NSM Award: Rewarding Excellence

By Chiemelie Ezeobi

Contrary to the norm that diligent people especially security agencies do not receive their reward on earth, Crown Media Limited in collaboration with Soundz and Meknitz Limited, with supports from TVE, a subsidiary of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Vanguard, The Nation, have put plans in place to rectify that anomaly.

After deliberations, the organisers established an award system that would inspire bravery and diligence among officers that would make them go the extra mile in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.

Also the award seeks to encourage selflessness and more gallantry in carrying out their duties, as well as creating a sense of recognition and appreciation to the families of late officers.

It is on record that often times, the families of deceased police officers who were killed in the line of duty are abandoned by the force after the death of the breadwinners. A typical case is the families of the late divisional police officer and divisional crime officer at Badagry who were killed in a crash with the Army from Bereko Barracks. Three years after, the widows are yet to be fully paid what is due their late husbands.

And so to curb such situations, Managing Director, Crown Media Limited, Emmanuel Nwabuokwu, said the award tagged the Nigerian Security Merit Award (NSM) would acknowledge the efforts of security agencies as well as corporate organisations, state governments and individuals that have shown exceptional commitment to security of lives and properties in the nation.

He said, "Like other countries of the world, Nigeria has witnessed and all is still witnessing series of security breaches and challenges ranging from militancy, homeland crime, political brigandry, robbery, kidnapping and all sorts of sponsored and organised crimes."

On the reason for instituting the award, he said, "Often times, you an I are busy carrying out their duties, while some select Nigerians, though trained to fight crime, provide security to the nation, either fighting or chasing the criminals at the risk of their lives and that of their families.

"Many have died before their time and many too are disabled in their process. You may say they are being paid, that is correct but even at that, bravery and gallantries deserves some level of appreciation, celebration and recognition."

He noted that without quality security framework, be t national or state security, no nation economy leaps. According to him, reasons why countries and states allocate huge vote to security is because security instability scares of Direct Foreign investors and collapses the speed of return on investment of investors.

The award which would be an annual event is proposed to hold on Wednesday, July 17, at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, has categories such as; most outstanding officer (junior and senior), life time achievement, the most peaceful state of the year (premium award), most secured state (diamond award) and most outstanding private security organisation.

Others are; the most outstanding security reporter of the year, the most outstanding government security agency (marine/land), most supportive corporate organisation, most supportive government/governor and posthumous awards.

Also, there are special recognition awards like the FG initiative for amnesty project for the Niger Delta militants, State Security Services (SSS), Nigeria Prison Service (NPS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).