News

Speaker Abbas Says 400,000 Policemen Not Enough To Secure Nigeria’s Population

Published

10 months ago

February 23, 2024

…seeks collaboration with State Assemblies on constitutional amendments

By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, has said that the 400,000 policemen in service is not sufficient to provide security to over 200 million Nigerians.

Speaking during a courtesy call by the Association of Clerks of State Houses of Assembly on Thursday, Abbas who was represented by Deputy Speaker, Rep. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, said that it is necessary to establish state police.

He said state policing will increase internal security because the operators are already familiar with the terrain they are to police.

Abbas said that the establishment of State Police is akin to the amendments made to issues of railway, power amongst others by the 9th National Assembly to enable the States enjoy some constitution rights under the concurrent list to delve into those issues.

He said: “On other key nationally important matters like state police, for example, the House recognizes the diverse perspectives and needs across different states. We believe that through constructive dialogue and a willingness to find common ground, we can arrive at solutions that truly serves the best interests of all Nigerians.

“Talking about state Police, you will remember also that we did something with the Correctional Services. These are issues that ordinarily fall into the exclusive list of the Constitution of the federal of republic of Nigeria which you had no business tampering with. But in the spirit of true federalism, the 9th and 10th Assemblies are determined to bring some of these for better governance to take it from the exclusive list to the concurrent list. We did that with the railway and power in the 9th assembly. The question is, how many of the states have drafted laws, domesticating that in their state?

“Now, the State Police is here. We want to use the legislative intervention to improve the needs in our society. One of our needs is security. And we have tried the one layer police system and they overwhelmed us. The truth remains that 400, 000 policemen, policing over 200 million people can never give you the expected security. It is not even in line with the international best practices on police per citizen policing.

“How do we make it trickle down and achieve what we are looking for. Imagine a brother of mine trained in Sokoto or Kaduna during his training as a policeman and he finished and was sent to Bayelsa, a riverine area where the culture is different, language is different, even the way of movement is different -they use mainly boats and this our brother has a phobia for water, how do you expect him to police the people who swim? The policing will not be thorough. But take a man from that community who knows the in and out of the geography of the area, train him around that place, send him to police, you will agree with me that he will police better. The same thing if you take my brother from Bayelsa to Sokoto, he will not police better than the Sokoto man.

“Yet, the spirit of one nation, national integration, federal character is key and cannot be tampered with. That is why the federal police can have the coloration of what it is at the moment.

“And another thing is, if we don’t streamline it, you will see pockets of organizations, vigilante groups springing up everyday, getting armed everyday. If tomorrow we are not able to manage them in line with the core principle of policing, we may end up creating monsters that will add to insecurity.”

Abbas also called for collaborations among the national parliament and the State Assemblies with regards to the ongoing constitutional amendments.

He said that the synergy was necessary if lofty results were to be achieved.

“The House of Representatives recognizes the crucial role State Assemblies play in shaping the fabric of our nation. We understand that effective governance in a federal system like ours requires inter-governmental collaboration and synergy between the government at the center and the federating units.

“The Nigerian constitutional amendment process has long been a subject of national discourse, and rightfully so because the society is dynamic. It presents a unique opportunity to address critical issues, strengthen our institutions, and pave the way for a more prosperous, enviable and equitable future for all Nigerians.

“However, this process cannot succeed without a unified front. It’s been tested time and again that the federal legislature in isolation of the states legislature cannot amend the grundnom. The constitution is clear on that. Responsibility is shared.

“The House of Representatives firmly believes that collaboration between the National Assembly and State Assemblies is essential to achieve meaningful and lasting reforms. The clerks are the backbones of the State legislature.

“We are committed to working closely with you, the Clerks who serve as the backbone of your respective legislative houses, to ensure open communication, exchange of ideas, and a shared understanding of the issues at stake”, he said.

Earlier in her presentation, the chairman and leadership of the delegation, Rukaiyatu Adamu Jalo told the Speaker that their mission to the House was to seek collaboration with the House, appreciate the national assembly for the passage of the autonomy for state legislature and judiciary bill into law and to understudy the national parliament on the implementation of practice and procedures of legislative business.

