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Tinubu Urges Govts at All Levels to Support Police Veterans
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reiterated the need by all levels of government, including well-meaning members of the society, to assist and support Police veterans.
He stated this during the launch of the Nigeria Police Force Veterans Foundation at the Corporate Headquarters, Police Service Commission, Abuja.
In his speech, presented by the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Hajia Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the president pointed out that one of the responsibilities of government and individuals in the society is supporting and sustaining the Police Veterans’ Foundation to enable the attainment of its noble objectives of giving a better life and hopes to our Police retired officers that will cushion the effects and burdens of post-service challenges.
“As the President of our dear country, I will not only give my full support to the Veterans Foundation but will also ensure that such areas like improving the pension and severance package of retired Police Officers are immediately reviewed to reflect the enormity of their contributions and commitment to our country. Also, administrative processes towards issuance of an Executive Order will be immediately initiated to set aside a day, perhaps, 5th March (being today, the launch of the Veterans’ Foundation) or 1st April (being the date that the hitherto existing police forces of Northern and Southern provinces were amalgamated to form a unified Nigeria Police Force), as National Police and Veterans’ Day in Nigeria,” Tinubu said.
A statement by the Deputy Director, Press, Bolaji Kazeem, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), the President noted that the conceptualization of the Police Veterans Foundation which has crystallized to its launch today is not only thoughtful but a great initiative. I, therefore, salute the brains behind this noble idea and laudable project aimed at improving the welfare of Police retirees and renewing their hopes to live out their lives in dignity and comfort. Tinubu stressed
According to him, “We must reflect on the cost of peace and security in Nigeria, to enable us to fully appreciate and thank our Police veterans, for placing the nation’s security before their own lives. Their courage, sacrifices, and commitment to peace and security undoubtedly create a huge debt that Nigeria cannot commensurately be repaid to them.
He added that The Nigeria Police Force is a critical symbol of State legitimacy and the lead agency in Nigeria’s internal security architecture. The sacrifice and commitment of its personnel contribute in no mean measure to keeping the citizens safe and guaranteeing a stable national democratic order.
Tinubu further charged the good people of Nigeria not to lose faith in the Government over the current hard times and insecurity challenges in the country and reiterated the concrete efforts and measures that are already underway to tackle and contain threats and issues of insecurity in Nigeria and effort towards stabilizing the economy and ensuring there is food security in the country.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), Dr. Solomon Arase, said the launch of the Police Veterans’ Foundation will always be chronicled as a great milestone for the members of the Nigeria Police Force, both serving and retired noting that the event is partly a solemn one as it accords us the opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made by our brave Police officers in the course of duty, and the debt of gratitude yet unpaid by the very society that they gave their all.
“Perhaps, a historical background to the conceptualization of the Nigeria Police Veterans’ Foundation will help us situate where we are coming from to enable us fully appreciate its import and timeliness to retired Police officers. Upon my appointment and assumption of office as the chairman of the Police Service Commission on 29th March 2023, it became necessary that the experiential knowledge of the retired members of the Nigeria Police Force be sought. I believe that the experience of retired Police officers which spans through different decades would be of invaluable assistance in evolving policies that will help in repositioning the Nigeria Police for optimal functionality in delivering on its mandate,” Arase said.
The Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, has resigned his appointment.
The resignation of the HoS, who served under the suspended Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, was contained in a statement issued by the Chief of Staff to the Sole Administrator and obtained by newsmen on Tuesday morning.
The Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), thanked Nwaeke for his service to him within the short period since he assumed office and wished him well in his future endeavours.
The statement reads, “The office of His Excellency, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (retd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas CFR, is saddened to announce the resignation of the Head of Service, Rivers State, Dr George Nwaeke, FCA, Mni.
“His Excellency, the Administrator appreciates the immense contributions he has shown this administration in the short period he served and wishes him well in his future endeavours.”
Meanwhile, Ibas has appointed Prof. Ibibi Worika as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government.
Worika’s appointment was also contained in a statement from the office of the Sole Administrator also obtained on Tuesday morning.
The statement reads, “His Excellency, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (retd.) CFR, the Administrator of Rivers State, is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Ibibia Lucky Worika as the new Secretary to the Rivers State Government (SSG).
“His appointment follows careful consideration of his credentials, extensive experience, and performance during rigorous selection process.
“Professor Worika’s distinguished career spans academia, international legal practice, and high-level policy advisory roles, making him uniquely qualified to support the administrator in the onerous task of achieving Mr President’s mandate. His appointment takes immediate effect.
