By Fawaz Adebisi
Shem Obafaiye, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer behind the popular pidgin phrase “oga at the top”, has finally been promoted to the prestigious position of Deputy Commandant-General.
The promotion was officially conferred upon him, on Friday by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Accompanying Obafaiye in this commendable recognition are two other accomplished colleagues, Fasiu Adeyinka, former Kwara commandant, and Raji, former Imo commandant, who have been appointed as deputy commandants-general, signifying their exemplary dedication and service to the NSCDC.
Dr. Tunji-Ojo, in his capacity as the chairman of the Civil Defence, Correctional, Fire and Immigration Services Board (CDCFIB), made the official announcement through his X handle, stating, “I decorated the three new Deputy Commandants General of the @official_NSCDC today.”
“Oga at the top” is a Nigerian Pidgin phrase that means “senior or boss”. It is used to show respect to someone in a position of authority, or to avoid giving a direct answer to a question.
The phrase became very popular in 2013, when Channels TV interview with Shem, who was the Lagos State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, went viral.
He was asked about the website of his organization, and he replied: “I cannot categorically tell you one now…the one we are going to make use of will be made known by my Oga at the top.
He further stated that, “If you want to know about NSCDC as at now. Ok, www.nscdc…. That’s all.”
Many Nigerians found his response funny and inappropriate, and it sparked a lot of memes, jokes, songs, and even a puppet show called “Ogas at the Top”.
See Profile Of Obafaiye Shem
→ Zonal Commander, Zone F, Abeokuta, 15th July 2019 – till 2023
→ Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Nhq, 18th Feb. 2017 – 3rd July, 2019
→Commandant, Adamawa State Command, 17th January, 2017 – 15th Feb. 2017
→ Commandant, Gombe State Command, 25th November, 2014 –16th January, 2017
→ Commandant, Ekiti State Command, 6th May, 2014 – 21st Nov. 2014
→ Commandant, Zonal Command Office, Kaduna, April – May, 2014
→Commandant, Oyo State Command, 6th May, 2013 –22nd April, 2014
→ Commandant, Lagos State Command, 19th Nov, 2012 –26th March, 2013
– Katsina State Command, NSCDC, 2006 – 2012
– HOD PRS
– HOD Technical services
– Area Commander Funtua Zone
– Area Commander Katsina Metro
– Chairman Disciplinary Committee
– Ekiti State Command, NSCDC, 2005 – 2006
– Seven-up Bottling Co. Plc
– Inventory Manager, 1997 – 2005
– Purchasing Officer, 1996 – 1997
– People’s Bank of Nig. Plc
– Project Manager, 1990 – 1995
— Oyi LGA, Kogi State
Personal Assistant to the Chairman, 1986 – 1989
