AT POLICE STRATEGIC CONFERENCE: President Tinubu Insists On Inter-agency Synergy To Contain Insecurity

** Says only a stable internal security can foster Nigeria’s economic growth

By: Our Reporter

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has again called for synergy and cooperation among security agencies to deal a final blow to what is left of terror attacks, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality in Nigeria.

To this effect, he restated his administration’s resolve to improve the institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and position the force to actualise its inherent mandate as the frontline agency in internal security.

President Tinubu gave the charge on Monday in Abeokuta when he officially declared open the fifth annual Strategic Security Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers held in the Ogun State capital.

The President who was represented at the event by his deputy, Vice President Kashim Shettima, implored the conferees to hinge a significant portion of their discussions on strategies for multi-agency collaboration.

“During my visit to the Office of the National Security Adviser and the National Counter Terrorism Centre in Abuja, I stressed the importance of inter-agency cooperation in tackling security challenges.

“Synergy among all security agencies is vital to eliminating banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery, and other forms of criminality. Please dedicate a significant portion of your deliberations to advancing strategies for multi-agency collaboration,” he stated.

The timing of the retreat, according to the Nigerian leader, is crucial in advancing his administration’s goals, just as the theme of the conference, “Improving Nigeria’s Internal Security and Economic Prosperity Through Inclusive Policing,” aligns seamlessly with the core objectives of the administration.

He however observed that while one of the administration’s objectives is to take advantage of the nation’s human and natural resources to foster economic growth, the vision cannot be attained until the county’s internal security becomes stable.

“We are committed to fostering economic growth by leveraging the vast potential of our human and natural resources. However, this vision is unattainable without a stable internal security landscape and strong stakeholder collaboration,” the President noted.

President Tinubu pointed out that since it came on board in 2023, his administration had “embarked on bold and decisive reforms to address the deep-rooted challenges stemming from years of mismanagement and neglect”.

He listed the impact of some of the reforms in various sectors including internal security, food security, unemployment, inflation, and infrastructure, acknowledging that they may have been quite challenging at the onset.

Noting that the reforms are vital to realigning Nigeria with the vision of its founding fathers, the President said, “We have introduced reforms to restore investor confidence, stabilise the macroeconomic environment, and reduce inflation.

“We are also taking firm measures to instil fiscal discipline, stabilise the foreign exchange market, and eliminate financial leakages by removing fuel and electricity subsidies. These efforts free up critical budgetary resources, enabling us to address long-standing infrastructure deficits.

“We are investing in roads, railways, and energy projects through public-private partnerships, which will lower transportation costs, expand market access, boost productivity, and create much-needed jobs.”

Mindful of the fundamentals of creating an environment where businesses and investments flourish, President Tinubu said his administration has opted for strengthening the nation’s security agencies and their operational capabilities as a priority by equipping them enough “to confront emerging threats and effectively combat crime.”

The President reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to enhance “the institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police Force, ensuring it is more effective and well-positioned to fulfil its constitutional mandate as the lead agency in internal security.”

He outlined efforts by the government to achieve this, including recruiting and retaining a competent workforce while fostering a positive and supportive work environment, bridging existing security infrastructure and equipment gaps “through a comprehensive and sustainable programme that includes renovating police barracks, improving mobility, and upgrading essential combat and protective gear.

“Implementing the new minimum wage is among the many steps we have taken to enhance the welfare of Nigerian workers, including police personnel. We will continue collaborating with the police leadership to provide financial incentives to motivate officers and all security personnel to perform at their highest levels.

“While no remuneration can truly compensate for the sacrifices made by our security forces, we remain committed to supporting them in their crucial role of keeping Nigeria safe and united,” he added.

Acknowledging that security is a shared responsibility, President Tinubu charged communities and the citizens to “actively collaborate with the police to foster a safer society.

“No matter how well-funded, well-equipped, or well-trained a police force is, it can not succeed without the cooperation of the people it serves. Public engagement and trust are central to the success of inclusive policing,” he maintained.

Earlier, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State applauded President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their visionary leadership, saying their unwavering commitment to peace and national prosperity has continued to serve as an inspiration to him and his colleagues.

He observed that security underscores the ideal society where citizens feel saved, valued and protected, stressing that security and development are intertwined.

