Nigerians tasked on selfless service, others
TO contain insurgency during the Christmas and New Year celebrations, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, Tuesday announced that the force would retool its officers and men nationwide, with particular attention to flash points.
Abubakar, who disclosed this in Abuja during a meeting with squadron commanders of Police Mobile Force (PMF), said that Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Gombe, Adamawa and Kano states were some of the states to be affected by the review. He stressed: "We are determined to reduce crime and criminality to the barest."
Other issues slated for discussion at the meeting, according to the IGP, included bribery and corruption, training and capacity building, human rights abuses, conduct and discipline of officers and men as well as welfare.
Expressing his resolve to return the PMF to its past glory, Abubakar said: "The PMF is the elite force of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). We want to look at those glorious days and compare and contrast the differences from what it was and what it is now."
He lamented the attitude of some Nigerians who he said would not worry about the lives of officers and men of the force except those who are victims of kidnappings. According to him, "most times, when people are kidnapped, they are rescued. Even along the line, we lose our personnel, but what worries me more is that most Nigerians are only after those who have been kidnapped; they are not after our officers and men that get wounded and die in the course of service."
Meanwhile, Nigerians have been called upon to rededicate themselves to the course of making the country great to achieve the dream of the founding fathers. The Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of UAC of Nigeria Plc, Larry Ettah, made this charge in his 2012 Christmas message to the company's over 3,000 employees.
"Our stake at greatness can be assured only when each and every one of us gives his or her best to the success of the country," he said, adding that Nigerians must be seen as a set of people who never give up until they have given their all.
"As we celebrate the Christmas and also prepare for the New Year, we should be able to spare a thought about our dear country and be reminded of our responsibilities and the challenges that stare us in the face. We need to know that the sum of our greatness is as good as our own individual contributions.
"We must always remember that we do not allow our contributions or actions to stand us out as the proverbial weakest link. Achieving greatness requires passionate commitment."
He urged Nigerians to reflect on the reason for the season, as Christmas elevates and inspires, especially to all those who share in its grand essence and ennobling sentiments about Christ. He added: "Christmas' enduring message has become universally appreciated because both the messenger and the message have maintained a wholesomeness and consistency that are spiritually uplifting, sacred and perhaps, therapeutic.
"As we plan to celebrate the Yuletide despite the deluge of disheartening social statistics that abound in our nation, let us remind ourselves that the sentiments of hope, upliftment and sacrifice will become not only a partner but our constant companion as we approach the grace-filled days ahead."
He maintained that UACN has continued to deepen its Corporate Social Responsibility commitments through its Goodness League programme and its School Support Scheme intervention projects have been well received in the various geo-political zones of the country.
He explained that the company's performance during the year has demonstrated its resolve to stay true to plans and targets, deploying its inventiveness, resoluteness and capacity to manage the dynamics in its operating environment. He added that the company has so far achieved respectable hard fought numbers in the face of tough economic climate.
The company's strategic partnership with Tiger Brands of South Africa in UAC Foods Limited, according to him, is performing, while it has also recorded progress in its growth drive into adjacent categories through the planned acquisition of majority stake in Livestock Feeds Plc and Portland Paints and Products Plc.
All these transactions, he hinted, are in line with the company's strategy of building a portfolio of brands and businesses geared to the growth segments of the Nigerian economy, and partnerships that deliver long-term value to the company and its stakeholders.
