A Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer, who became an internet sensation for his viral ‘Oga At The Top’ remark, has been promoted to the rank of deputy commandant-general (CG).
Shem Obafiaye, who was the Lagos Commandant of the NSCDC in 2013, gained widespread attention during an appearance on Channels Television’s breakfast programme, Sunrise Daily.
When asked to provide the NSCDC’s website, Obafaiye replied, “The website is… excuse me… wait… it can only be made known by my Oga at the top,” pointing skywards and smiling broadly.
The phrase “Oga At The Top” quickly went viral, turning into memes, danceable tunes, and even being printed on T-shirts featuring a caricature of Obafiaye.
Despite the humorous incident, he was redeployed from the Lagos Command shortly afterwards.
Now, after ten years, Obafiaye has been promoted to Deputy Commandant-General, along with two other colleagues, Fasiu Adeyinika and Ibrahim Raji, who previously served as commandants in Kwara and Imo, respectively.
The promotion was made public on Friday in a statement that was signed by Babawale Afolabi, the National Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC.
The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, presided over the decoration ceremony of the new DCGs on Wednesday in the Aisha Rufai Conference Room, located at the Civil Defence, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB).
“Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has decorated three newly promoted Deputy Commandants General (DCGs) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) with their new ranks, calling on them to be loyal, disciplined and initiate ideas for the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure (CNAI),” the NSCDC statement read.
Tunji-Ojo urged the new DCGs to act as the nation’s cornerstones and building blocks, stressing that the ministry cannot accomplish any significant development on its own without their assistance.
He also described the promotions as a recognition of hard work and a call to further duty, and urged the newly appointed DCGs to mentor their subordinates effectively to prevent any gaps in their duties.
Obafiaye, who expressed gratitude to God and the NSCDC leadership for his promotion, said he was humbled by the opportunity to serve the nation at a higher level.
He also said he had learned from his past experience and was ready to face the challenges ahead.
“I thank God for this promotion. It is a great honour and privilege to serve the nation at this capacity. I also thank the NSCDC leadership for their support and guidance. I have learned a lot from my past experience and I am ready to face the challenges ahead. I will continue to do my best to uphold the integrity and professionalism of the NSCDC,” he said.
Obafiaye also appealed to the public to support the NSCDC in its mandate of protecting the nation’s critical assets and infrastructure, as well as maintaining peace and order in the society.
He said the NSCDC was committed to working with other security agencies to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians.
“We appeal to the public to support us in our mandate of protecting the nation’s critical assets and infrastructure, as well as maintaining peace and order in the society. We are committed to working with other security agencies to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians. We also urge the public to report any suspicious activities or persons to the nearest NSCDC formation or call our emergency numbers,” he said.