“Professor Worika’s appointment reflects the administrator’s commitment to harnessing the great human capital of the Rivers’ people to work with him to achieve the much-needed peace, stability and security.”
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Yes, We Collected $5000, But for Sallah, Not Bribe to Support Tinubu’s Emergency Declaration – Reps Member
The Chairman, House of Reps Committee on the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has denied that the $5,000 given to each member of the House were bribes to secure support for President Bola Tinubu’s emergency rule in Rivers State.
Investigative journalist, Jaafar Jaafar, said in a post on X (formerly Twitter) that Betara reached out to clarify that the $5,000 given to lawmakers was merely a “Sallah Gesture” and not an inducement.
According to the journalist, Betara said it is part of a long-standing tradition, adding that has nothing to do with the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
“The chairman of the House Committee on FCT, Mukhtar Aliyu Betara, has clarified to me that he only shared $5,000 to each member of his committee as a ‘Sallah Gesture’ not an inducement to support emergency rule in Rivers State. According to him, he maintains the tradition – like Santa Claus – every year. As we say in Hausa, not thigh but hind leg,” Jaafar posted.
However, this explanation corroborates previous media reports, which claimed that substantial sums were handed out at Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s Guest House in Maitama, Abuja, to sway lawmakers in favour of the emergency rule.
President Tinubu, last week, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing political instability and security threats, including recent oil pipeline vandalism.
However, the revelations of cash-for-support allegations raise serious questions about the move’s legitimacy and the extent of the political manoeuvring behind it.
There is palpable tension in the ancient city of Kano following a parallel Sallah Durbar festival scheduled by the 15th Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, and the 16th Emir, Khalifa Mohammadu Sanusi II.
The prolonged emirate tussle in the city is taking another tough dimension amidst a legal battle, as both contenders have mapped out separate lines of events with the full backing of the Federal and State governments.
In a letter signed by Bayero’s Private Secretary, Abdullahi Haruna Kwaru, addressed to the Commissioner of Police, the 15th Emir has notified the authorities of the plan and arrangements to conduct the traditional festival, including Hauwa Nasarawa and Daushe, to commemorate the end of Ramadan.
According to the schedule, Bayero’s festivities will feature Hawan Sallah, Hawan Daushe, and Hawan Nassarawa on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of Shawwal 1446 AH, followed by a cultural event on the 4th day.
Kwaru noted that this year’s celebrations mark a significant milestone, coinciding with the Emir’s fifth anniversary on the throne of his forefathers.
“The purpose of this letter is to formally notify the security agencies in Kano State, particularly the Police Force, that this year’s Sallah events coincide with the five (5) years anniversary of His Highness on the throne of his forefathers, with the assurance that all activities will be conducted peacefully,” the letter read.
He expressed hopes for a peaceful celebration and prayed for protection, good health, and harmony in society, adding that the Emir’s office sought the cooperation of security agencies to ensure a peaceful and successful celebration.
Incidentally, Bayero’s notice of the event emerged on social media. Soon after, the Kano State Government directed the four recognized emirates, under the leadership of Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 16th Emir of Kano, to commence full preparation for the Durbar festival.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf gave the directive while hosting the first and second-class emirs to a special Ramadan Iftar at the Government House, insisting that residents would not be denied the opportunity to relish the colorful traditional activities at the end of Ramadan.
The Kano Sallah Durbar festival is a famous tourist attraction that gathers visitors from within and outside Nigeria to witness the heritage of Hausa/Fulani culture at the Emir’s palace.
The Durbar features a colorful horse ride by the Emir, accompanied by district heads, traditional titleholders, and hundreds of their subjects, where they display ancient shows of strength and warrior traditions.
Besides the horse rides, the Sallah festival also witnesses the honor of homage by the Emir to the Government House (Hauwa Nassarawa) on the second day of Sallah, after the Governor would have paid a similar visit to the palace on Sallah day.
Coincidentally, while Governor Yusuf is scheduled to receive the homage of Muhammadu Sanusi and other second-class emirs at the Government House, The Guardian reliably gathered that Bayero would pay a similar visit to Federal Government delegations, including top members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from Kano, at a local venue yet to be unveiled.
As at Sunday night, the Kano Police Command in Kano was yet to issue an official statement on the rising apprehension in the State.
However, the newly posted Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, upon his arrival, pledged to ensure the protection of lives and property.
Meanwhile, the police had banned the celebration of the Sallah Durbar festival last year following the emirship crisis and the attendant tension of a possible security threat in the city.
