Tinubu declares 7 April nationwide police day

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has recognized full overhaul of institutional mentality and reminiscence of cops as basic in his administration’s ongoing bid to remodel the Nigeria Police Drive (NPF) into a contemporary, skilled and accountable establishment.

This, he mentioned, explains why since approaching board final yr, his administration has initiated wide-ranging reforms to revitalise the power.

The president who spoke on Monday evening throughout the maiden version of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations ceremony at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja, pressured the necessity to have interaction women and men of the power in coaching and capacity-building to equip them with the experience required to hold out the arduous job of contemporary policing.

President Tinubu, who was represented on the occasion by Vice President Kashim Shettima, defined why the federal authorities accepted the primary week of April as police week and the final day of the week as Nationwide Police Day.

“Distinguished women and gents, in our custom of honouring the police power within the lifetime of this nice nation, we now have accepted the adoption of the primary week of April as Police Week. Moreover, the final day of the week, the seventh of April, is hereby declared Nationwide Police Day in Nigeria.

“Tonight, I need to remind you that we don’t see you as simply the shields of the nation. We don’t see you as robots. This is the reason we’re right here. We’re right here to humanise you,” he declared.

Delivering the president’s speech titled, “Braveness Beneath Fireplace: A Bouquet for Our Police Drive,” VP Shettima mentioned at a time in Nigeria’s historical past when the nation’s safety structure is being stretched past elastic limits, the residents have been capable of endure within the face of safety threats in addition to assaults on their lives and livelihoods as a result of dedication of the police.

“Your exemplary valour doesn’t solely signify the top of patriotism that binds us but additionally instils confidence that brighter days lie simply past the horizon,” President Tinubu added.

He famous that his administration had been unequivocal about its resolve to remodel the Nigeria Police Drive into “a contemporary, skilled, and accountable establishment that mirrors the aspirations and values” of the nation.

The president continued: “Our thought of a contemporary police power goes past superficial adjustments like repainting workplace buildings and residences or just procuring firearms. True reform of our safety doctrine and its structure necessitates recognising the significance of administering justice and adhering to our moral values to foster stability and order within the nation.

“The transformation we search should transcend mere coverage and infrastructure; it requires a basic overhaul of our institutional mentality and reminiscence.”

President Tinubu listed a part of the excellent reforms by his administration to rejuvenate the police power to incorporate funding in coaching and capacity-building.

He mentioned this can make sure that cops are outfitted with the information, expertise, values, and experience required to sort out the advanced challenges of contemporary policing, assuring that the federal government will improve gear and know-how to boost operational effectiveness and effectivity of the power.

“This consists of buying fit-for-purpose gear, weapons, ammunition, and armoured carriers to offer cowl and safety for officers in fight conditions. These endeavours might be supported by appropriate measures to boost the standing of our officers and personnel each throughout their service and after retirement,” he additional acknowledged.

In his goodwill message, President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, recommended the Inspector Common of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, for recognising the hardwork, resilience and patriotism of the officers and males of the police power.

Expressing his delight and that of the Nationwide Meeting for celebrating the well-deserved officers of the power, the senate president mentioned the choice to have fun the nation’s unsung heroes will pave method for a brand new police power within the nation.

“The management of the police understands the function of police power in a democratic dispensation. I commend the Inspector Common of Police and I commend the cops for the work of sacrifice and for sustaining peace and order in our communities.

“As we commend the great officers, allow us to weed out the dangerous ones among the many police power,” Mr Akpabio acknowledged, including that to whom a lot is given, a lot is predicted.

Earlier in his welcome handle, Mr Egbetokun applauded President Tinubu for his assist to the power, in addition to his administration efforts in making certain the nation’s safety forces are as much as thier sport.

To the recipients of the awards and commendations, the IGP assured them that their “dedication, braveness and selflessness are really inspiring,” including that their contributions to the power might be remembered for a few years to return.

On his half, Chairman of the Police Service Fee and former IGP, Solomon Arase, advocated improved welfare package deal for women and men of the Nigeria Police Drive, noting that enhanced wellbeing of the personnel would enhance their total efficiency in securing lives and property.

He recommended the Tinubu administration for the assist up to now given to the police power, whilst he pledged the cooperation of the Police Service Fee for the transformation of the power.

Those that additionally delivered goodwill messages had been Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf; Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Gaidam; Chief of Defence Employees Christopher Musa; and former IGP Sunday Ehindero.

Different dignitaries current on the occasion embrace Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau; Minister of State, Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Abdulhamid Madori, and Chairman, Home Committee on Police Affairs, Makki Yalleman.

Others are Chief of Military Employees, Taoreed Lagbaja; former IGP Mike Okiro; former IGP Baba Alkali, and the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, amongst others.

Stanley Nkwocha
Senior Particular Assistant to The President on Media & Communications
(Workplace of The Vice President)
fifteenth April, 2024