INTELLIGENCE & TRAFFIC SQUAD (I.T.S)
VISION
· Protection of parishioners’ valuable items during Church programmes.
· Control of traffic before, during and after every Church programme.
· Promote a secure environment within the Church premises especially during Church programmes
· To bring Christian fellowship to the doorsteps of members of the Squad through prayers, sharing of the Word of God, love and care amongst members of the Squad
MISSION
· To give peace of mind to true parishioners through provision of adequate security within the church environs during programmes.
· To eradicate impatience, fighting, quarrelling, and stealing amongst members over material things.
· To sustain orderliness respect and fear of God whenever parishioner come around the church premises for any church programme.
BRIEF HISTORY IN ST STEPHEN’S IGBOBI
Intelligence and traffic squad (I.T.S) is an arm of St. Stephen Anglican Church, Igbobi Lagos. It was founded by Sir Ozioma Amadi and inaugurated, inducted and empowered by Ven. Obinna Ulogwara, the then Vicar of the Church before the entire congregation of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in the year/ 2002.
I.T.S was born out of a situation of human and vehicular traffic chaos because of impatience, pride, respect for material things and disrespect for old age, human dignity and orderliness especially at the close of Church services, crusades, revival, etc. There were also cases of theft and vandalization of cars, loss of valuable items by parishioners, including influx of strange persons into the Church during Church progammes. These and more of such ugly experiences led to the formation of I.T.S. Our motto says all about our relevance; Service to God and to humanity.
Composition:
Ven. Obinna Ulgowara in a P.C.C. meeting appointed Sir Ozioma Amadi (who moved the motion and had the vision to arrest the situation described above as Pioneer Coordinator and charged him with the responsibility of selecting and training youths for the actualization of the vision. Hence twelve (12) youths all drawn from Anglican Youth Fellowship (AYF) were presented for inauguration and subsequently were also given intelligent and traffic management training. Currently, the squad has functional membership strength of about 13 members. The membership of the I.T.S is purely voluntary as led by the Holy Spirit.
Administration of I.T.S
The Squad has a wonderful administrative mechanism which includes:
· The Vicar of the church as the Spiritual Head (Chaplain) of the Squad.
· The Coordinator -appointed by the Chaplain in the PCC,
· The Executive Officers – elected and appointed by Squad members
· The Founder -adviser and members of the Squad
· There is also a Bye-law that guides the activities of the Squad
Office of the Coordinator:
Mr. Kingsley Njoku is the current coordinator of the Squad and a pioneer member of the Squad. He was appointed by Ven. Godwin Ikechukwu Onuoha in 2007 to replace Sir Ozioma Amadi when he was called to head Harvest Ministry of the Church. Mr. Kingsley Njoku’s leadership has been wonderful and I.T.S has witnessed tremendous unity and changes since his leadership.
The Executive Officers Of The I.T.S Includes:
1. Mr. Chikelu Izuakor – Assistant Coordinator
2. Mr. Iheanyi Ikechi – General Secretary
Anniversary Awards:
When I.T.S clocked 10years of service to God and mankind, Ambassadorial Awards were given to some parishioners for their support and encouragement to the Squad.
ROLE IN THE CHURCH
· Intelligence Service:
Under intelligence services, members are assigned to monitor human movement and acts within the premises of the Church. No wonder cases of theft, car vandalism, etc. have drastically reduced
· Traffic Management:
The Squad manages traffic around the premises of the Church during programmes They watch over members’ cars, provide parking space, park members cars orderly since almost all members of the Squad are professional drivers. The Squad keeps accurate custody of keys to cars parked under their care. Squad directs traffic and gives instruction to drivers. They also intervene in instances of quarrels, and fighting
· Security of Valuable Items:
The Squad also keep watch over parishioners’ valuable items especially items meant for thanksgiving during both services
· Watch Over Children:
The I. T.S checks the movement of kids and controls such movements
· Direction to Visitors:
The I.TS gives direction and advice to visitors to the Church during programmes especially visitors who accompany parishioners for thanksgiving and other programmes in the Church
· External Information:
The I.T.S acts as external eyes for the priest/ Vicar who during Church programmes is mostly confined to the Church auditorium So the I.T.S provides external situation report to the Vicar and the priests. The I.T.S and also other alerts belongings members of any external issues with their cars, children
· Recorded Incidents:
I.T.S on several occasions has apprehended thieves and pickpockets within the Church. Since the squad is a Christian organisation, we normally counsel and pray for them to repent, though with minor punishments. We do not prosecute
Good News and Blessing on I.T.S Members:
It will be noteworthy to testify that upon inauguration of I.TS, in 2002, all the pioneer members were bachelors except the founder Sir Ozioma Amadi. But today, almost all members are happily married, car owners, landlords, heads of other societies in the Church; various Awards recipients etc. To God be the glory, so come and serve God in I.T.S and be blessed.
Conclusion:
I.T.S has come to stay. It is indeed a true Christian Squad, all those ugly situations and experiences are almost things of the past. Parishioners are not afraid any more during Church progammes. Please come and worship God in His Majesty.