President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Police Agenda is palpable ; says Police Affairs Minister.
Minister of State for Police Affairs
Hon Imaan Sulaiman- Ibrahim has asserted that the implementation of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Police Agenda in with Security at the centre of the eight ( 8 ) priorities has taken off.
She spoke in Umuahia Abia state capital Thursday at the ‘Citizen Town- hall Engagement on Strengthening Policing in Nigeria’ saying that at the heart of this Police Agenda ” is the implementation of a community policing strategy that is designed based on local peculiarities and considerations, with the full participation of members of the various communities and stakeholder blocks, to ensure inclusivity and full ownership.
” Our collective goal is to see to the emergence of a world-class police force that is inclusive, intelligence-led, technology-driven, community-based and alive to its constitutional responsibilities and I am therefore confident and can assure that the Nigeria Police Force will live up to its responsibilities”.
She announced six foundational pillars that serve as strategic frameworks crafted to redefine and strengthen the Nigeria Police Force saying that more can be gathered from multiple perspectives and experiences.
The pillars she listed are; effecting Technical and Operational Excellence through harnessing cutting-edge technology and refined operational protocols to elevate the capabilities of Police Personnel hence our capabilities in sectoral policing, such as Air, Marine, Transport, and Border management, must be enhanced.
Others are , Infrastructure Advancement and Personnel Welfare Enhancement , Policy Framework Development, Community Policing, Establishing collaborative partnerships and Re-branding, Strategic Communication, and Public Trust Management.
” We have initiated a strategic branding campaign to cultivate a positive and contemporary image for the Nigeria Police Force ( NPF ) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development, we have commenced the process of launching the “Young and Secure Initiative”, which is aimed at enhancing the collaboration between the youth and the police towards strengthening National Security”.
According to the minister, hence Abia is renowned for its commerce and industry, making it a focal point for trade across the Southeast and beyond, this economic vibrancy, also presents specific security challenges, particularly in the areas of business-related crimes.
” Additionally, the state’s strategic location along key transit routes adds another layer of complexity, as it necessitates robust measures to address issues such as road safety, smuggling, and the protection of critical infrastructure, adding that despite these challenges, Abia State has consistently shown resilience hence the need to help strengthen it further.
She commended the Abia state governor Dr Alex Otti for his transformative vision in steering Abia State into an era of commendable progress, the Inspector General of Police and his team for their professionalism and commitment to the full implementation of the Police Act 2020, particularly as it relates to community policing, and the implementation of key reforms within the policing ecosystem including the collaborative efforts of all other security agencies.
Others she gave kudos to, included the traditional Council, local governments, Police Community Relations Committee, members of the State Security Council, and other critical stakeholders that have played roles in advancing the collective security agenda of Abia State.
More specifically, the Minister of State further disclosed that the federal government is undertaking a comprehensive standardization, upgrading and modernization of Police Stations, Barracks, Police Training Schools, and other physical infrastructure of the Nigeria Police Force as a core focus.
The goal she added, is to ensure that the NPF has the requisite infrastructure to foster operational efficiency
” We are currently developing a National Policing Policy, supporting operational protocols and frameworks to serve as the backbone of the entire law enforcement apparatus to rebuild public trust and ensure the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.
“We will also be having a narrow focus on the holistic well-being of our officers by implementing comprehensive support systems, including but not limited to healthcare measures, pension administration, retirement benefits, housing, remuneration, and work tools and gears with the aim to bolster the physical, mental, psychological, and financial health of our dedicated personnel”.
Noting however, that security is local and begins at home, she emphasized the need for the nation to, imperatively acknowledge and embrace the unique dynamics of each community in its pursuit of a safer nation, declaring that this Town hall meeting was therefore part of an extensive series of Town Hall engagements across the country to catalyze a grassroot understanding of security dynamics and foster community-specific solutions
She consequently expressed optimism that ” the Renewed Hope Police Agenda will ensure that the police force is strategically positioned to fulfil its mandate.
