Agenda Papers Editorials:Commendations to Immigration officer Orji for bravery, rejection of N10 million bribe & arrest of ritualist Ezeani—– By Austine Uche-Ejeke

For a very long time Nigeria received a very good news when the story of the arrest of suspected kidnapper and ritualist Onyeka Obu aka Ezeani at Seme border by immigration officer Ugochukwu Orji went round the globe.

People may ask what is spectacular in this arrest and the answer is that the young officer not only risked his life to arrest the deadly diabolical man but rejected his offer of N10 million bribe to evade arrest.

Going by our stance of not only being a watchdog of every government in power and also not falling into the category of being arm chair critic it behoves us to applaud good things that happens in a regime while at the same time pinpoint all the evils of a government for possible correction by whosoever is at the helm of affairs.

While this rare feat is commendable worthy of emulation and viral proclamation is that the Seme border for a long time has been noted for notoriety and conduit pipe where human trafficking, snuggling of tokumbo vehicles, goods, arms and ammunition and all sorts take place.

This is also coming at such a time when the image of the Nigerian immigration services is at its lowest ebb as most borders are fraught with bribe taking to allow illegal immigrants and most of the passport offices nationwide particularly Festac,Ikeja and Ikoyi are reeking of corruption of extortions of Nigerians seeking to just get the international passport.

It is on record that most security agencies bribe their way to be posted to be to Seme border just because of the lucrative nature of that border post.

Is it not a thing of wonder that an immigration officer posted to such a duty post will see an opportunity to enrich himself but declined and instead did the needful for the security of the country.

The feat is highly commendable in the sense that officer Orji could have lost his life in the process of making the arrest. This is in the sense that he was dealing with a hardened and notorious criminal who could have harmed him physically or even used his juju powers to render him impotent and useless for obstructing his well orchestratedescape. But he insisted and said if he perish, he perished and that the right thing must be done.

Not only that, he also had the bravery of rejecting the juicy N10 million bribe that was offered to him. This rejection is coming in the heels of excruciating and biting economic hardship in the country where the take home salary of most government workers doesn’t last for a period of two weeks.

By this rare and spectacular display of this immigration officer he has proven that money is not everything and that a good name is better than gold.

In this inspiring display of patriotism and integrity and in a society like Nigeria where the get-rich-quick mania is at its peak it is a thing of joy that this is happening to Nigeria now.

It is in the light of this that some individuals and organizations have started appreciating and rewarding Ugochukwu Orji. One of such organizations Ugwumba Leadership Centre For Africa has gifted him N1 million in appreciation. Other public spirited people and organizations should follow suit and even over gift him above the N10 million bribe that was offered to him which he bluntly refused.

In as much as we don’t lay much emphasis on the monetary rewards as a major flak to this rare display of patriotism this Tinubu’s regime should cash in on this by blowing his trumpet. This will not only serve as examplary model but a thing to motivate others that honesty and patriotism pays.

The ministry of information and the National Orientation Agency should take this up as one of their campaigns to launder the bad image of the country to the outside world.

Radio and television jingles should be produced out of this, particularly to inspire the younger generation that they can succeed without soiling their hands in rituals and bribery.

This is the kind of Nigerians that president Tinubu and the federal government should bestow national honours and not criminal politicians and crooked Nigerians whose only achievement is to plunder this country.

But I doubt if this regime will do it because as we write not much government echoes has been heard in this regard, recognizing and eulogizing this gallant immigration officer.

Our fears is that let this not go the way of this government who suppress good things particularly if it comes from a particular section or region of the country. By now the president should have invited immigration officer Ugochukwu Orji to Aso Rock, commend him and decorate him with gallant garlands for a job well done.

It is only by doing this that others will be encouraged, motivated to take such risks knowing full well that their labour and sacrifice will not be in vain at the end of the day.

*Austine Uche-Ejeke a public affairs analyst and publisher of Agenda Papers writes vide eaustineuche@yahoo.com