He highlighted the contributions of Ogun State to efficient policing including securing more police vehicles, and motorcycles and collaborating with the French government to Secure high-tech drones, among others.

In his welcome remarks, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, described the annual Police conference as “a critical platform for assessing the administrative and operational strategies of the Nigeria Police Force, extensive insight and realigning policy objectives with evolving global security landscape.”

He stated that in the past two years, the conference has offered valuable insight that has served contemporary policing in Nigeria, promoting innovation, collaboration and best practices.

He said the theme of the conference naturally flowed from the last conference, focusing on the broader issues of enhanced security mechanism, and international development with emphasis on internal policing.

Also speaking, the Inspector General of Police of Kenya, Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho, said Kenya and Nigeria have enjoyed a cordial and mutual relationship for many years while seeking good benefits for their citizens.

He noted that, as African Union Police Chief, he had informed the AU heads of state and government during their meeting in July 2023 in Nairobi of the need for joint exercise and security training, particularly in surveillance of the respective borders in the wake of terrorism and trans-border crimes.

He called for collaboration to improve the needs and welfare of the citizens.

In the same vein, the Inspector General of Police of Rwanda, CG Felix Namuhoranye, described the theme of the conference as “very significant, timely and relevant, as we resonate with the security concerns not only in Nigeria but in Africa in general.”

He said development and peace can only take place in a secure environment, noting that inclusiveness is a moral obligation that is necessary in the police force just as it is paramount in government policy.

AT POLICE STRATEGIC CONFERENCE: President Tinubu Insists On Inter-agency Synergy To Contain Insecurity

Dabiri-Erewa Congratulates Zuriel Oduwole on Nomination for 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

By: Michael Mike

Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa has congratulated 22-year old Zuriel Oduwole on her nomination by three institutions for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize.

In a congratulatory message, the elated Abike Dabiri-Erewa said the nomination was not a surprise to her due to the tireless work of Zuriel advocating for girls education over the last 12 years across Africa and the Caribbean, and for her peace mediating work between nations in South America and the Middle East.

She expressed optimism that Zuriel will win the topmost prize going by her determination, zeal and enthusiasm for success.

Dabiri-Erewa, while wishing her the very best luck in her endeavours, implored youths to emulate the impactful spirit of Zuriel and shun any acts capable of denigrating the image of Nigeria.

The nominations were made on behalf of USC by a Professor of Clinical Education Engineering, the University of Missouri by an Emeritus Professor of Social Science, and by a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

It is the culmination of a dedication to making a measurable difference in the world, that has seen her receive among others, a Forbes Leadership Award, the CARE Global Impact Award, and the UN Secretary General Ban Ki- Moon Award.

In the course of her 12 year journey, Ms Oduwole had met one-on-one with 36 Presidents and Prime Ministers, to learn about and then crafting simpler solutions to the planets burgeoning socio-economic challenges.

Oduwole grandfather Dr. Michael Oduwole left Nigeria in 1954 to Scotland to become a medical doctor, where Zuriels father Ademola Oduwole was born.

He then emigrated to Los Angeles – CA in 1991, where Zuriel was born in 2002.

Dabiri-Erewa, in the statement said Zuriel recognition and nomination for arguably the most prestigious award known to man, is another evidence of that resilient and hardworking Nigerian spirit, warmly coded in Nigerians DNA, and simply waiting for the slightest opportunity to not just express the innate abilities, but to lead and dominate whereever Nigerians find themselves across the globe.

Dabiri-Erewa Congratulates Zuriel Oduwole on Nomination for 2025 Nobel Peace Prize

Military and Government Experts Meet to Equip ECOWAS Standby Force

By: Michael Mike

Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is at the last lap of equipping the ECOWAS Standby Force saddled with the duty of combating terrorism, banditry, violent extremism and political instability in the West African subregion with the gathering of military and government experts in Abuja to validate the Logistics Depot policies of the economic bloc.

The meeting is coming ahead of the commissioning of the recently completed ECOWAS Logistics Depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone.

Speaking at the opening of the validation exercise, the Commission’s Commissioner, Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah said the increased acts of terrorism, violent extremism and political instability within the region has necessitated the urgent need for fully functional and operational static depot.

Musah, who was represented by Dr. Sanni Mohammed, Acting Head of Peace Support Operations in ECOWAS, said that the project remains a critical one for peace support operations, explaining that the depot is expected to warehouse all the equipment that are supposed to be deployed for operations .

