The Guild of Civil Societies and Media Executives for Equity, Justice, and Transparency in Nigeria (GOCMEJ) has highly commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the re-appointment of Prof. Ahmed Abubakar Audi as the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for a second term of five years.
In a statement released from Mombasa, Kenya, the Guild described the President’s decision as that of a round peg in a round hole, affirming it as a testament to Prof. Audi’s transformative leadership and the remarkable success trajectory recorded during his first tenure.
The President of GOCMEJ, Omoba Kenneth Agbegbele, hailed the re-appointment as a “nationalist, decisive, and visionary action” that reaffirms the administration’s unwavering commitment to excellence, capacity, and continuity.
“Your avowed confidence in Prof. Audi is not only a recognition of his hard work and dedication but a bold statement that merit, proven results, and loyalty remain the bulwark of your administration’s cardinal principles,” the statement read.
According to the Guild, the CG’s first tenure witnessed an unprecedented repositioning of the Service, changing its narrative through a series of landmark achievements.
These include:
· Institutional Development: Establishment of the Civil Defence Academy in Jos, Plateau State; the NSCDC Arms Squad Training School in Ugede Development Area, Nasarawa State; and the creation of the NSCDC Female Squad to tackle kidnapping and other security challenges in schools nationwide.
· Sector-Specific Interventions: Creation of the NSCDC Special Mining Marshals to combat illegal mining, which has drastically reduced the pillage of natural resources.
· Operational Capacity & Welfare: Massive acquisition of arms and accoutrements; procurement of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) and over 250 operational vehicles; purchase of mini-fire-fighting tankers for disaster management; robust staff welfare packages, including mass promotions and the provision of staff buses; and the construction of official and residential buildings.
· Infrastructure Protection: Destruction of over 450 illegal refineries in the Niger Delta; arrest and prosecution of vandals with record conviction rates; and the recovery of stolen railway materials valued at over ₦5 billion.
· Strategic Initiatives: Pioneering the ‘Safe Schools Initiative’ for the protection of vulnerable schools across the country; and the creation of the CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, which has made significant impacts in the war against illegal bunkering, kidnapping, and banditry.
The statement further highlighted Prof. Audi’s role in fostering inter-agency collaboration and enhancing public trust. It also praised the effective supervision of Private Guard Companies and the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to amicably settle conflicts between herders and farmers, as well as other community disputes, contributing to national peace-building.
“Transparency and professionalism have remained at the forefront of Prof. Audi’s transformational philosophy,” the statement noted. “His introduction of far-reaching institutional reforms, including the yearly and quarterly Commandant General’s Conferences, has kept the Corps abreast of global best practices and aligned its operations with the mandate of President Tinubu’s administration.”
GOCMEJ reiterated that the efforts of the NSCDC under Prof. Audi are in line with the President’s vision to diversify the economy and protect critical national assets, including those in the mining, oil and gas, and agricultural sectors.
“The Guild looks forward to a second tenure marked by unprecedented milestones, improved policy direction, and sustained public trust,” Omoba Agbegbele added.
“We call on all Nigerians to join hands with this pragmatic and transformative leader as he drives the NSCDC to even greater heights in national development, security, and safety.”