ADDRESS
BY HIS EXCELLENCY, MUHAMMADU BUHARI, GCFR, PRESIDENT, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE
ARMED FORCES OF THE FEDERATION AT THE CEREMONIAL PARADE MARKING THE GRAND
FINALE OF THE 2016 NIGERIA POLICE WEEK HELD ON 1ST APRIL, 2016 AT
THE EAGLE SQUARE, ABUJA
Protocol
Today’s event represents a
significant and commendable step by the Police leadership to preserve the rich
history and tradition of the Nigeria Police. It also marks the day when
the Nigeria Police family across the country gives true meaning to the
concept of community-driven policing.
2. Beyond these, the Police Week
celebration, the climax of which we are witnessing today, presents a unique
opportunity for the nation to unite with the Police in remembering and
celebrating fallen heroes and heroines of the service who have gallantly laid
down their lives in the line of protecting citizens and guaranteeing peace and
internal security of our beloved nation.
3. In addition, on this occasion, the
Police leadership and indeed the nation at large will acknowledge and honour
serving police personnel that have demonstrated professional excellence,
patriotism, courage and extraordinary zeal as they strive to deliver their
Mandate.
4. Ladies and gentlemen, effective
policing of a community is dependent on the level of security consciousness of
the citizens and the strength of the synergy that exists between the Policing
agencies and the community. This explains why it is generally acknowledged that
no Police service in the world, no matter how well motivated, equipped or
trained can successfully operate without the acceptance and support of the
citizens.
5. The need for a police system that is
driven by community input in Nigeria has even become more imperative
considering our current national security challenges in which Kidnapping, armed
robbery, murder, transnational crimes, terrorism and other organized crimes
have evolved to threaten our national values and developmental strides.
6. It is in acknowledgement of this
that this administration has rested the internal security architecture of the
country on three major platforms. First is to restore the lost police primacy
by enhancing the budgetary, human, institutional and operational capacity of
the policing service and giving a new orientation and direction to the the
Nigeria Police. Second is to sensitize citizens to their crucial roles within
the national policing system, and third is to frontally address social factors
like illiteracy, unemployment, poverty, drug abuse, and peer group influence which
trigger criminality within our communities.
7. It is in furtherance to these, that
the Federal Government approved the recruitment of additional 10,000 police
personnel and also approved funds for the take-off of the exercise. The
Presidency has been assured that the exercise will commence under a transparent
and credible process with effect from today 1st April, 2016. Aside
addressing the national challenge of youth unemployment, this initiative will
bridge the chronic manpower gap inherited by this regime in the Nigeria Police.
In carrying out this exercise, I expect the Nigeria Police to put
national interest in the forefront so that it will be in line with the reforms
agenda being pursued under the Ministry of Interior.
8. I am pleased to know that in
furtherance of the integration and reforms programme of the new Ministry of
Interior, that a Ministry of Interior Services Games is being planned for this
year. The games which is to involve the Nigeria Police, Immigration,
Prisons, Federal Fire Service, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps
and the civilian staff of the Ministry, when held, will not only engender a
sense of unity and camaraderie among the Services and civilians staff of the
Ministry but will also enhance operational synergy amongst them. The
games should also provide another opportunity for identification of high
caliber sportsmen and women for Nigeria’s national team.
9. Furthermore, the Federal Government
has funded the procurement of over 1,000 Patrol Vehicles and other logistics to
strengthen the operational capacity of the Safer Highway Patrol Scheme and
support the deployment of police personnel towards security stabilization and
restoration of civil authority in the North East.
10. In addition, the Federal Government
has initiated actions aimed at giving effect to the concept of citizens’-led
policing and strengthening the technical intelligence capacity of the service
as a strategic national approach towards addressing the challenge of highly
organized crime on a sustainable basis.
11. No nation thrives without security,
and neither can a nation lay claim to security without an efficient policing
service. Consequently, this administration shall continue to support
initiatives that will guarantee the reform and modernization of the Nigeria
Police.
12. In this regard, no citizen should be
in doubt of the firm determination of the Federal Government to bequeath to
this nation a reformed, re-oriented, well trained, well-equipped and highly
motivated policing service. This dream can, however, only be attained with the
support of the citizens. This remains a sacred civic responsibility which all
citizens owe this country, especially at this time that we are re-energising
our counterterrorism initiatives and working assiduously to protect the
citizens from fear of crime and guarantee the safety and security of all
Nigerians.
13. Let me at this juncture commend the
Inspector-General of Police for sustaining this great policing tradition and
for advancing the policing vision of the Federal Government through the various
innovative policing strategies he has emplaced. There is no doubt that the
leadership he has shown has defined pathways for the restoration of police
primacy in Nigeria.
14. In concluding, I must clearly recognize that the nation
expects so much from the Police. It remains my expectation, therefore, that the
annual Police Week Celebrations will continue to present an opportunity for the
service to re-evaluate and entrench new strategies that will reassure the
citizens of its capacity and willingness to address their apprehension of
crime.
15. It is on this note that I
congratulate the Nigeria Police for successfully hosting the 2016 edition of
the Police Week and for capping up the event with this beautiful and unique
parade. As you march out to continue your arduous law enforcement
functions, it is my prayer that God continues to protect and guide you.
16. May God continue to bless and
protect the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
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