HOM

By Ebinum Samuel

The Police Service Commission 3 – day Board induction/Strategic Management Session for its newly appointed Board Members holds in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State, from Monday, April 28th to Wednesday April 30th 2025. The ceremony which holds at the Four Points by Sheraton Ikot Ekpene, will provide a platform to engage critical Stakeholders on strategies for Strenghtening the institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police Force and deepening accountability in law enforcement governance. Special Guest of Honour is the Senate President, His Excellency, Distinguished Senator Godswil Akpabio, GCON.

Other Very Important Personalities including Members of the National Assembly; State Governors, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the National Security Adviser, the Hon Minister of Police Affairs, the Inspector General of Police, traditional Rulers, eminent Resource Persons are expected to grace the occasion to greatly enrich the deliberations and underscore the commitment of sub-national governments to national security Reform and collaborations with oversight institutions. Papers to be delivered by seasoned technocrats will provide valuable guidance to the Commission’s Board Members as they commence their tenure and strategic responsibilities. The induction and the papers to be presented will contribute expertise to what promises to be a pivotal moment in shaping the future of Policing oversight and governance in Nigeria.

According to Ikechukwu Ani, the Commission’s image maker, the Chairman , DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, will lead the Board Members and Secretary to the Commission to the three day ceremony.The event is also aimed at familiarizing the new appointees with their roles in overseeing police operations, promoting accountability, and driving reforms within the Nigeria Police Force.Stakeholders from across the country are attending the induction, which is expected to equip the board with strategic tools to improve policing standards and public trust in law enforcement.Chairman of the Commission, DIG Argungu said the induction is coming at a time the Commission needs more impetus in the discharge of its constitutional oversight mandate.He said the new Board Members are expected to leave Ikot Ekpene rejuvenated to execute its challenging constitutional mandate of recruitment, promotion, dismissal and disciplinary control over Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force.

By Ebinum Samuel

A former Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has officially declared his intention to contest in the 2027 gubernatorial election in Nasarawa State under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).Adamu made his declaration on Wednesday during a meeting with members of the State Working Committee of the APC held in Lafia, the state capital.

Speaking at the gathering, the former police chief said his decision was driven by a “clarion call” from the people of Nasarawa who, according to him, believe in his leadership capabilities and experience.

He pledged to run an all-inclusive and people-oriented administration if elected as governor.“I am answering the call of my people who believe I can serve and move Nasarawa forward.“My administration, by the grace of God, will be inclusive, transparent, and focused on delivering tangible development across all sectors,” Adamu stated.His declaration adds a significant name to the growing list of aspirants eyeing the governorship seat as the 2027 elections approach.

By Ayo Oyoze Baje

Quote ” Some praise in the morning What they blame at night But always think the last opinion is right”-Alexander Pope

It is a crying shame, to put it bluntly that while the fertile fields of the country called Nigeria, especially Benue, Plateau, Bauchi, Borno down to Edo and Ondo states are bleeding daily from the persisting onslaught of the so called armed herdsmen, bandits, Boko Haram terrorists and ISWAP insurgents, wantonly wasting innocent lives, what keeps dominating our public space are the antics and gimmicks of our political predators to hang on to power, come 2027.

That is while millions of the citizens cannot go to bed boasting of three square meals for the day, or their two eyes closed as the cost of living has skyrocketed far beyond the quivering palms of the common man. But do they really care about us? That is the million – naira question, as the late pop music icon, Michael Jackson would ask.The bitter truth is that they do not care a hoot. Were it not so, how do you juxtapose the news headlines literally screaming virtually on daily basis. Let us take a look at a few of such. “Bode George slams defectors” as the long-term chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP expresses utmost dismay and deep disappointment over the news of five state governors elected on the platform of the party scheming to cross carpet to the ruling All Progressive Congress, APC.

Beyond calling it a “rudderless” action, he is asking them how much was paid them to have taken such a decision?But before you cry foul, the latest piece of news is that the governor of Delta state, Sheriff Oborevwori has defected to the all-conquering APC. Yet, he did not go alone. Moving along with him is one of his predecessors, the former governor of the same Delta state, Ifeanyi Okowa who, incidentally was the Vice Presidential candidate to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the 2023 general elections.Talk about political dynamics and you have it here. In fact, so serious is the current dismal descent of the PDP that the former Secretary of the Federal Government, Babachir Lawal denigrated it describing it as an ” incurable virus” that will not be considered as part of the coalition against the Tinubu-led administration.