Bemoaning the non implementation of the act in many states, Adamu appealed to the House leadership to interface with the Forum of State Speakers to resolve the issue.

News

Nigeria Renews Currency Swap Deal With China

Published

4 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Nigeria and China have renewed the currency swap agreement between both countries.

The renewal is valid for three years and can be renewed upon mutual consent.

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who shared the information on his social media account, said China’s central bank confirmed on Friday that it has renewed a bilateral currency swap agreement with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

The total value of the agreement is 15 billion yuan (about 2.09 billion U.S. dollars), or 3.28 trillion Nigerian naira, the People’s Bank of China said in a statement on its website.

It said that the renewal of the currency swap arrangement will strengthen financial cooperation between China and Nigeria, expand the use of the two currencies, and promote and facilitate bilateral trade and investment.

Recall back in 2018, the CBN and its Chinese counterpart, signed a currency swap deal after two years of negotiations between the two countries.

The deal, valued at about $2.5bn, is aimed at providing adequate local currency liquidity to Nigerian and Chinese industrialists and other businesses, thereby reducing the difficulties encountered in the search for third currencies.

The move is also aimed at facilitating bilateral trade and investment and promoting the financial stability of both countries.

News

Aiyedatiwa names court complex after Akeredolu

Published

4 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State has immortalised his predecessor, Rotimi Akeredolu, as he announced that the new High Court complex to be constructed in the state would be named after the departed ex-governor.

Aiyedatiwa disclosed this while speaking during the flag-off of the construction of the new high court complex also called the Judiciary Village in Akure, the state capital, on Friday.

Aiyedatiwa described the project as a historic milestone for the state, adding that it was conceived under the leadership and vision of the late Akeredolu.

He said, “This is a milestone celebration as we flag off the construction of a new high court complex in our dear state.

“Since the creation of Ondo State in 1976, no attempt has been made to provide a modern edifice for the administration of justice.

“Today, we are not only making history but also fulfilling a long-standing dream of the judiciary.

“This development is the actualisation of the dream and vision of our late leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.

“He desired to provide a state-of-the-art high court complex to enhance the workload and welfare of our judiciary.

“Naming this project the Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu Judiciary Complex is a fitting way to immortalise his legacy.”

Highlighting the importance of embarking on the project, the governor expressed his administration’s commitment to the advancement of justice and the welfare of judicial officers in the state.

“Let me state with all sense of responsibility that we are embarking on this project at this time not because the state is too buoyant financially but because of our commitment to providing a good working environment with modern facilities that will enhance the welfare of our judicial officers, workers and people seeking justice, with the overall aim of speeding up the dispensation of justice in Ondo State.

“This complex will include a ceremonial court, modular courts, a registry, a library, exhibition buildings, a utility building and modern parking facilities.

“It’s designed to create a conducive environment for the administration of justice and to speed up the dispensation of justice in Ondo State,” he stated.

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Olusegun Odusola lauded the initiative, describing it as a landmark achievement of the current administration in the state.

News

2024 Globe Soccer Awards, Ronaldo, Vinicius, Bellingham win big(Photos)

Published

4 hours ago

December 27, 2024

Kayode Sanni-Arewa

By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Al Nassr and Portuguese forward, Cristiano Ronaldo was named the best player in the Middle East at the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards ceremony held in Dubai earlier on, December 27.

The organizers of the 2024 Globe Soccer Awards ceremony honoured Real Madrid president Florentino Perez with the career-recognition award tagged “The greatest president of all time”.

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand alongside Alessandro Del Piero, Neymar, and Thibaut Courtois were also given lifetime achievement awards.

It was a night for Real Madrid and members of the team as the club’s coach, Carlo Ancelotti was named Best Coach at the Globe Soccer Awards. His player, Vinicius Junior, was named Best Men’s Player of the Year, while Jude Bellingham won the Best Midfielder award.