By Eric Elezuo

Renowned philanthropist and Founder, Focus on Disability Foundation, Sir Abiodun Enitari Paseda, and his wife, Olori Esther Adeola Paseda, have further extended their hands of fellowship and milk of human kindness to the Founder’s alma mater, Emmanuel Anglican Primary School 1, Italupe, Ijebu-Ode, in Ogun State, by renovating and handing over a block of two classrooms, to attain higher learning standard, and an assistant head teacher’s office, for more desired comfort.

Also, the couple donated a newly constructed borehole to supply water to Abapawa Community in Odogbolu Local Government Area of the state.

In a brief ceremony during the handover of the facilities to management of the school, Sir Paseda relived his times at the school, noting that nothing brings joy to anyone much more than reaching out to organizations and institutions that affected and supported their growing up.

“It all started here, and I owe both myself and humanity a duty to return to this origin. This is my own little way of saying thank you to this school for being a part of my success story, nurturing me through academic infancy and ensuring that I, and many others, who passed through this environment, come out successful.

“Giving back to the society is a call, it’s a duty, and I am proud to stand before you to fulfill and answer this divine call,” Paseda said.

Commissioning the block of classrooms, the President, Eminent International Club, who doubled as the Chairman of the occasion, Otunba Adedeji Agbomabiwon, praised the efforts of Mr and Mrs Paseda, saying their type is what the society needs to move forward.

“Government cannot do everything. So, when thoughtful personalities like Paseda and his wife, take it upon themselves to contribute their quota to development, they should be appreciated. We therefore, call on more well meaning Nigerians to emulate this couple for a better society,” Otunba Agbomabiwon said.

In his response, the Headteacher, Mr. Lawrence Oso, on behalf of the management, thanked Paseda and his wife for the kind gesture, saying that posterity will remember them for that singular act of kindness.

Paseda, a known advocate for the welfare of people living with disabilities, have been in the forefront of offering succour to children battling disability, ensuring that they have maximum education and enjoy meaningful living like their able-bodied counterparts.

His Foundation, Focus on Disabilities Foundation, operating in yhe United Kingdom, Nigeria and Ghana, has continued to ensure equal status for people living with disabilities. He has also built and furnished a state-of-the-art facility for disabled children in Odogbolu, Ogun State.

The Nigeria Police Force has expressed serious concern regarding a recent 34-page report released by Amnesty International, which alleges police culpability in the deaths and arrests of protesters, and the use of excessive force during the #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024.

The Force, according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Muyiwa Adejobi, categorically refuted the allegations as unfounded, misleading, and inconsistent with incident reports submitted to the office of the Inspector-General of Police by affected Commands.

The statement noted that “The Force wishes to reiterate that throughout the protests, it operated in compliance with established rules of engagement, including providing security for peaceful protesters. The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D, NPM, had issued clear directives to all Commissioners of Police on managing the protests, emphasizing that officers should not deploy arms to manage protests. Instead, arms were only to be used when protests escalated into riots involving loss of lives and damage to property. Even then, engagement with armed protesters was limited strictly to specialized armed units to restore order.

“The Nigeria Police Force recorded several unpalatable incidents during the protests, which were accurately documented and publicly shared. For example, in Borno State, 4 individuals tragically lost their lives, and 34 others sustained severe injuries following an attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP operatives who infiltrated the protest and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). Similarly, in another isolated incident, an unregistered vehicle rammed into protesters, resulting in 2 fatalities. These events, which accounted for the total of 7 recorded deaths during the protests, were not caused by police actions.

“Furthermore, in Kano, Kaduna, Jigawa, Nasarawa, and Niger States, some protesters displayed foreign flags, destroyed public and private property, and attacked police personnel deployed to ensure their safety. The Police Force had to employ strategic measures, including the lawful use of tear gas, to prevent further escalation and ensure public safety. The use of tear gas is a globally accepted practice for dispersing unruly crowds and was applied judiciously without recourse to live ammunition.

“It is important to state that the police did not fire live ammunition nor cause the death of any protester. Officers demonstrated professionalism, restraint, and adherence to constitutional and international standards, even when subjected to attacks and injuries. Arrests made during the protests targeted individuals engaging in criminal acts such as treason, vandalism, robbery, arson, and looting. These arrests were conducted lawfully, and those detained were treated within the ambit of the law.

“In a gesture of magnanimity, the Federal Government has since granted pardon to the individuals arrested during the protests despite the severity of their offenses, evidencing its commitment to reconciliation and national unity.

“In response to Amnesty International’s allegations, the IGP has directed a comprehensive investigation into the claims. Commissioners of Police in the affected states have been mandated to submit further detailed reports on the incidents within one week. This directive aims to identify any deviation from the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and rules of engagement, irrespective of the security agencies involved.

“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to safeguarding the fundamental rights of all citizens, promoting the rule of law, and improving its operational standards based on constructive and objective feedback.”

The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has inaugurated an 11-man Committee to conduct a thorough investigation and review of the decisions on dismissal and suspension of Cadets by the Disciplinary Committee of the Police Academy, Wudil, Kano.

A statement by the Deputy Director (Information & Public Relations), Mr. Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), reveal that the committee which had the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Police Affairs as Chairman comprises representatives of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Nigeria Police Force (NPF); DIG of the Zone; Director, Reform Coordination and Service Improvement; Director, Police Service Department; Legal Department; Federal Civil Service Commission.

Others are the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; Registrar POLAC and Director, Human Resources Management – Member/Secretary were inaugurated at the Headquarters of the Ministry in Abuja.

The Minister pointed out that a thorough investigation and review of the decisions must be conducted following passionate appeals received from some students and parents/guardians of the affected students.

Gaidam revealed that the Disciplinary Committee of Police Academy, Wudil, Kano after various investigations and consideration, unanimously recommended the suspension and discharge of some cadets who were found guilty of committing various infractions in the school including smoking Indian hemp, drinking alcohol, damaging property among others.

In his words, “The recent incidents that have brought us to this moment are a cause for concern, but they also present an opportunity for reflection and improvement. We must approach this investigation with diligence, fairness, and an unwavering commitment to the truth”.

He noted that the objective is not only to address the specific cases at hand but also to reinforce the standards of conduct that define our academy and the values we hold dear and commitment to uphold the integrity and excellence of our esteemed institution—the Nigeria Police Academy.

According to him, “The Nigeria Police Academy stands as a beacon of hope and a pillar of our nation’s security framework. It is here that we mold the future leaders of our police force. However, we are acutely aware that the challenges we face are significant. We cannot afford to allow this credible institution to be turned into a breeding ground for criminals, drug addicts, troublemakers, and law-breakers. Our mission is clear: to produce well-disciplined, thoroughly trained, and professional police officers who not only understand the law but embody it in their actions”.

The Minister charged the committee to be mindful of the broader implications of their work as the integrity of our academy reflects on the entire policing system in Nigeria. It is our duty to ensure that every cadet who walks through these halls emerges not only as a law enforcement officer but as a paragon of virtue and professionalism. Gaidam stressed.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary/Chairman of the Committee, Mr. Yusuf Abubakar Argungu stated that the Ministry received an avalanche of appeals and requests for the review of the decisions of the Nigeria Police Academy, and the Minister directed for the constitution of a committee to look into the matter for fairness and justice before the approval of the Ministry