Eleven governors have been selected for the Institute of Security and Strategic Studies (ISSS)’s Excellence Award.

The Registrar of the Institute, Dr Sunday Idakwoji, in a statement on Friday in Abuja, said the award would be presented to the governors on Nov. 23.

The award for Best Governor on Security and Humanitarian Services of the Year, he said, will be bestowed on Gov.

Babagana Zulum of Borno for his exceptional leadership and innovative strategies in improving security and providing humanitarian aid in one of Nigeria’s most challenging regions.

According to him, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa will be honoured for his dedication to maintaining peace and security while implementing comprehensive humanitarian initiatives to support vulnerable communities.

Idakwoji said that Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina State would be recognised as the Best Governor on Collective Security Advocate of the Year for his proactive stance on collective security measures and his efforts to foster collaboration among various security agencies to combat crime and ensure the safety of citizens.

Other governors to receive the award are; Governors Ahmad Aliu of Sokoto State, BabaJide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra, Dapo Abiodun, of Ogun, Biodun Oyebanji of  Ekiti State, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, Ademola Adeleke of Osun and Siminilaye Fubara of Rivers.

Idakwoji said the institute had in 10 years of its existence been at the forefront of providing robust academic and practical education, fostering excellence in security standards, knowledge, and cooperation within the African region and globally.

He said the mission was to prepare students for the complex challenges of today’s world through meticulous training and innovative techniques, facilitating excellence in education and research, as well as forging lasting security partnerships across nations and cultures.

The registrar said the awards were aimed at recognising, honor individuals and organisations that had made significant contributions towards building a robust security architecture and strategic development in Nigeria and beyond.

He added that some serving ministers would also be recognised for their outstanding performance among other several individuals, defense and security services and corporate entities.

“Join us in celebrating these outstanding individuals and organizations that have demonstrated excellence and commitment to enhancing security and strategic development in Nigeria.

“The awards ceremony promises to be a night of recognition, celebration, and inspiration,” the registrar said.  (NAN)

Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue has signed an Executive Order establishing the Department of Public Order in the Ministry of Justice to coordinate government policies and matters relating to public order.

Performing the ceremony on Friday in Makurdi, Alia said the order was in pursuant of section 14 sub-section (2) of the 1999 constitution and section 10 of the Public Order Act, CAP 382 of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

He said he inherited a state characterised by widespread criminality and political violence such as kidnappings, murders, intimidation against targeted groups or individuals leading to emergence of local war lords and militia groups.

Represented by the Deputy Governor, Sam Ode, Alia said that those who breach the public rules would pay fines between N20,000 and N500,000 or be imprisoned, depending on the gravity of the offence.

He said the order prohibits all acts of violence, disobedience, lawlessness, and called for strict adherence to it.

“Apart from the grave state of insecurity highlighted above, my administration inherited indiscipline and disorderly public conducts which had been accepted by many citizens as norms, rather than aberrations.

“Incidences of disobedience to traffic light, wrong parking of cars, indiscriminate disposal of waste, loitering at late hour, will all attract penalties,” he said

Justifying the signing of the executive order, Alia said the act was to assist in maintaining law and order in the state.

He said the state was facing several security issues and needed to adopt her own measures in collaboration with security agencies and stakeholders to have a peaceful and harmonious home for all.

“Public order, as you know, is no doubt within the domain of the security agencies and law enforcement agencies which make up the criminal justice system in our country,” he pointed out.

Alia said the executive order reaffirms government’s stand against crime and against disorder.

”We are sending a clear message to those who seek to destroy the peace and harmony of our state.

“We will not tolerate violence, vandalismand any form criminal behaviour in the State,” he warned.

He announced the establishment of a Public Order Advisory Committee with the mandate to advise government on policies, restoration, attainment, preservation and maintenance of Public Order and safety in the state.

He said a Public Order Committee had been established to operate in all the local government areas by collaborating with the advisory committee and other stakeholders for the enforcement of the prescribed public order laws.

Earlier, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and Public Order, Mr Fidelis Mnyim, had said that all over the world, there is a law where there is order.

Mnyim explained that the observance of law always go together with public order which is the core responsibility of all governments.

“The duty and responsibility of government is for the protection of lives and property which manifests by way of observance of law and order.

“Section 10 of the public order act has permitted the governor to make such orders.

”Some of the issues that you may see in the public order are in the realm of morality, but, like I said, the section has permitted the governor to do that,” he said.

NAN reports that the order also prohibited extorting money from developers, building on water channels or structures, kiosks, shanties on the right of way, hawking or selling of goods of any kind by the road side.

NAN also reports that the order also prohibits farming on empty unfenced plots of land or in front of any premises or on the street, or by the road side within urban areas.

It also forbids farming on undeveloped areas of Government Offices, Quarters or reserved areas.

It said rallies, wakes and other forms of public gatherings should not hold beyond the hours of 10:pm.

It insisted that any person or group wishing to hold gathering beyond 10 p.m. must seek and obtain permit from the Department of Public Order at the Ministry of Justice.(NAN)

The Police Command in Adamawa has confirmed the abduction of Usman Sahabi, the Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Adamawa House of Assembly.

Sahabi, a journalist with the Adamawa Broadcasting Cooperation, Yola, was on secondment to the house.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Suleiman Nguroje, confirmed the incident in Yola on Thursday.

Nguroje gave assurance that the command would leave no stone unturned to rescue the victim unhurt.

“Sahabi was kidnapped at gunpoint by unknown gunmen at about 1 am on Thursday in his resident at Wuro-chekke, Yola South Local Government Area,” he said.

Nguroje said that the command was doing everything possible to rescue him alive and also arrest the culprits.

“We have already deployed our personnel to swing into action immediately for his rescue.

“We are also soliciting collaboration with the public to provide us with useful information,’’ he said.

Nguroje promised financial reward for whoever that would provide the command with useful information that could lead to the victim’s rescue.

NAN reports that earlier, the state Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalist had condemned the incident and solicited prayers for the victim’s safe return.

The council’s Vice Chairman, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the union quickly reported the incident to the security agencies for their intervention.

Ibrahim sympathised with the victim’s family, loved ones and members of the union over the sad incident. (NAN)