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Remain Steadfast In Pursuing Excellence, NCoS Boss Charges Professionals, Others …Receives Award For Patriotism 

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6 months ago

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The Assistant Controller General of Corrections, Zone A, Lagos, Ope Fatimikun, Mni, has urged professionals and emerging leaders to remain steadfast in their pursuit of excellence, driven by a sense of purpose and patriotism.
He added that together, they could shape a brighter for the African continent and beyond
Fatinikun gave the charge during his award ceremony by the African Emerging Leadership, Research and Development Organisation on Thursday in Lagos.
The Nigerian Correctional  Service boss was awarded with the prize for Patriotism, Professionalism and Service to Humanity.
According to Fatinikun, the award is not just a personal achievement, but a testament to the tireless efforts of his team, mentors and the community he had the privilege to serve.
“I am deeply humbled to stand before you today to accept this prestigious award. I did not see it coming and to say I am over joyed is an understatement.
“This simply means that someone out there is watching and acknowledging my input and that makes me feel elevated, excited and proud.
“I want to first of all, return all glory to God Almighty, the Alpha and Omega, creator of heaven and earth. And ofcourse, my Controller General, Ndidi Nwakuche, for posting me here.
“My sincere thanks also goes to the African Emerging Leadership, Research and Development Organisation for this recognition. It simply means more work.
“As we celebrate this milestone, I reaffirm my commitment to continue in our collective efforts, to drive positive, promote professionalism and serve humanity with passion and integrity,” he said.
Fatinikun lauded his staff and colleagues and the society at large, for their unwavering support, noting that the award was a testament to the power of collaboration and collective effort.
Speaking g further in an interview on the sidelines, he said that the task before him was an onerous one, as it entailed even evading sleep for days.
According to him, the zone is the biggest in the country and therefore called for extra work, using discretionary powers.
 He appealed with the general public for their understanding and support, in a bid to ensure a seamless operations.
According to him, handling over persons with disabilities, transgenders and even fresh nursing mother remains a task that needs discretion and a lot of wisdom, in a bid not to endanger lives.
“For instance, there is need to recognise a category of persons, who could be classified as special, when it comes to keeping them in the correctional centres.
“Take for instance, a disabled person or even a nursing mother, fresh from giving birth. Such persons need special places to stay, especially in the case of the nursing mother and her new born,  when they are brought in.
“This is to ensure some form of safety measures for them. We also have some transgender being brought in to serve their terms.
“These type of persons will always come and you will not have to keep them with the rest of the inmates.
“If some one with both male and female organ is sentenced, where will you keep such a person?. The male or female correctional facility?
“So, what we are saying is that we need to create a place separately for these persons, not just for the sake of comfort, or preferential treatment, but to ensure effective policing,” he said.
He urged the public to always strive to understand why  certain actions are taken in the course of carrying out  their mandates.
According to him, the service has in its employ, officers with the ability to carry out sign language for persons with hearing/ speech defects, in a bid to carry them along.
He however appealed with the Lagos state government to further assist the service with facilities that would enhance their daily operations
“Today, I am locking over 13,500 persons in the zone and I have less than 30 vehicles to go to almost 500 courts.
“I have requested for more vehicles from the Lagis state government as well as appealed for a special access road in the state.
“All these all these are in a bid to facilitate our operations and protect the society. We also want to appeal to the judiciary to ensure a speedy dispensation of justice.
“I want to say that the Federal Government is doing a lot in enhancing our job but like you all know, government alone cannot do everything. There is need for more support.
“Let me also seize this opportunity to thank all the NGOs, the churches, and some public spirited individuals  that have been partnering with us, to ensure that we have a safe society. We acknowledge your support but together, we  can do more,” he said.
Also reacting on the sidelines of the ceremony, Ebereonwu Julius Ogueri, Deputy Controller, incharge of the Ikoyi Medium Security Custodial Centre, another recipient of the award, said the award came to him as a pleasant surprise, adding that it simply put him on his toes.
He was awarded with the prize for Patriotism, Professionalism and Service to Humanity, by the same organisation.
“I am here because of a journey I had embarked on in 1993, that precipitated where I am today.
I have just received a leadership award which I never anticipated.
“But one thing is clear, when you are on the right track, you will be discovered. Amidst back lashes, because  I had lots of challenges that by the grace of God, I surmounted, those things have popularized me.
“So, indeed, I feel honoured and delighted for being discovered as both a present and future leader.
“My message therefore to the younger ones, is for them to be of good will. Today’s award is a product of hard work. I know what I passed through trying to coordinate my office, carrying out the mandate assigned to me. It is an onerous task,” he said.
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