By CELESTINE AFOKOBAH
The Committee of Heads of Federal Government Establishments (COHEADS) Delta State Chapter, has held its 2022 End of Year get together party and launch year 2023 COHEADS Calendar.
The occasion held under the chairmanship of the Delta State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rev. Monday Udoh Tom, took place at the Federal Secretariat Conference Hall Okpanam Road Asaba, the State capital.
Speaking at the event, the INEC REC who was accompanied by some of his Management Staff, called on members to remain united and committed to the goal of COHEADS. He noted that when members operate as a united body they can do great things than working individually.
The State INEC boss who is also a member of COHEADS used the opportunity to remind the public that the 2023 general election was just 71 days away as he noted that INEC, the Police Commissioner and other sister security agencies in the State and the people all had crucial roles to play in ensuring that the dreams of Nigerians were realised through the conduct of a free, fair, credible and acceptable election. He assured the public that INEC was ready and committed in its effort to conduct an acceptable, peaceful and successful election in 2023.
The Chairman of the occasion noted that as the saying goes, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy hence the need for COHEADS members to set aside a day to dine and wine as one family. The REC also noted that the occasion was not only to dance, dine and wine but also to launch the 2023 COHEADS Calendar as he called on members to participate fully in the launch of the calendar as part of efforts aimed at promoting and sustaining COHEADS existence in Delta State. Rev. Monday Udoh Tom emphasised the need for members to use occasions like this to gather annually as members of COHEADS, identify with one another and work for the common goal of COHEADS, stressing that when members are many, it is easier to achieve a common goal. The INEC boss, therefore, welcomed all members and urged them to remain active in the affairs of COHEADS in the State.
Also at the occasion, the Police Commissioner Delta State Police Command , CP Ari Mohammed Ali, represented by CSP. Imade Osazee Graham PhD, gave a lecture on the topic: “Security Consciousness in our Homes, Environs and Safety in the use of our Phones”.
He began by noting that security is everyone’s responsibility stressing that it is the duty of everyone to report suspicious movement and activities in our neighborhood to the police for necessary investigation.
The CP outlined some personal security tips in our homes and neighbourhood to include but not limited to : need to avoid keeping late, keep emergency numbers of the police and other security agencies, saving numbers of some close relations as emergency numbers to be reached in case of eventualities.
The CP also talked on the need for people to avoid exhibiting flamboyant life style , engaging private security guards in our homes without careful understanding of the Identity of such persons before engaging them . He equally emphasised the need for people to avoid entrusting their children and wards in the care of other people or allowing the children to visit home with unfamiliar friends. Also of note he said, is the need to avoid giving personal details especially financial transactions, house address and other vital personal information to people you do not know and trust very well.
Again, he explained that it is not security wise to allow security guard in our homes to engage in commercial activities at the gate pointing out that criminals could take advantage of patronising them, to survey the compound in order to carry out their criminal acts.
Speaking further, the guest speaker advised members to avoid exposing their activities unduly in the social media as criminals could take advantage of such to trail people’s movement. He also called on members to consider deleting traces of their financial transactions from their phones after such tractions as criminals could use such details in the event of loss of such gadgets.
Earlier, in his welcome address, the Chairman COHEADS and Geologist in Charge of the Nigerian Geological Survey Agency (NGSA) Delta State, Mr. Abraham Enukpere, Esq. Commended members for their support and active participation in the affairs of COHEADS Delta State. He noted that the End of Year get together was a way of bringing all members together as one family and as a platform for the realisation of COHEADS’ collective goal. The COHEADS Chairman said he was overwhelmed by the number of dignitaries that graced the event as he noted that the occasion was a platform to honour and reward some members that retired and others that were transferred in line with COHEADS’ bye-law. He commended the Chairperson and members of this year’s End of year Planning Committee led by AC. Philomena Anigbogu of the NSCDC for their good work.
The COHEADS Chairman however, listed some of the challenges of the body to include; default in payment of electricity bills by some MDAs operating from the Federal Secretariat Complex, poor attendance to meetings by some MDAs, lack of water in the Secretariat Complex for use in the rest rooms, need for improvement in the standard of the cre’che as well as need for land for COHEADS’ house.
Some members who were honoured were Mr. Dave Ibezim Agbor the Rep. of NYSC State Office Asaba, Mr. John Ngoigo of the Federal Pay Office and Financial Secretary COHEADS and Mr. Alali Godknows, the Representative of NAFDAC among others who retired recently.
Those who were transferred during the year were: Tpl. Victor Ahigbe Uduokhai the immediate past Federal Controller, Federal Ministry of Works and Housing (Housing Sector). Also honoured was a former General Manager NTA Asaba, Mr. Nick Onyishi both of whom were ably represented at the occasion.
There were good will messages from the State Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Delta State CC. Akinsanya Iskilu Abiodun who was represented by Abubakar Oladimeji , the State Comptroller Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) also represented by ACI Y. J. Zakari psc. The State Comptroller of Corrections, Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) Delta State , F.E. Ovie and the Sector Commander Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) CC. Udeme Bassey Eshiet were both represented by C.O. Ujadughele, Chief Supt. of Corrections and Mr. Ibidemi Kabir, Head Motor Vehicle Administration FRSC Asaba respectively.
Also, in his good will message, the NYSC State Coordinator Delta State, Mr. Alao Olusegun Olasebikan described COHEADS as a platform to identify with one another and also reunite with old colleagues in the course of one’s public service career.
Other dignitaries at the event included COHEADS’ Vice Chairperson/Legal Adviser, Mrs. Flora Imo, Esq. and State Coordinator Legal Aid Council Delta State, COHEADS Secretary and State Coordinator Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Erukpeme, Cresentia, the Assistant Secretary COHEADS, Mrs. Chidinma Ifeanyi of the NYSC South-South Area Office Asaba as well as the State Coordinator Code of Conduct Bureau, Mrs. Nkadi Francisca among others.
The high point of the get together was the launching of the 2023 COHEADS Calendar led by the representative of the NSCDC State Commandant Akinsanya Iskilu Abiodun followed by Heads and Representatives of other Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) present during the occasion.
Celestine Afokobah
Federal Information Centre (FIC), Asaba.