Two significant positions germaine to the lawful and orderly management of the Nigerian society were formally filled yesterday, Thursday August 29, as the newly appointed Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, and the 32nd president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr. Afam Osigwe were sworn in to begin their tenures.
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While Ajayi will be in office for as long as age, competence and the will of the political authorities would permit, Osigwe will be in office for a non-renewable two-year tenure.Â
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Both will, however, work in cooperation with each other in the task of maintaining law and order in society.
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In his remarks at the assumption of office, Ajayi called on the staff of the Directorate to remain disciplined and professional in the discharge of their duties, promising also to work with relevant stakeholders with utmost commitment and deep sense of responsibility to surmount challenges confronting Nigeria’s economic, political and security environments, the objective being to achieve peace and stability necessary for development.
AJayi was received by the immediate past DGSS, Alhaji Yusuf Magahi Bichi, who briefed him on related issues.
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DSS Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications Peter Afunanya, who made this known in a statement, said the two who recalled moments that they worked together in the past, reflected on the respect and admiration they have for each other, and later addressed Management and Staff of the Service.
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“While the outgone DG urged all to cooperate with the new one to enable him succeed in the task ahead, Mr Ajayi harped on unity of purpose among staff and enjoined them to remain disciplined and professional in the discharge of their duties,” Afunanya said in the State.Â
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“Mr Ajayi assured that he would work with relevant stakeholders with utmost commitment and deep sense of responsibility so as to surmount challenges confronting Nigeria’s economic, political and security environments. The objective, according to him, is to achieve peace and stability necessary for development.
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“Highlight of the occasion was the handing over of the Service flag and other insignias of office by the former DG to the new one. Afterwards, Mr Ajayi took a tour of the National Headquarters during which he visited some sections and encouraged staff on duty to remain vigilant, resourceful, dedicated and loyal to the Service, constituted authorities and Nigeria at large.”
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Afunanya quoted Ajayi as pledging to refocus the Service towards covertness and “likelihood of studies silence over certain matters”.
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SIMILARLY, Mr. Osigwe, SAN, who was sworn in as the 32nd President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), also pledged to foster an inclusive bar that promotes unity and progress within association, and to hold federal and state governments accountable in order to ensure that their policies promote effective governance.
Osigwe who succeeds Yakubu Maikyau, the immediate past NBA president, will lead the lawyers’ forum, along with other newly elected national officers, for the next two years.
In his inaugural speech at the swearing-in ceremony held in Lagos yesterday, Osigwe praised his election opponents, Tobenna Erojikwe and Chukwukwa Ikwazom, for their professionalism throughout the election.
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He extended an invitation to them to collaborate in advancing the NBA,Â
The new president’s inauguration marked the conclusion of the NBA’s week-long annual general conference, which started on August 23rd.
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