11th November, 2010
Success cannot be achieved on a platter of gold but through diligence, dedication and determination. These words aptly describe the Lagos State Police Command Area ‘G’ Traffic Police Officer, Emesim Rita Oyintare. She is known as Iron Lady by most of her colleagues.
Holding a copy of the day’s P.M.NEWS in her hand, she was a few nights ago spotted in the Ogba area of Lagos, southwest Nigeria, in the thick of vehicular traffic, discharging her duties and caring less about curious passers-by who had gathered around and cheered her as she untangled the knot of traffic. Perhaps it is because of the seriousnes with she approaches her job that she bears nick names like Iron Lady and Mama.
Baring her mind on what motivates her, keeping her on the job even beyond normal work hours, the Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, explained that her passion for the job transcends every other consideration. She stated that anything that is worth doing at all is worth doing well.
“You see, a good leader must lead by example. This is why I never shy away from my responsibilities. I am always on the road controlling traffic, come sunshine, come rain,” she said.
“Honestly, I enjoy doing the job and there is nothing like enjoying what you do, even when the financial reward is not too good. There are no two ways to success; the only known way to success is hard work, through consistency and efficiency.
“I am the type of leader that does not only teach my followers what to do, but go ahead to practicalise it right before them. So, I do not just sit in the office and give instructions. I also go to the field to control traffic. It is in my system and I am enjoying my job to the best of my ability,†she added.
The 1996 graduate of Police Academy, Kano, who also holds two master’s degrees, commended the activities of police generally towards combating crime in recent times. She said the force had improved tremendously in its routine job and that most police officers are now taking their jobs seriously. Emesim believes that one day, the Nigeria Police Force will get there.
“However, I will suggest that the system should totally be overhauled to be on the same level with security agencies in the United States and Europe, where information given to the police remains confidential and where there are better conditions of service which enhances performance,” she said.
She also suggested that housing, salaries and allowances of the police should be reviewed, and they should be provided with modern equipment.
On the issue of policemen who collect N20 on the highway, she stated that measures are being put in place to reduce if not eradicate the menace of bribery and corruption in the force. One of the measures is that police officers found guilty of bribery and corruption are punished according to the magnitude of the offence to serve as deterrent to others. To further curtail bribery and corruption, the police no longer check particulars at road blocks, she disclosed.
The 1992 graduate of University of Calabar who did her National Youth Service Corps, NYSC in Katsina State in 1993, stressed that women are the major challenges she encounters while on duty. She said men are usually cooperative, while women tend to disobey simply traffic rules. She added that beside female drivers who pose problems at road junctions, officials of the Lagos State government are another set of recalcitrant people, always claiming that they are Fashola’s men and women.
Despite these challenges and the fact that the Area ‘G’ Police Command has 19 divisions, making it the biggest in the state, Emesim enjoys her job, sometimes working beyond 10p.m. and resuming at 5a.m.
On whether she has encountered any problem with men of the underworld, Iron Lady, who recently underwent a programme at the University of Liverpool, England, said that so far, she had not encountered and does not pray to encounter them. She said recently, one of her men had the experience when some traffic officers were engaged in a minor rift with a gang of handbag snatchers on a motorbike. They were on evening duty on Acme Road, by First Bank junction, Ogba, when the thieves stoned the officer on duty. “Thank God that it was not too serious, as the officer is already back at his duty post,” she said.
Emesim who read Language and Linguistics at the University of Calabar, also intends to pursue a course in Psychology and Phonetics at the University of Ibadan next academic session. She said she has served in major departments in the force, from crime and administration to traffic control.
The woman who had served in various capacities in Delta and Lagos state commands, advised upcoming police officers to be hard-working, and shun mediocrity, as upholding merit will go a long way to add quality to their lives.
She also said anybody joining the force should be prepared for service to the nation, without the mind-set of making financial gains from the force. She reiterated that though the force is not enticing, it is very interesting and challenging for officers who know their onions.
Explaining her family background, Emesim who holds a Masters degree in Human Refugee from the University of Lagos said that she grew up in a Christian family of seven children: a boy and six girls.
Her quest and passion to serve her motherland made her to enlist in the Nigeria Police Force in 1994. She also said God has blessed her immediate family, husband and children, who have been very supportive in realising her dreams.
Emesim Oyintare advised all serving police officers to do their job with passion and happiness believing that one day they will reap bountifully from their labour. And to the general public, she advised them to respect policemen and officers at all times, bearing in mind that they are their friends.
“The general public should not hesitate to furnish the police with any information that can assist them in the perform of their duties diligently, as it is the case in the US. Help the police to help you,†she advised.
—Dedeigbo Ayodeji & Hakeem Jimoh
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