The Federal Road Safety Commission has approved the promotion of 1 Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) to the rank of Deputy Corps Marshal (DCM), 9 Corps Commanders (CC) to the rank of Assistant Corps Marshal (ACM) and 26 Deputy Corps Commanders (DCC) to the rank of Corps Commander.

The approval came at the end of the meeting of the Commission on 12 April, 2021, ratifying the resolution of the Establishment Committee of FRSC on promotion of Senior Officers, where the exercise was diligently deliberated upon.

The Corps Public Education Officer, Bisi Kazeem, who made the statement, revealed that the promotion takes effect from 12 April, 2021. He gave the list of the Officers promoted to Deputy Corps Marshal as; Assistant Corps Marshal, Victor Nwokolo fdc to represent the South Eastern Zone of the country following the retirement of DCM Kenneth Nwaegbe mni.

Three other ACMs who were also promoted with the mandate to proceed on terminal leave with immediate effect are; ACM Kehinde Adeleye fdc, in charge of Policy, Research and Statistics Department at the national headquarters, ACM Godwin O. Ogagaoghene mni, the Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Benin Zonal Command, as well as ACM Edward A. ZAMBER, the Zonal Commanding Officer in charge of Yola Zonal Command.

In the same vein, Kazeem also gave the names of the 9 Corps Commanders promoted to ACM as, Corps Commander Kumapayi Ayodele who is presently the Sector Commander Anambra State, Corps Commander Wobin Gora, Sector Commander FCT, Corps Commander Chidi Nkwonta fwc, Sector Commander Bayelsa State, Corps Commander Adetunji Adegoke, the Deputy Corps Secretary at the National Headquarters (RSHQ) Abuja, and Corps Commander Godwin Omiko Phd, Deputy Commandant, FRSC Command and Staff College, Enugu.

Others are; The head, Policy Advisory Unit, under the Office of the Corps Marshal, at the National Headquarters (RSHQ) Abuja, CC Emmanuel Nnanna Obot fsi, CC Yerima Musa Ramalan fwc in the Department of Policy, Research and Statistics at the national headquarters, CC Rindon Kunven fwc, in charge of the Corps Safety Engineering Office, CC Sunday Iyamah fwc in charge of the Corps Budget Office at the national headquarters.

Moreover, 6 other CCs were also promoted to ACM with the mandate to hand over to the most senior Officer in their Department/Command and proceed for their statutory 3 months terminal leave with effect from 12 April, 2021. The six Officers are; CC KC Alao, CC KO Akinusoye, CC OA Daniel, CC AA Hammed, CC SO Aborchi, and CC SO Oke.

While the newly promoted Corps Commanders are; Deputy Corps Commander JO Asaolu psc of the Corps Budget Office, DCC Ann Odeleye in charge of National Road Safety Advisory Council, DCC Lasun Bamigbayan, in charge of Quality Management System at the national headquarters and DCC PI Ugwu of FRSC Academy Udi, Enugu State.

Others include, the head, FRSC Signage Gwagwalada, DCC Dapel (FCA), DCC UA Ibrahim, DCC AM Hassan, DCC PC Okoyeocha and 18 others.

The Commission’s Chairman, Bukhari Bello expressed delight over the attitude of transparency and objectivity that heralded the whole process and urged the promoted Officers to show more commitment and rededicate themselves to achieving the Corporate mission of the Corps which is to eradicate road traffic crashes and create a safer motoring environment in the country.

He stated that the promotion exercise is part of the Commission’s drive towards rewarding excellence, diligence and hard work which is in line with the administrative philosophy of the present leadership of the Corps.

Kazeem added that the Corps Marshal, Dr Boboye Oyeyemi, equally congratulated the newly elevated Officers for their excellent performances during the exercise, noting that every promotion comes with greater responsibilities. He charged them to put in their best in the course of their duties as the new rank calls for more focus, more dedication, commitment and passion.

He admonished those who were not fortunate this promotion year to keep faith alive and hope for the best as opportunities still abound for promotion in the future.

Speaking further, the Corps Marshal promised to improve the general welfare of the personnel of the Corps to the satisfaction of all. As such, he beckoned on all personnel to be of good cheer and put in great efforts towards the realisation of the corporate mandate of the Corps.

Speaking on the processes and phases of the entire exercise, Kazeem disclosed that the promotion exercise which was done in full observation of all COVID-19 protocol began with medical examination, physical test exercises, computer based examination, and oral interview.

The newly promoted Officers shall be decorated in strict compliance with Presidential directives and NCDC guidelines on physical distancing and other preventive measures against the dreaded coronavirus

By Iliya Kure

A Nigerian political group, Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has criticised the BBC and Voice of America, among other media, for carrying reports saying the group has endorsed Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, as presidential candidate ahead of the 2023 general elections.

