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Implement 2014 Confab Report On Community Policing, Restructuring, Shekarau Urges Tinubu
A former Governor of Kano State, Senator Ibrahim Shekarau, has urged President Bola Tinubu to implement some of the recommendations of the 2014 National Conference Report on community policing and restructuring.
“I have gone through that document. It is 2014 during (Goodluck) Jonathan’s government. He personally handed it over publicly at Eagle Square to President (Muhammadu) Buhari and nothing was done about it,” the former Minister of Education said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday.
“I’ll advise President Tinubu to dust it up. May be set up a small committee to review it and see things that are doable. Most of these things that we are talking about are there.”
The ex-governor advocated state police and restructuring that “allows bottom-up structure of government. There should be some participation of the people correctly”.
Shekarau, who applauded the President and state governors for considering the creation of state police, said Nigeria needs community policing owned by the community, while the government be the coordinator.
He said state police cannot be successful without traditional institutions and the involvement of the community.
He said at least 50,000 policemen should be recruited annually into the Nigeria Police Force.
Backs Parliamentary System
The ex-governor further backed the call for parliamentary system of government by a group of 60 lawmakers in the House of Representatives who, on Wednesday, sought amendments to the 1999 Constitution for transition from the current presidential system to the parliamentary system of government.
“I will prefer the parliamentary system to this (presidential) system. It will reduce our cost and bring in more involvement of the people.
“Look at what is happening in the UK. At every time when the Prime Minister misbehaves, they will quickly get rid of him or allow him to resign and elect another head of government.
“But today, it’s a hard nut to break when you talk of impeachment of the President. People have tried it and it never worked. This kind of thing must be changed,” Shekarau said.
Shekarau’s comment on the 2014 Confab Report came about a decade after then President Goodluck Jonathan and other leaders organised the conference to proffer workable suggestions on how to move the country forward.
The national dialogue began on March 17, 2014 with the late respected Jurist, Justice Idris Kutigi (retd.), as its chairman.
494 Nigerians from all walks of life attended the conference for about five months. About N10bn was spent on the confab which produced over 600 recommendations including suggestions for the restructuring of Nigeria’s political, economic, social and security systems so as to quell agitations from difference geopolitical sections and achieve long-lasting peace.
However, the recommendations of the confab have not been implemented by successive administrations.
…as foreign minister say member states must be united
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of The Gambia National Assembly, Hon. Fabakary Tombong Jatta, has urged members of the ECOWAS Parliament to face the realities of the region’s challenges following the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from the regional body.
Speaking at the opening of the Delocalised Meeting of the ECOWAS Joint Committees on Monday in Banjul, The Gambia, Hon. Jatta said, the joint committee meeting was to ‘Consider the Political, Socio-Economic and Humanitarian Impact of the Withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger from ECOWAS’.
The Speaker who highlighted the importance of the theme, said the situation demands deep reflection.
He said: “The theme under which this meeting is convened is not merely a topic for discussion; it calls for a deeper introspection of the founding principles of ECOWAS and to what extent these principles are serving the wishes and aspirations of our Citizens”.
The Speaker described the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger on January 29, 2025, as the most significant crisis in West Africa’s regional integration since the founding of ECOWAS in 1975.
He praised ECOWAS’s approach to the crisis, noting, “It is however worth noting that despite the major setback the withdrawal represents, ECOWAS measured and pragmatic approach shows the commitment to building bridges for cooperation and is highly commendable.”
Hon. Jatta therefore urged parliamentarians to recognize the complex causes of the withdrawal, as he said that the withdrawal could disrupt trade, increase security threats, and affect cross-border communities.
“As you take stock and deliberate on the impact of the withdrawal of the Alliance of Sahel States, do not lose sight of the fact that the departure of the Sahel states reflects a complex web of security concerns, geopolitical realignments and institutional failures.
“The immediate impact includes the potential disruption of established trade routes and economic zones. Port cities and transit trade could experience an economic downturn and cross-border communities and traditional trade networks may face challenges,” he said.