He said: “The ECOWAS Commission has injected substantial resources towards the construction as well as the operationalisation of the depot, and it remains a critical flagship project for ECOWAS region’s peace support operations infrastructure.

“The increased act of terrorism, violent extremism, and political instability being experienced in a number of our countries, with heavy and dire consequences, are a clear testament to the urgent need for a well-resourced logistics strategy with a fully functional and operational and static depot.”

He said it took the Commisson this long to put in place the Depot “not because of reluctance on the part of management, but because of the need to mobilise the required resources that will enable the Commission to actually put in place a depot that will be, you know, consistent with not only continental but also global best practises. So the depot we are happy is in place now in Lungi, Sierra Leone.

“It’s a coastal depot, so anywhere, from anywhere we are shipping equipment to the depot either by land, air, or sea, we’ll be able to comfortably evacuate them and put them in the depot in Lungi, Sierra Leone. Well, the ECOWAS standby force is already fully activated. It’s in place.

“Like we have two missions that are currently running in Guinea-Bissau as well as the Gambia. The missions are there, and the troops from the standby force are the ones there. The activation of the ECOWAS standby force to fight terrorism is actually what we are now currently planning to do.

“We need to have the required resources. Already member states have given us the troops that will populate the contingent that will move in activation of the standby force in its kinetic form. So we are up and doing to be able to deliver on that task.

“Well, currently there are a number, multiple processes we need to engage. Firstly, with our various governments to be able to mobilise the resources. We want to see that resources are mobilised internally.

“This is a fight that you need to have internal resources to allow you comfortably confront the challenges. Instead of relying on external funding that will not be always sustainable.

He noted that the standby force and the peacekeeping, is a comprehensive depot that will enable ECOWAS to put in place equipment for deployments. Either during peace support operations or also during fighting. If you are fighting terrorism.

“So it’s a comprehensive depot, which is multidimensional in nature. And it’s going to house all the necessary needs that will be required. When deploying, either you want to address internal crisis in member states or you want to fight these terrorist activities,” he explained.

He added: “Well, the ECOWAS standby force is a standby arrangement where countries in the ECOWAS region contribute their capabilities and capacities to meet challenges, security challenges in the region. Challenges could vary from one form to the other. Whichever one that is prevalent now, we are trained to come together and bring our capacities to respond to it.

“Whichever one it may be, but we must be well trained and equipped with the kind of task, the kind of task that we are not well equipped for. And that’s why this workshop or meeting is to bring all our capabilities for logistics so that we can support operations in the region, be it in peacetime or non-peacetimes, in terms of emergencies, humanitarian situations and other emergencies in the region.”

The Meeting Chairman, Air Commodore, Sampson Eyekosi, said ECOWAS standby force is not taking the role of the Multinational Joint Taskforce (MNJTF), insisting that security is a connected thing.

He said: “You cannot work in isolation. It’s not taking any role. We all work together for the attainment of peace and security in the region.”

On the number of personnel to deployed as standby force, Eyekosi said the number would be determined by the threat, stating that: “It is not fixed. The threat determines how big the force will be. But units in member states are placed on alert based on what is pledged to the collective effort. And they are trained together, they are prepared, they are deployed as the situation requires.

He added that: “As we all know, it is imperative that the conduct of Peace Support Operations (PSO) in the ECOWAS region requires to be properly guided by a well thought out and proven logistics procedures and processes.

“Likewise, the need to look closely at the nitty-gritty of all essential that is required to be in place to ensure that the ECOWAS Logistic Depot (ELD) at Lungi, Sierra Leone become functional and attains full operational capability in the shortest possible time. “In order to properly structure and organise it up to fully and effectively support on-going and future peace missions in the region. Especially as the ELD is now at the verge of being commissioned this year, with over ninety percent of expected infrastructural work already completed on the facility.

“Furthermore, Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, our beloved region calls us now to duty and have deliberately brought together, the brightest professional logistics, administrative and management minds here to brainstorm and produce a final product that will indeed stand the test of time in the real world. This unique opportunity therefore, requires that we all bring to bear our wealth of experience in various aspects or gamut of logistics, administration and management to give back for the interest of our region. Particularly, as it relates to Peace Support Operations in West Africa and Africa as a whole.”

Military and Government Experts Meet to Equip ECOWAS Standby Force