IGP Disu doffs hat for PCRC for its service to society, nation
…As he urges students to avoid social vices
By, Kenneth Uwasomba
The Inspector General of Police, IGP, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has commended the leadership and members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) for their efforts in sustaining the Safe School Initiative Project.
The commendation was made by IGP Disu, represented by the Police Public Relations Officer, Imo State Command, DSP Henry Okoye, during a sensitisation visit by the PCRC to City Secondary School, Owerri, on Wednesday.
Delivering the IGP’s address on the occasion, Okoye paid glowing tribute to members of the PCRC, a Non-Governmental Agency involved in the Safe School Initiative/Club Project, in line with the IGP’s Safe School Initiative.
According to him, the students were enjoined by the IGP to “say no to crime, cultism, drug abuse and other vices that can lead you into crime.”
He further stated that the IGP wants students to learn in a secure and conducive environment that will enable them to become successful men and women in society, adding, “This Little Light of Mine; Am going to let it Shine.”
He also urged the students to respect their teachers and obey law and order in society, emphasising that with education and good character, they would go far in life.
Earlier in his speech, the National Chairman of PCRC, Alhaji Magaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, commended the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji, for the initiative and disclosed that the committee is determined to support the IGP in his policy statement, “This Little Light of Mine; Am going to let it Shine.”
He advised the students to abide by what they were taught.
In an interview later, the state coordinator of the committee, Okenze Maurice Ekeh, pointed out that the project is IGP OLATUNJI’s idea and initiative to select and partner with civilians to ensure that all schools across the nation — kindergarten, primary, secondary and tertiary — are safe.
According to him, “To keep them safe, we are to garner information about what is happening in the state, to ensure they are run accordingly — reach out to the Parent Teacher Association, the teachers, as well, advise government in conjunction with relevant stakeholders on how to curtail social vices among students.”
He also stated that they first send their report to the IGP, who will give directives on what to do.
Some of the dignitaries who graced the occasion included the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, who represented the commissioner, Prof. Bernard-Thompson Ikegwuoha; the state chairman of PCRC, Evangelist Dr. Bethran Uzodimma, who added that part of their responsibilities is to liaise with security operatives and provide traffic signs.
Others included representatives of the Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, Mr. Samuel Ihezue, represented by Mr. Desmond Uzokwe; Presidents-General; the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW); and the Federal Road Safety Corps, who all pledged to support the PCRC and the Safe Schools Initiative of the IGP.
The FRSC and the NURTW also promised to educate students on traffic rules and civic education.
The students displayed placards with inscriptions such as: “See something strange? Speak up. Tell an adult right away”; “Say GGG no to cultism”; “IGP loves you”; “Go straight home when school is out”; “Safety starts with you”; and “Always ask your parents before you go out”, among others.
