make it stronger and compellingly attractive by restoring its glory; make it an association that will take greater initiatives that will be beneficial to all Orlu people and a vehicle of economic, social and cultural enhancement for the best interest a preponderant majority of the people of Orlu Zone.”

 He eulogized the excellent personal qualities of the new BoT Chairman saying, the overwhelming support his nomination received above those of other top sons of Orlu Zone is an eloquent testimony of his (Prof. Dike’s) impeccable pedigree. Diwe describe him as a round peg in a round hole and noted that his emergence as BoT Chairman marks a new beginning in the history of the organization, a breath of fresh air.

 In his response, Prof Dike expressed gratitude for electing him BoT Chairman saying, he will do all in his power to see that Orluzurumee is repositioned to seek the greater good of Orlu people. Waxing philosophical, he said, “You can’t lift yourself by your shoe lace. I am your son, whatever I am is by you and for you. We owe a duty to develop Orlu, make it different and set the pace for others to follow.

“I want to tell you that you have promises to keep and you have milestones to reach. No matter what you are, you must submit yourself for selfless service to this noble organization. And when you are called to serve, you should be ready to serve in any capacity.”

Prof. Dike further said his earnest expectation is a stronger Orluzurumee and a greater and more united Orlu. He counseled the new national exco to have great plan for the zone and prayed that they receive strength from God to achieve their goals for the benefit of Orlu people and Imo State in general.