It should therefore, be obvious to discerning minds that the PDP house is finally falling as yours truly had predicted back in 2013. Mind you, one is not talking about the acclaimed hatchet – job of clipping the wings of the PDP by the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Nyesom Wike and the unconstitutional suspension of his successor, Simi Fubara of Rivers state. What is of serious concern is that of having a one-party state, or riding roughshod over all manner of opposition and eventually making Tinubu the be – all and the end- all to the political structures here in Nigeria.

There comes in the growing influence of the Social Democratic Party, SDP with the former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai acting as the catalyst.In spite of the claim by some disgruntled members of the SDP in Kaduna state that el-Rufai was not speaking for the party and was not even a recognized member, both the National Publicity Secretary of the SDP, Rufus Aiyenigbs and the National Chairman, Shehu Gabam have denied such. They insist that el-Rufai has indeed been fully welcome to the party and is considered one of their respected members.

What is of significance therefore, is the need for a credible opposition to APC ahead of the much anticipated 2027 general elections, as the current crop of political helmsmen are displaying the distasteful ogre of chasing the shadows of hanging unto power at the expense of providing good leadership. Like it or not, Nigerians deserve a governance driven by pro-people policies.

That is one that would guarantee their safety and security, provide for their welfare and make the cost of living affordable. Such should be in line with the primary purpose of government, which is enshrined in Section 14 Sub-Section (2)(b) of the 1999 constitution as amended. That is instead of the set of leadership not matching its mandate and yet self-beating about its achievements without listening to the cries of the led majority and outrightly condemning all forms of criticisms. Should governance not be skewed in favour of the majority of the people instead of kowtowing to the whims and caprices of the favored few political leaders and their largely mesmerized apologists?

As highlighted by yours truly in 2017 while raising warnings on the ease of the politicians’ easy defection there are important questions for them to answer: ” In the light of the persistent rot in the polity, did you or did you not in any way contribute to the failings of your erstwhile party? Are you dumping PDP on principle, and in all honesty to serve this country without the apparatus of office, or for self aggrandizement? Are you jumping ship because you do not want a new face in Aso Rock or joining the bandwagon to be seen as a progressive? Indeed, what makes you a ‘progressive'”? Lest we forget defection is not new in Nigeria’s political landscape.

But it should always be done in the national interest for the overall wellbeing of the larger majority of the people.For instance, from the historical perspective soon after the federal elections in December,1959 the then Northern People’s Congress, NPC with 150 seats and 2,270,294 votes formed a coalition with the NCNC which had 90 seats and 1,986,839 votes. The Action Group,AG which had 72 seats with less votes formed the opposition. Subsequently, in 1962 the NPC and NCNC used its merger to abet the right wing dissidents in the AG led by Chief Samuel Akintola and Ayo Rosiji to break away from the party and take over the Western Nigerian government.

This followed the disclosure of financial mismanagement in six public corporations by the AG regional government. The rest as they say rests with history. But can such happen this day with the prevalence of political intimidation to the opposition? The answer, hangs in the wind.But Nigerians need to be reminded that a one-party state will worsen the insecurity conundrum, exacerbate the economic hardship with the attendant job losses and gradually take Nigeria to the precipice. God forbid!

Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has explained that the recent curfew imposed on the movement of motorcycles and tricycles in Minna is a proactive step to stem rising violence and insecurity in the state capital.

The governor had on Tuesday announced a dusk-to-dawn curfew on motorcyclists and tricyclists in the metropolis.In a statement on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso., Bago explained that the move was not to punish law-abiding residents but a drastic measure to stem rising violence in the city.He noted that Minna has in recent days witnessed alarming incidents of violence, resulting in the loss of several lives, largely attributed to the activities of miscreants.Bago emphasised that the curfew is not designed to punish law-abiding residents but to disrupt the operations of criminal elements exploiting motorcycles and tricycles—popularly known as keke NAPEP—to commit crimes and evade arrest.“

The Niger State Government has reassured citizens that the recently imposed curfew on motorcycles and tricycles is not intended to punish law-abiding citizens. Rather, it is a proactive and urgent measure to address the growing insecurity that has afflicted parts of the state capital in recent days,” the statement read. According to the governor, the criminal elements, often aged between 13 and 22, operate in a manner similar to cult groups.They use the mobility afforded by motorcycles and tricycles to swiftly move between different parts of Minna, committing crimes and escaping law enforcement.“If these boys are not restricted, they can carry out criminal activities in one part of town and vanish into another within minutes.

