COALITION OF CIVIL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONS IN NIGERIA HONOURS MIKE OKIRO WITH MAN OF YEAR AWARDS; FLAGS OFF MOVE INITIATIVE

By Godson Ikpontu

Recently, there has been an urgent need for restructuring as a vehicle to steer the country towards greatness, thereby harnessing our diversity and unifying the whole country to take up its leadership role as the giants of Africa. In this regard, The Coalition of Civil Society Organizations in Nigeria (COCSON), the Democratic Youth Magazine, Advocates of the Not-Young-To-Run bill, Journalists, Students and other major stakeholders held an investiture ceremony to honour Sir (Dr.) Mike Mbama Okiro as “COCSON’S Man Of The Year 2020” and Ambassador of "Project 20 Million".

The Investiture Ceremony which was held on the 26th of January 2021 in the Federal Capital Territory also witnessed the unvieling of Mike Okiro Volunteer Eagles” (MOVE). According to the speech presented by Comrade Ikechukwu Chukwunyere, Convener Coalition Of Civil Society Organisations In Nigeria (COCSON) and Director General of Project 20 Million, he noted that the honour of Dr. Mike Okiro was in view of his professionalism, interventions and achievements, while in office as Inspector General of Police and Chairman Police Service Commission.

While emphasising on his achievements, the Convener, Comrade Ikechukwu Chukwunyere highlighted some of the feats of Dr. Mike Okiro, while in office as Inspector General of Police and Chairman Police Service Commission. The listed achievements includes, the Introduction of the Anti-Terrorism Squad, Introduction of the Police Games, Police Housing Scheme, forced Commercial Banks to introduce CCTV Cameras, Bullet Proof Doors and Vans to reduce bank robberies, Increased the Mobile Force Units, ponsored a Bill in the National Assembly on Anti-Terrorism, Introduced the Police Marathon Race, Recruitment of 10,000 Policemen at once, first time any Agency in Nigeria will recruit that amount of people, Establishing an Investigative Department headed by a Retired Justice of the Supreme Court., Raising the strength of the police officers from 80,000 in 1999 to over 400,000, Formulating a policy on how to carry out promotions in the Police Force, Submittion a Policy to the IG on expansion of Area Commands and the Implementation of the full Mandate of the Police Service Commission, amongst others.

While stressing on the capacity of COCSON, Comrade Ikechukwu stressed that the Organization had already a very strong grassroots’ base in the 36 states, 774 Local Government Areas and 120,0001 Polling Units, as he assured Nigerians of the Organization's interest to provide offices for MOVE across the 6 geopolitical zones, 36 state offices, 774 Local Government Areas and across, 120,001 Polling Units. He stated that this was inline with building youths for leadership positions.

In his concluding message he says, "Congratulations our amiable Ambassador on your investiture and Flag-off today. May God continue to grant you the wisdom, knowledge and strength to lead us right and unify the country".