WAI Brigade Expresses Readiness To Join Government In Fighting Corruption
The War Against Indiscipline (WAI) Brigade, Nigeria’s indigenous uniformed para-military volunteer organization has expressed readiness and commitment of members nationwide to join the Federal government in the renewed fight against corruption and other sharp anti social practices in Nigeria.
The WAI Brigade which was established during the Buhari Idiagbon administration in 1984 and spearheaded the nationwide campaign against social disorder and indiscipline during the 80s said its officers and men who are on ground across the entire 774 local government councils in Nigeria are well trained, disciplined and battle ready to support the current government which has shown great level of preparedness and seriousness towards the fight against corruption and indiscipline in actualizing the agenda.
Comrade Adeoye Gabriel, WAI Brigade Lagos State Commander who was speaking at the annual WAI Brigade year-end and patron investiture program in Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday noted that corruption and anti social behaviours have eaten deep into the fabrics of the nation and takes a very determined government and re-orientated public to stamp it out.
Adeoye said, “The endemic level of corruption and indiscipline in Nigeria is worrisome. The reports all over the nation are discouraging and only a very determined government can reverse the trend. To achieve this, the government needs the support of the entire nation as well as dedicated organizations like WAI with gallant presence in all local areas.”
“For instance, the campaign against corruption can be very effective through nationwide aggressive enlightenment programs, punishment of offenders and national commendation for good examples. The War Against Indiscipline in the 80s was a classic example of orientating the people towards fresh cultural reorientation and attitudinal renewal. In inculcating discipline in public places, Nigerians learnt to queue at bus stops, petrol stations, banks, shops, and even water taps. The WAI Brigade volunteers are ready and committed to assist the Buhari administration on this crusade. It will not happen overnight but it is achievable. “
Adeoye urged volunteers to continue to contribute meaningfully in their environment, perform their civic duties creditably and be worthy ambassadors who can ultimately help in injecting into the society a holistic set of public and private decorum in the national life.
The Commander enumerated the achievements of the Lagos State command in the last one year including, Monthly Sanitation Exercise enforcement, collaboration with police, training of officers, creation of new departments, annual camping programs and others.
Our members have formed a great alliance with the Lagos State Governor’s wife sanitation monitoring team. In the present composition of the Lagos State Joint Task Force (LSJTF) cabinet, the Commandant of the Lagos State WAI Brigade, Task Force Corps, is the Admin. to the Lagos State Joint Task Force. The Lagos State Joint Task Force comprises the Nigeria Police, NSCDC, LASTMA, KAI etc. the Lagos State Command has been organizing annual camping for all members across the State with various themes to empower them to tackle the challenges facing our country, Nigeria.
We have also created new Departments. Unlike before, we now have the following departments/corps at State, Zonal and Area Command levels in the State:1) Administrative Department.2) Parade & Drill Department.3) Provost Department.4) Operations Department.5) Intelligence Corps.6) Quarter Masters Corps.7) State Special Squad Corps. 8) First Lady Monitoring Team.9) Task Force Corps – attached to the Governor’s Office.10) Information/Strategic Planning Corps. Etc.
Although the number of our patrons is on the increase, I am delighted to announce to you that presently we are having ten Patrons (male and female). Just Last month, we had the investiture and decoration of the Royal father of the day, High Chief DR (Hon) Ezeigbo Jossy Egwuatu (JP) and today another landmark will be recorded in couple of minutes from now of the decoration of the Royal State Patron HRH King John Tome Gbega, ZOLA of Africa, Atobatele of Badagry-Lagos who by this act will join the league of our Patrons and I believe that this will translate to more achievements to the Lagos State Command. So far, supports in various forms have been received from our indefatigable Patrons. The Organization now have two plots of land at Ikorodu donated to us by Patron Alhaji Wasaka, which we have started its development and branded – “Training College, WAI Brigade Nigeria, Ikorodu Command, Lagos State, Nigeria”. First of its kind, henceforth, all our camping activities and training would be taking place there without hindrance.
There was a forum organized between the Lagos State WAI Brigade and the Nigeria Police at the Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi which aimed at strengthening the relationship with the Nigeria Police and foster cooperation in combating every act of indiscipline and corruption in our society.
Recently, the Institute of Criminology and Penology Nigeria, organized courses for our members in different levels on security studies at the end of which certificates were awarded at different categories ranges from Basic certificate for FSLC holders, Professional certificate for school Cert. holders while holders of NCE, ND, HND and B.Sc were awarded with Diploma in criminology and security studies. Moreso, by January 2016 members will be enrolled for Advanced Diploma course in security studies at the Federal College of Education, Technical, Akoka Lagos.
Also speaking at the occasion, Mr Waheed Ishola, Lagos State Director of the National orientation Agency (NOA), noted that the goal of NOA is to consistently raise awareness, provide timely and credible feedback; positively change attitudes, values and behaviours; accurately and adequately inform; and sufficiently mobilize citizens to act in ways that promote peace, harmony; and national development.
He commended the WAI brigade for its social service to the public and urged members to remain well behaved and informed at all times.
“As proud members of the WAI brigade, we must continue to live up to our responsibilities and be proud to serve our fatherland as the only indigenous voluntary paramilitary uniformed organization in Nigeria.
The new Lagos WAI Brigade patron whose investiture also took place at the event, HRH King John Tome Gbega, ZOLA of Africa, Atobatele of Badagry-Lagos also commended the volunteers for its contributions to the society.
The WAI brigade has existed since 1984 for over 30 years and is empowered by Decree 100 of 1993, now Parliamentary Act 64 of 2007.
ENDS.