Their swift mobility not only makes arrests difficult but also enables the rapid spread of their operations,” Bago said.He stressed that while the restriction may inconvenience residents and disrupt local commerce, it is a necessary sacrifice to restore peace and safeguard lives and property.“The safety of lives and property remains the topmost priority of this administration,” he affirmed.

By Ebinum Samuel

The Inspector General of Police IGP Kayode Egbetokun, represented by the AIG Zone 5 Benin city, AIG Salman-Dogo Garba,Tuesday, launched safe school protection squad in Delta State and organised a two day stakeholders forum on the security of schools in Delta State and training of the schools protection squad with the team strengthening security resilience and integration of host communities in the protection of education.

According to SP Bright Edafe, the Command spokesman, during the two-day stakeholders forum which ends today, resource persons from the educational sector, ICT, and security experts delivered power-packed lectures to the amusement of stakeholders.The event was graced by top dignitaries, including the Governor of Delta State Rt (Hon) Elder Sheriff Oborevwori, represented by the Secretary to State Government, Dr. Kingsley Emu, the Chairman Delta State Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Maj. Gen. Felix Mujakperuo (Rtd.), CFR, mni, the Orodje of Okpe Kingdom, represented by the second vice Delta state council of traditional rulers, HRM Obi of Obulunor.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, in his remarks, described the squad as the heart of the safe school initiative, noting that the team comprises officers specially trained and equipped to safeguard learning institutions and respond swiftly to distress or threats that may arise.The Coordinator CP Abayomi Shogunle PhD, in his remarks stated that in recent years Nigeria was faced with security challenges such as kidnapping, murder and other related crimes, which included destruction of school facilities, that sometimes led to closure of schools and also increased numbers of out-of-school children.

He also noted that the Nigerian government in the December 2019 formally signed the Safe School Declaration document, which signalled the country’s commitment to a safer school environment. He concluded by saying that the right to education is central to social and economic progress, and investment in education is an investment in Human capital development.The SSG who represented the Governor of Delta State commended the Police for the initiative to organize this stakeholders forum and stated further that he was impressed by the determination of the Inspector General of Police to keep schools safe.The safe school protection command and control centre is domiciled at force headquarters with a 24-hour call number (08077357777) where citizens can call in cases of school emergency in any part of the country.

Ebinum Samuel

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has said the push for drug integrity test for youth corps members, prospective couples and others is not punitive but to discourage substance abuse and provide early treatment for those who test positive before their condition degenerate to drug dependence and other health challenges.

Marwa stated this during a meeting with the Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brig Gen Olakunle Oluseye Nafiu who led top officials of NYSC on a courtesy visit to the NDLEA headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday 23rd April 2025. He congratulated the NYSC boss on his recent appointment while he described the scheme as a national treasure and a veritable instrument of national unity.
According to the NDLEA boss, “the drug scourge has continued to devastate our kids, families, communities, everywhere, there’s nowhere you go in the country that you don’t have a drug abuse problem. One in seven Nigerians between the ages of 15 and 64, use drugs. You have mentioned our efforts to cut off access and availability of these drugs but beyond that we have to work with all stakeholders including NYSC to ensure drastic reduction in the demand for drugs by our youths and one of our strategies to address this is through our drug integrity test, which we’re advocating that NYSC should embrace for corps members.

“As I said, while we do the drug supply reduction, we also do drug demand reduction through preventive measures, as well as counseling and rehabilitation. Now, these are important areas for further collaboration. You have introduced in the camps, the war against drug abuse clubs, which is fantastic. One other important area of collaboration is
the question of drug integrity tests for youth corps members. It’s a major drug demand reduction effort. The same way we said, if you are getting married, both the bride and the groom, should bring a drug free certificate. This is because it is always better to detect drug use early before it gets to addiction which eventually could get to psychiatric problems and it becomes a danger to the user and the society.”
He said another area of collaboration is the posting of a sizeable number of corps members who studied Guidance and Counselling, Psychology, Nursing and Psychiatry to NDLEA Counselling and Treatment Centres across the country as their place of primary assignment during their one-year national service. He said this will enable the corps members acquire knowledge and experience in rehabilitation and psychosocial services.

In his response, the NYSC DG described the drug integrity test as a fantastic idea while he promised to study the NDLEA proposal for possible collaboration. He assured that the scheme will develop a general guideline to post as many corps members with required qualifications to NDLEA Commands with Counselling and Treatment Centres across the country.
While appreciating Marwa for the giant strides NDLEA has recorded under his leadership, he noted the existing partnership between the Agency and the NYSC, which he said his visit was to seek further means to deepen and strengthen the collaboration