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”.
L-R: The Lagos State
Commander, Senior Comrade Taiwo Ogunjimi; Director, National Orientation
Agency, Comrade Waheed Ishola; and Assistant National Commander South-West
Zone, Senior Comrade Gabriel Adeoye at the WAI Brigade induction course held at
Ikeja recently
“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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