The South South Youths Initiative, SSYI, and the newly redeployed Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Rivers State Command has agreed to work together for the overall interest of the state and region.
This came as a result of the meeting between the National Leadership of SSYI and NSCDC Rivers Commandant held yesterday.
Recall that last week, the South South Youths Initiative had called for the reinstatement of the former commandant, Mr Basil Igwebueze based on his track record, accessibility and quick response to security emergencies in the state which prompted a meeting with the new Commandant.
National President of SSYI, Comrade Imeabe Saviour Oscar in a statement after the meeting said the new Commandant has promised to work with youths of the region and Rivers State in particular to fight illegal bunkering and for overall peace of the state.
He said: “After a meeting with the National Leadership of the South South Youths Initiative, SSYI, the newly redeployed Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Rivers State Command, Mr Joachim Okafor has promised to work with the South South Youths Initiative, SSYI, and other youths of the state and region on issues that was raised concerning the sterling qualities and achievements of the former State Commandant, Basil Igwebueze.
“The new Commandant has promised the youths of Rivers State State, Niger Delta and the South South that he was going to compliment on the achievements of his predecessor by giving listening ears to the yearnings of the people and making his office accessible for security matters if that would spur the youths of the region to work with him.
“He has promised a workable synergy with the youths to ensure that his stay in the Command is successful,” he said.
Oscar added: “Okafor also maintained that the perennial challenge of illegal oil bunkering would be challenged head-on as his administration abhors zero-tolerance for oil theft.
“Also, he has promised to work in synergy with the people at the grassroot as he believes they are the ones to help him succeed in this national assignment, as he said that has been his style even where he’s being posted from as he was very close to the people which perhaps informed his posting to Rivers State”.
Oscar further stated, “That after hearing from him, the South South Youths Initiative, SSYI, has decided that we are going to work in synergy with him and give him the support to do his work and secure our state”.
“So we are happy that within few days of his taking over as State Commandant, Okafor has decided to meet the leadership of the South South Youths Initiative to forge a way forward and as a peace-loving and non-violent organisation, we are willing to give him our support so long as he keeps to his promise of zero-tolerance for illegal bunkering, being accessible to the grassroot and ensuring that peace is maintained in the state”.
The Youth leader emphasized that their initial position in calling for the reinstatement of the redeployed Commandant was not based on vendetta or perceived grievances with the new Commandant or any personal relationship with the former, but in the interest of security in the state as he said the Corps is now being highly respected by the people advising that, “For now the people do not regard the corps as so much enmeshed in corruption so we want them to maintain that to earn more regards from the people”.
The South South Youths Initiative appreciated the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr Audi Ahmed for his reforms in the corps and for sticking to his earlier promise of posting officers from South South to head offices in the region.
“We also appreciate the Commandant General of NSCDC, Dr. Audi Ahmed for sticking to his earlier promise of posting officers from the region to head commands in the region. We are happy that he has kept to his word and also listening more to the yearnings of people of the region.
“In as much as we are willing to work with all security agencies in the country, we also want them to understand that security is everyone’s business, so everyone must be involved in the security of our state because we know that the security agencies alone cannot achieve their cardinal objective of securing lives and properties without working with the people at the grassroot level,” he said.
Comrade Oscar also used the medium to thank the Deputy Commandant of NSCDC Rivers State, Mr. Dennis Lesor Reuben for his intervention and for brokering a meeting between the group and the new State Commandant.
