President Muhammadu Buhari and Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodinma were among the dignitaries who accepted the 21st Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba’s invitation to the conference and retreat for senior police officers, which was held recently at the Landmark Event Centre in Owerri, Imo State. The retreat, which was organized by Mr. Shina Philips, MD/CEO of Matchmakers Consult International, and had the theme “Importance of a Nigeria Police Strategic Plan for Peaceful Elections,” gave the police hierarchy the chance to strategize and craft practical solutions to strengthen both the country’s democracy and security architecture.
In addition to Mai Mala Buni, the governor of Yobe State, Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, the minister of police affairs, General Lucky Irabor, Lieutenant General Yahaya Farouk, General Samuel Adebayo, the chief of defense intelligence, Clara Ogunbiyi, the acting chairman of the police service commission (PSC), and the INEC chairman, the conference also included President Buhari as the Special Guest of Honor (SGOH) (Rtd). More than 162 senior officers from the levels of Deputy Inspectors General of Police and members of the Imo State House of Assembly were among the notable national and state authorities that attended the conference (DIG).
Buhari reaffirmed his commitment to a democratic governance.
Afterward, in his keynote speech, President Buhari reaffirmed his dedication to democratic administration and ideals, as well as to free, fair, credible, and peaceful elections. The police hierarchy was tasked by him to uphold the relevance of the police’s primacy in the country’s internal security architecture while being apolitical and devoted to the political ideals of the country. He claimed that in order to do this, his administration gave the force’s most important reforms top priority. In reference to some of the steps taken to do so, he stated that he approved the Nigerian Trust Fund Bill in order to establish a legal foundation for improved funding for the force.
In addition, he added, he signed the Nigeria Police Force Academy Bill to provide the institution formal status so it may carry with its cutting-edge programs for manpower development. In addition to approving and releasing funds to hire 10,000 police constables annually to fill the significant manpower deficit in the force, he also approved a new salary and welfare system. President Buhari reiterated his commitment to broad police reforms when he said the federal government was already collaborating with select development partners to advance the police reform agenda in an effort to reestablish the police as the primary provider of internal security.
The retreat would help discuss issues relating to the role of the police.
Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector General of Police, praised President Buhari for supporting and approving all of his demands to ensure the protection of people and property in the nation during his statements of welcome. In addition to reiterating the police’s commitment to guaranteeing a peaceful, secure, free, fair, and credible election in 2023, IGP Alkali Baba remarked that the retreat will give participants the opportunity to debate problems relevant to the role of the police and internal security procedures. He gave the President and the people of Nigeria the assurance that the force will use the outcomes of the conference to refine its election security strategy and action plans in an effort to stabilize the political and security environment in the nation.
While praising the police for hosting the retreat and conference in the state, Governor Hope Uzodinma remembered that the prior military program recently has justified that the state is completely safe. While reassuring the public that his administration will help the police moving forward, Uzodinma argued that providing officers with the necessary tools to conduct their jobs effectively was a sure-fire approach to reduce crime. The August event, according to him, was organized by the state to reassure both residents and visitors that Imo State is safe again for companies and tourism.
All candidates irrespective of their parties should take an oath.
While promising to uphold the friendly connection between his administration and the police, Gov. Uzodinma also suggested that all candidates for the elections in 2023, regardless of their party affiliation, take an oath to refrain from using violence during the election. Furthermore, he stressed that any candidate who was dissatisfied with how the election was conducted should file a lawsuit rather than resort to violence. Beyond this, the state has prioritized the welfare of its police. The governor has provided the maximum help possible to improve the state’s security infrastructure, from providing operational vehicles to introducing a policy that would guarantee the lives of Nigeria Police Force members in the state and enhancing their welfare.
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