The Deputy Commandant General of Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires, Brigadier General David Buba Shaljaba (rtd) has called for selfless service among new leaders ofvthe body.
Shaljaba made this remark during the inauguration of the newly appointed Directors and Deputy Directors of the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires in Abuja, 17th October, 2023.
He said, “We must pursue the mandate of the Nigerian Legion Corps’ of Commissionaires and have it actualized. In doing this, Selfless service should be your watchword if we are going to make any worthwhile progress for the Corps. Remember that: “The crown of a leader is his integrity.His stronghold is his impartiality and his wealth is the prosperity of his people”.(Usman Dan Fodio). Render selfless services with passion, integrity, dedication and impartiality.
Newsdiaryonline reports that Shaljaba officially took over the reins of Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaire as the Deputy Commandant General on Thursday 30th June, 2022.
He said “My first assignment and challenge was to establish a clear direction and focus for Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaire through rebranding and repositioning the corps on the wheel of rapid growth by evolving and reshaping some policies.
“We reshuffled the cabinet and began the process of revalidation; making Corps to renew their oath of obligation to selfless Service and discipline.
” This current dissolution and appointment of new Directors and their deputies is also aimed at strengthening the structure and building a workable system that will elevate the corps to the next pedestal.
“You will also all agree with me that ” The common denominator of good leadership is the possession of a vision and the ability to instill this vision in the followers and empowering them to achieve the goals of the vision, through a process that enables both the leader and the led(Harry Hagher).
It is equally a truism that ” Followers will not follow a leader whose Integrity is flawed just as bad leaders are a curse to themselves as well as the Nations they lead”.
Shaljaba expressed his deep appreciation for their “sacrifices both in cash and kind in pursuit of the realization and sustenance of the vision of our forefathers about this establishment.
He added, “Be equally reminded that “Those who regard happiness as being synonymous with the possession of money miss the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative Enterprise (President Shehu Shagari).”
“It will be recalled that the Nigerian Legion Act Cap.N119 Laws of the Federation mandates the Nigerian Legion to establish the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaires to provide job opportunities in order to cater for the welfare of dependants and other citizens. We are saddled with this responsibility. Please, do recite this creed and plant it on your heart:
“The noble Mission of man is, and must be the happiness of others.When we make others happy, we contribute to the quality of human life and enhance our own sense of compassion and humanity.When we sacrifice the little we have so that others too may have a little, we become vital instruments in the hands of God.
“When we promote peace and unity, we wield our strength together and forge an iron of brotherhood that becomes a bulwark against the storm of hatred and the wind of animosity”.
“Your appointment to serve in this regard, should be seen as an opportunity to prove your mettle towards not only serving humanity but working assiduously to actualize the mandate of the Nigerian Legion as a whole, building bridges and
creating a democratic structure,where understanding, peace and stability can be achieved in the corps.
The retired General said “I am pleased to state that I have driven the vision of the Corps to the door steps of Nigerian leaders, traditional institutions and stakeholders; making a Clarion call to all Nigerians to embrace as well as support the Corps to realize its mandate, with the familiarization tour of the South West, South South and the North Central zones of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This Clarion call must reach to the door steps of the North East and North West as well. We must be focused despite the lingering internal and external challenges thwarting our efforts.
Speaking on his achievement so far in office, he said, “Since assumption of office, my Leadership has been able:
“To Implement tuition free Scholarship granted to Nigerian Legion dependants to study various Degree Programmes by Irsbaccom University, Parakou, Benin Republic.
“Has successfully created the Recognized Honourary Members (RHM) to serve as a support group of the Corps in the execution of projects and major Programmes affecting the operations of the Corps. The group has officially been inaugurated on 9th October,2022.
“My Administration has worked so hard and secured the National operational base of the Corps ( Head office) with the cooperation and support of all concerned members.
” Rebranded the Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaire and
Repositioned it on the right track for rapid reformation and transformation.
“It will interest you to know that I used my personal resources to print Identity Cards and handed over to all Commands to pay back, thereby breaking the jinks or impasse hitherto created by past leadership over identity Card issue.
” Created room for Corps revalidation and data capturing inorder to sanitize the entire process and system.
” My Leadership has successfully written and produced the Profile of Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaire, as well as the COC News Magazine, thereby projecting and integrating the Corps among the comity of Security outfits in Nigeria.
” My Leadership has taken physical and proactive steps in launching the Corps to limelight at all nooks and crannies of Nigeria by meeting past and current leaders to patronize the Corps.
He urged urge all “to come together in support of our leadership so that Nigerian Legion Corps of Commissionaire will become a reality in terms of realizing its objectives.
“My passion to serve humanity took me to study at all levels and carry out research work on the welfare of the retired personnel, widows and dependants, and little did I know that I will be given an opportunity to be in a position to implement such knowledge in to reality.
“I once again want to charge all of you to embrace the Corps and come up with ideas and projects that will change the face of veterans, widows, family of fallen heroes and their dependants generally”, he concluded.