A statement by its National Chairman, Elliot Afiyo, made available to AFRICA PRIME NEWS says, the group’s political committee has submitted only three politicians, “Senator Bala Mohammed, Chief Raymond A. Dokpesi and Senator Bola Tinunbu were recommended for consideration by the NEC.”

The group said despite press conference in Kano, conducted by Chairman of its Political Committee, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar to shed light on the position of the NYLF, some media organizations went ahead to broadcast and print erroneous reports.

“We then wondered from where the BBC and VOA got their own report that included Governor Nyesom Wike among the recommended persons and was subsequently endorsed by the NEC of the NYLF” the statement says.

The statement added that its “NEC meeting (held) in Sokoto was purposely convened to receive the political committee’s Report and fix a date for the Delegates conference, during which the delegates comprising all the Chairmen and Secretaries of the 42 affiliated Youth Organizations and all the Zonal Officers will vote. The candidate to be endorsed must get 2/3 of the total votes.”

The group therefore advised Nigerians to disregard any information on endorsement of candidates by NYLF for 2023 presidential elections, adding that it would not endorse anybody until the 20th of May, 2021, through a process that will be conducted in public view and in a transparent manner.

THE FULL STATEMENT

A Press Release by Comrade Elliot Afiyo, National Chairman of the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) on the 11th of April, 2021 at Sokoto.

The attention of the Northern Youth Leaders Forum (NYLF) has been drawn to so many publications in print and electronic media both in National and International Media Organizations claiming that the NYLF has endorsed Senator Bala Mohammed, Chief Raymond Dokpesi or Senator Bola Tinunbu as our preferred Candidates for 2023 presidential elections during our NEC meeting in Sokoto on the 10th of April, 2021.

Despite the fact that our Political Committee Chairman, Dr. Sadiq Abubakar has held a Press Conference in Kano to clarify the position of the NYLF, yet, some media organizations went ahead to broadcasting and printing the erroneous Report.

To this end, I wish to state clearly that the NEC meeting in Sokoto was purposely convened to receive the political committee’s Report and fix a date for the Delegates Conference during which the Delegates comprising all the Chairmen and Secretaries of the 42 affiliated Youth Organizations and all the Zonal Officers will vote. The candidate to be endorsed must get 2/3 of the total votes.

During our NEC meeting in Gombe on the 14th of February, 2021, the NEC shortlisted thirteen (13) Politicians and directed the political committee to carry out thorough research or checking on them and put forward their recommendations to the NEC.

From the Report presented to us only Senator Bala Mohammed, Chief Raymond A. Dokpesi and Senator Bola Tinunbu were recommended for consideration by the NEC. We then wondered from where the BBC and VOA got their own report that included Governor Nyesom Wike among the recommended persons and was subsequently endorsed by the NEC of the NYLF.

We want to reiterate and state clearly without any fear of contradiction that the NYLF has not and would not endorse anybody until the 20th of May, 2021 which by the grace of God, will be done in public view and in a transparent manner.

Until then, the public should discard and disregard any information on the endorsement of Candidates by the NYLF for 2023 Presidential Elections. We are not unaware of the scheming by some groups. But we have resolved and unequivocal too, to avoid the mistake of past.

Comrade Elliot Afiyo

National Chairman.

.. Army lauds Zulum

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Monday, led the senators representing the state at the national assembly, to visit the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru in Abuja.

Zulum, Senators Kashim Shettima (Borno Central), Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South) and Abubakar Kyari (Borno North), joined by Borno’s caretaker chairman of APC, Ali Dalori, met the service chiefs over recent attacks by Boko Haram in some parts of the state.

The visits were done separately and on each, discussion was held behind closed doors.

Before one of the closed-doors, Zulum paid an open courtesy call at the office of the army chief, thanking soldiers for their patriotism, sacrifices and commitment in the shared effort to restore peace in Borno.

The governor however called on the Nigerian military to bridge keep improving trust between the population, government and the military.

“We must do everything possible to improve on the trust between the population, government, and the military. We need to work together, one thing we should do is to ensure ongoing operations are sustained and farmers are able to return to their farmlands so that we reduce reliance of food aid that is not sustainable. We will give the military all the necessary support, and continue to interface with you, hoping this problem will be resolved within the shortest time” Zulum said.

Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru commended Governor Zulum for his tremendous support to the military and described the visit as timely. He noted that such visit offer windows for productive exchange of ideas.

“I personally commend and appreciate Governor Zulum’s gestures to the Operation Lafiya Dole on medical assistance, food support, among others.
We note these support and we are grateful” the COAS said.

Attahiru assured the Governor that operational strategies were being enhanced in the fight against Boko Haram and other criminal activities