By Eze Okechukwu, Abuja

The Federal Government has said that it is wholly committed to the transformation of the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies, emphasizing that modern policing mainly requires intelligence led strategies and community partnership.President Bola Tinubu made the remarks in an address read on his behalf by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio at the second edition of Police Award and Commendation ceremony held in Abuja midweek.

”My administration remains steadfast in its commitment to the transformation of the Nigeria Police Force and indeed transforming other security agencies.”We understand that modern policing demands modern tools, continuous training, intelligence-led strategies and community partnership.”We will continue to invest in the provision of cutting edge equipment, technological support, capacity building programmes and welfare schemes aimed at enhancing professional efficiency and boosting morale across the rank and file.”While the Federal government will continue to do its part, I must also charge every police officer regardless of rank or posting to uphold the sacred trust bestowed upon you by the Nigerian people.”Be reminded that the power you wield is not for intimidation but for protection. It is not for abuse but for service to your fatherland.”You must be guided by the highest standard of accountability and professionalism. Uphold the rule of law, protect the rights of every citizen and reject all forms of misconduct and corruption”To award recipients today, I congratulate you warmly. You have made the nation proud. You have made your families proud.”You have reminded us what is possible when duty meets dedication and when service is driven by honour but I urge you not rest on your laurels.”Let this recognition spur you to even greater heights. Let your example inspire others within the Force to emulate your discipline, your hard work, your professionalism and your integrity.”The ceremony is more than a moment of celebration. It is called renewed service. It is a call to every officer in the Nigeria Police Force to reflect on the values we must uphold and the future we must build together as Nigerians,” Tinubu said.Speaking for himself, Akpabio however announced a personal donation of five million naira to the family of one of the awardees, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aniedi Cecilia Udoh, who died in active service in May this year.Udoh who hailed from Akwa Ibom State was until her death, the Area Commander Ahoada, Rivers State Command and was awarded Community Policing Advocate of the Year 2024.Akpabio also recalled his passion for the Nigeria Police when, as Governor of Akwa Ibom State, he presented the Police with 350 Jeeps, fitted with communication equipment, four armoured Personnel Carriers and some platforms for the Marine Police.He also said that he built a Police Mopol Base and Police Secondary School at no cost to the police and as Senate President; he has completed 10 Police Stations in his Senatorial District.”I’m not tired of doing things for the Police. As Senate President, just to assure you on behalf of the National Assembly that we will stop at nothing to appropriate the requisite funds for the Police to improve not just the welfare but also the strength of its personnel in order to be able to police Nigeria,” Akpabio said.In his welcome remarks, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun said the transformation of the Nigeria Police Force is not a slogan.Rather, he said, the transformation “is a daily commitment and you the Nigerian people are our most important partner in that journey. This occasion is not about laurels alone. It is about legacy. It reminds us that the business of policing is not transactional. It is transformational.”

From Joseph Ebi Kanjo, Benin

No fewer than 1,472 members of the newly reorganised Edo State Security Corps have completed their two weeks training and deployed across the state to tackle the rising insecurity.Speaking at the passing out parade held at the Edo State National Orientation Camp (NYSC) in Okada, Ovia North East Local Government Area, Governor Monday Okpebholo urged them to embrace professionalism and collaborate with security agencies to fight criminality in the state.

Represented by his deputy, Hon. Dannis Idahosa, Okpebholo said the activities of the former Corps were politicized and lacked professionalism, hence the decision to reorganize and restructure the Corps.”Regrettably, activities of the former Corps were politicized, and it lacked professionalism. Hence, I decided to reorganize and restructure the Corps to meet set objectives,” he said.He commended the Nigerian Army for training the Corps, demonstrating the government’s seriousness in combating criminality and making the state safe for all.According to the governor, security is one of the key elements of his administration’s five-point agenda.He noted that the State Government established the Edo State Security Corps, backed by the Edo State Security Corps Governance Law 2024, to assist the police in intelligence gathering and low-level operations to combat crime.The governor expressed his administration’s concern over security challenges in the state, noting that existing security agencies were over-stretched. He said the Edo State Security Corps was established to provide support to the police and other sister security agencies.The governor said his administration has established a management board to oversee the affairs of the Corps to promote discipline and welfare.”We expect a high level of discipline and performance during and after the rigorous training,” he said.The governor also noted that the activities of the Corps would be highly monitored, and profiling is ongoing to identify those who are fit to serve in the Corps.The Chairman of the reorganizing committee of Edo State Security Corps, Gen. Cecil Esekhaigbe (rtd), represented by Major Gen. Victor Ebhaleme (rtd) said the organization and training of the Corps is to ensure they are more effective and efficient in the performance of their duties.”The training commenced on the 22nd of May 2025, and personnel recruited were drawn from 13 local government areas which cut across the three Senatorial Districts of Edo State,” he said.Gen. Esekhaigbe added that the Corps is not trained to operate alone but to support other sister security agencies, ensuring peace in the state.

By Laide Akinboade, Anima

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike on Thursday said one of the greatest challenges confronting Nigeria is self-serving leadership conspiracies that have little or nothing to do with national interests and development.Wike stated this in the 2025 Distinguish Personality Lecture, titled, “The Nigeria of our Dreams” organized held at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

The country needs leaders like President Bola Tinubu to achieve the “Nigeria of our dreams”. He agreed with Chinua Achebe, whose seminar, ‘The Trouble with Nigeria’, graphically captured the challenge, when he stated that ‘the trouble with Nigeria is fairly and squarely the absence of proper leadership’.“This statement, damaging as it may appear, is extremely difficult to controvert.“Our leaders have, in the main, emerged through self-serving conspiracies that have little or nothing to do with national interests and development.“This has been the case in both military and civilian contexts,” he said.He, however, said that Tinubu had stood out as the leader the people need to drive Nigeria to progress and prosperity.He explained that Nigeria needs a leader that was prepared to lead with sound character and resilience in the face of challenges.He added that the leader must also be a person who believes in the infinite possibilities that the Nigerian nation exemplifies, while taking solid, proactive, logical and well-informed decisions that would maximally actualise her potential.This leader, he said, must have the courage and audacity to act, build, innovate and generally expand the frontiers of development with a hands-on approach that would emphasise excellence over mediocrity.He added that more importantly, the leader of Nigerians’ dream must create a society of free and responsible citizens whose potentials flow freely and free enterprise thrives.He also said that Tinubu has demonstrated a rare courage by removing fuel subsidy on his first day, upon being sworn in as President.According to him, leaders before him all spoke about the evil of fuel subsidy, but none had the courage to dare the blackmail of removing it.On security, Wike said that the situation was being addressed through proper funding and the training and retraining of security forces.The minister added that Tinubu’s approval for the recruitment of forest guards across the country to take charge of the nation’s forests, bandits and terrorists would no longer find incubation points and free territories to operate.Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun, described Wike as a straightforward politician, adding that his wealth of political experience and leadership style was exemplary.Represented by the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, the governor said that the minister’s infrastructural transformation in the FCT was visionary.Also, the Vice-Chancellor of the university Prof. Adebayo Bamire, said that the theme of the lecture, ‘’Nigeria of our Dream” was timely and thought-provoking.The Royal Father of the Day, Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Ogunwusi, said he has deep respect for Wike because of his fearlessness.He described the minister as an “upright politician” who “said things as they are.“Hate him; like him – what will be will be.”