Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio
By Dianabasi Effiong
The Senate President, Sen. Godswill Akpabio says Nigeria stands at the threshold where it’s Police Force must not be seen merely as an arm of coercion, but as an engine of trust, justice and Public service
He made this known at the opening ceremony of the induction programme for Board members of the Police Service Commission (PSC) on Monday in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom.
The Senate President, who was represented by the Deputy President of the Senate, Dr. Barau Jibrin, was the Special Guest of Honour at the opening ceremony.
Akpabio charged the new members of the PSC Board to regard their new positions as a mandate to reform and a sacred trust to serve, rather than mere appointment.
Akpabio also noted that without a Police Force rooted in justice and trusted by the people, “the foundations of our democracy tremble, the peace we cherish grows fragile and the very fabric of our national life begins to fret.”
In a paper titled, “Building a Police Force that Works for All”, the Senate President reminded the new members that they were summoned to a duty as weighty as it was historic and therefore urged them to also “leave a mark; leave a legacy; and leave the system better than you met it”.
He said, “I invite you up beyond induction into introspection; beyond titles into tasks; beyond routine into reform.
“Our Police Force must no longer be seen merely as an arm of coercion, but as an engine of trust, justice and Public service.”
According to Akpabio the challenges before the Commission are “enormous – ranging from funding deficits, outdated training models and low morale, to the corrosive effects of corruption and the burden of Police distrust.”
He also told the new members that as light illuminated darkness, “this is your moment to be that light”.
A cross section of PSC Members at the induction ceremony.
One of the critical pillars of the PSC deliberations must be Policy direction, the Senate President said and urged the Commission “to adopt policies that reposition the Police as protectors, not predators; as community partners not isolated enforcers.
“On Institutional Reform, we must acknowledge that no system Reforms itself…on performance optimisation, it is time to introduce a reward system that recognises and uplifts those officers who embody the finest ideals of public service.”
The Senate President said the Senate recognised that no reform would endure without legislative partnership.
He also assured of the National Assembly’s readiness to review outdated laws, approve essential reforms and provide the robust oversight needed to ensure a professional, and people-oriented Police system.
There were goodwill messages from the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno; the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Amb. Ahmed Abdulhamid Mallam Madori; the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun and the Chairman, Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr. George Akume, in his message read on his behalf by the Permanent Secretary, General Services, Dr. Maurice Mberi, told the new Board that the Federal Government envisioned and supported a governance structure “where no individual acts in isolation.”
He added that the President Bola Tinubu’s administration had clearly reaffirmed the importance of upholding collective responsibility in the administration of Federal Executive Bodies.
The Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), in his opening remarks underscored the importance of the induction programme, adding that the Commission was now ready to get it right and build bridges of progress for the Nigeria of Police Force.
Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and member representing the Judiciary, in his welcome address said the programme was organised to acquaint the members of the Commisison with the activities of the Commission.
As the Induction programme continues April 29, he said, “it is the hope of all the new members including myself that at the end of the programme, we will be better equipped to carry out the oversight function over the Nigeria Police Force as assigned to us by the Constitution and other relevant statutes.”
