It was nothing but an excellent epilogue, the marking of the Controller General, Federal Fire Service’s 100 days in office with a delectable lecture by the seasoned writer and speaker, Ike Neliaku PhD, fnipr, fapra. The lecture which centred on the theme of the event COACHING: A PANACEA FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE had in attendance, top management, Officers and men of the Service.
During his lecture, Dr Neliaku challenged the management of the Service to prioritize the improvement of the Staff of the Service, as coaching, being one of the strategies for better performance although has its roles, it is not the perfect cap that fits all, but with training and mentoring amongst other strategies, the confidence of the Officers and Men of the Service will be enhanced.

The event which took place on the 11th August 2022, at the Service Corporate Headquarters kicked off with a key note address by the Controller General of the Service, Engr. Jaji O, Abdulganiyu, MIFire.E, MNSE, to round off the 5 days long event. In his keynote address, the CG outlined his achievements within the 100 days after his appointment by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari GCFR Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
Within these 100 days period Engr. Jaji has brokered a robust partnership in the area of Public Private Partnership thereby tapping into the enormous resources of the Private Sector to further develop the Safety Industry, by way of encouraging the establishment of private Fire Stations which yielded tremendous result. On this wing of encouragement, DIFF Medical and Nigeria Export Processing Zones were established with numerous private stations under construction. To him, the need for more Fire Stations cannot be overemphasised as it will go a long way to reduce response time during fire emergencies.
Also, there has been an enhanced capacity of our men by training and re- training to ensure the safety of lives and property. This area has necessitated the Service’s collaboration with NAFFCO in UAE and Turkish Army during the Controller General’s visit to Konya State especially in the area of CBRN i.e. Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear firefighting.
Within these 100 days in office, the CG has been able to bring into light the collaboration with Nigerian Air force on the establishment of Aerial Fire Response Unit. This has also enjoyed a major boost during his trip to the California National Guard on capacity Building for the Men of the Service on Aerial Firefighting.
It is within his 100 days in office that he vigorously pursued, the enactment of the Fire Service Act and other extant laws, and to the joy of the service, on the 16th of June, 2022, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved the repeal of the 60-year-old Fire Service Act and the enactment of the Federal Fire and Rescue Service Establishment Act.
In the last 100 days, the Service has seen massive Public Enlightenment Campaign on fire prevention, control and mitigation; this has been ongoing across the country as the CG is a strong believer that prevention of fire is cheaper, safer and easier than fire fighting.
The service is Leveraging on technology to enhance her statutory mandate and efficient service delivery, amongst others. This area is so important to FFS as it will enhance firefighting and drastically reduce attack on her men. Only recently, video and pictorial evidence was used to prosecute a young man who is today remanded in Prison in Oyo state for fighting our men in the cause of their duty the CG Stated.
Engr. Jaji reiterated to the guests seated that one of his cardinal agenda is to enhance the capacity of his Officers and Men by training and re-training to ensure the safety of lives and property which is what birthed the theme of the event, COACHING: A PANACEA FOR BETTER PERFORMANCE. ‘Tell me a man who evolves without coaching. If it’s not direct, it would be indirect. At many points in our lives, we get coached on one thing or the other. I am a product of coaching; my track records or success stories today reeks of coaching. I have been coached through just understudying my superiors, training and discipline’’ he emphasised.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of awards to a few deserving patriotic Nigerians who distinguished themselves by supporting the Service through building and donation of Fire Stations, Training School and residence for fire Officers in the country.
Recall that the activities to mark the CG’s 100 days in office commenced with Medical Outreach to Kpaduma Village, Kpaduma district, Abuja, followed by inspection of Fire Stations within the FCT and the ongoing Kubwa Metropolitan Fire Station in Kubwa, Abuja. A sensitization and public enlightenment Campaign was also taken to Emab plaza and GSM Village, Wuse, Abuja.

The program ended with a brief fire drill simulation exercise from the operation unit of the Service.

Signed
ACF Paul O. Abraham
National PRO
11/08/2022