Cynthia Osokogu: NOA to honour 7 policemen

Cynthia and the suspects
| credits: Eniola Akinkuotu

The National Orientation Agency on Friday in Abuja said it would honour the seven police officers who investigated the murder of Cynthia Osokogu by her Facebook friends.

The Director-General of NOA, Mr. Mike Omeri, said the decision was part of its drive to promote positive value reorientation among public office holders.

The officers would be invested with the Citizens’ Responsibility Recognition in a ceremony to be presided over by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement made available to SATURDAY PUNCH, the Chief Press Secretary to the DG, Mr. Paul Odenyi said, “NOA will soon confer the award on seven policemen for their dedication and professional competence displayed in their speedy investigation of the circumstances surrounding the death of Cynthia Osokogu.”

Omeri described the efficient manner in which the policemen investigated the murder as a testimony the efficacy of the reforms being carried out by the leadership of the police.

He said, “The police personnel who are drawn from the Area ‘E’ Command of the police in Lagos include a Deputy Superintendent of police, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, two Assistant Superintendents of Police, and three other junior personnel.

“We at NOA have insisted on a re-evaluation and restructuring of the system of awards in this country. Those who truly distinguish themselves in their chosen fields of endeavour should be given recognition as against the former practice of giving honour to individuals of questionable character. We will recognise these officers as good examples of excellence in service, diligence in duty and commitment to our collective war against crimes as a people”.

The NOA DG recalled that about two months ago, the agency had organised a value re-orientation roundtable tagged “Do the right thing: Ethics first,” for uniformed men in the country.

Omeri said the handling of the Cynthia Osokogu murder case was a welcome departure from the norm, adding that it showed that the agency’s efforts at value re-orientation in the society had begun to yield positive results.