The Speaker warned about wider implications for African unity. “The split of ECOWAS poses profound implications for the African Union’s broader integration agenda, challenging current realities and future assumptions,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Hon. Jatta expressed optimism. that the resolutions that will emerge from this meeting would include strengthening the arm of parliamentary diplomacy to the Sahel states through constructive engagements and collaborations.
“Choosing isolation over regional cooperation would result in economic isolation and increased maritime access costs as landlocked nations. Additionally, they risk reduced foreign direct investment due to perceived instability and limited market access,” he added.
Hon. Jatta therefore called for dedication and urgency. “As parliamentarians, we have a crucial role to play in making this vision a reality. We must, therefore, approach our deliberations with a sense of urgency, commitment and determination, knowing that the hopes and aspirations of millions of ECOWAS citizens rest on our shoulders.
Without any shred of doubt, I am confident that, together, we can overcome the challenges before us and pave the way for a more integrated, peaceful, and prosperous ECOWAS region,” he said.
In his goodwill, Minister of Foreign Affairs of The Gambia, Dr. Mamadou Tangara, called on ECOWAS member states to strengthen unity and solidarity as the region faces critical political and security challenges.
Dr. Tangara noted its significance as the regional body marks its 50th anniversary.
“Your decision to organize this important delocalized sitting in Banjul is a clear testimony of your strong commitment to bring ECOWAS closer to its citizens. “The Government of The Gambia salutes this lofty decision of the Sixth Legislature”, he said.
Addressing the theme of the sitting, the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS, Dr. Tangara described it as unfortunate butemphasised hope for reconciliation.
He stressed that the vision of the founding fathers of ECOWAS and the African Union must continue to guide the region.
“We are all better off together as one family; one united West Africa with a common history, geography and destiny. We can overcome our disagreements and differences. We have the capacity, the readiness and willingness to achieve regional unity.
“Our unity is our strength. Let us work towards attaining African unity as encapsulated in the vision and dreams of the founding fathers,” Dr. Tangara urged.
The Foreign Minister reflected on the original goals of ECOWAS, describing the organization as a symbol of Pan-Africanism and economic emancipation.
And cautioned that the withdrawal of member states could weaken the dream of a united Africa.
“At the heart of the founding of ECOWAS was the recognition of the need for greater Pan-Africanism, African unity, solidarity and the economic emancipation of our states from the vestiges of colonialism.
“Any withdrawal from any of those building blocks by member states undermines African unity, integration and solidarity,” he stated.
Dr. Tangara therefore called for continuous engagement with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger, as he said, “we cannot lose hope or patience and adopt abandonment as a policy.”
Dr. Tangara emphasised the many achievements of ECOWAS, from peacekeeping efforts to trade and free movement across borders, and challenged the notion that democracy and good governance are foreign to Africa.
“Some of our countries are enjoying peace today thanks to the sacrifices and invaluable contributions made by ECOWAS and its member states. The free movement of goods and people across our borders has become a standard being emulated around the world.
“African citizens have and nurture expectations that they will participate in the choice of their leaders and that their governments will govern justly based on rule of law and respect for human rights,” he said.
Dr. Tangara urged the delegates to focus on pragmatic solutions and regional cooperation, especially in light of growing security threats.
“No state in the region is secure without the security of other states.
“Our common history, our diverse peoples, our shared geography, our rich culture, our collective security and mutual prosperity place a unique burden on all of us here present to pursue unity, integration and prosperity,” he said.
…as young Nigerians, social media influencers push for free speech, national unity
By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, says the strength of Nigeria’s democracy should be judged by how much all citizens, especially key groups, are included in decision-making.
Speaker Abbas who stated this while meeting with a group of social media influencers, many of them young Nigerians, at the ‘Speaker’s New Media Exchange 2025’, stressed the importance of youth voices and the role of online platforms in shaping the country’s democracy on Monday in Abuja.
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