Corps Commander Patrick Davou, the retiring Lagos State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), says hard work and patience are key to success.
Davou said this during a valedictory session in his honour on Wednesday in Lagos.
“I am so glad to see this day, it is not easy in Nigeria for someone to attain this age. If one crosses 55 years, one need to thank God.
“I joined this job in 1996 and I crossed many hurdles. It is only those that are hardworking who will triumph.
“Lagos is a unique state. If you are not hardworking in FRSC or any organisation you cannot be number one in Lagos.
“My ambition is to work, I do not lobby, I wait for God’s appointed time. Even when my colleague moved ahead of me in promotions, I said my appointed time would reach, and it came to pass,” he said.
Davou said he was posted to the North-East for eight years and came out victorious.
“From there, to Abuja, and then, I was sent to Lagos to head the zonal office and I did very well.
“When my boss retired, I was asked to take over.
“I told them in Lagos that I was here to work, and they must join me.
“When I joined, Lagos was in position three, and I told them that Lagos must be number one. Victoriously and gallantly, we came to number one,” he said.
Davou expressed hope that his successor would ensure that Lagos would retain the position, describing him as a hard worker.
He thanked all stakeholders for their support.
In his welcome address, Mr Lucas Oguntade, the sector command’s Head of Operations, described Davou as a man with abundant grace.
Oguntade said that Davou was always willing to give all to ensure effective discharge of duties.
“We are happy to associate with core commander Davou. From his first day in office, he changed the narrative of general operations in Lagos.
“He is leaving as the number one sector commander in the corps nationwide. He worked toward the actualisation of many things in the command, such as the new Hilux vehicle.
“We will continue to remember him for what he has done,” he said.
The Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area of Lagos, Mr Segun Odunbako, said that Davou dedicated his life to the sector command and Nigeria.
“For over 30 years, he stood as a pillar of integrity and courage.
“Retirement is not the end, it is a new beginning. As you embark on a new chapter, may you be filled with peace and joy in your new endeavours,” he said.
Mr Olusegun Akintan, Lagos State Coordinator of Special Marshals, described Davou as a good listener and hard worker.
“I pray that, as he goes today, the grace of God will go with him. God will compensate him for all his years of service,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Davou was born on Oct. 2, 1964, in Pumil Heipang, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau.
He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (2019) and an MBA (2022) from Gombe State University.
He joined FRSC on April 1, 1996, at the Abakaliki Unit Command, Ebonyi.
Davou was the 17th Lagos Sector Commander of FRSC and the first to serve consecutively as Zonal Head of Operations, Zonal Commanding Officer and Sector Commander in the same zone. (NAN)
