Jacob Ajakaiye, in Kano
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed the commitment of his administration to providing adequate funding for the Nigeria Police Force, in order to enable it function optimally in tackling the complex internal security challenges the nation is grappling with.
He said that the need to scale up funding to the police is imperative as the institution is critical to his administration’s quest to provide effective security for the country, as encapsulated in the three cardinal agenda of his administration.
President Buhari made this disclosure on Thursday while delivering an address at the passing out ceremony of the 2nd Regular Course of the Police Academy, Wudil, in Kano, where 628 new cadet officers were commissioned as assistant superintendents of police (ASPs).
The president reiterated his administration`s resolve to delivering on its cardinal promise to Nigerians which is centred on the enhancement of security, improvement of the economy, as well as fight against corruption.
“Let me remind you of this administration’s agenda and our promise to the people to provide security, ensure improvement of the economy and the fight against corruption. As we remain committed to deliver on this mandate the Nigeria police force remains the critical pillar of our domestic security agenda, so it is therefore important to have orderly, disciplined and modern police officers.
“The mission of this academy is to produce superior police officers that are equipped with knowledge and skills to police Nigeria with its unique complexities,” he stated.
The president used the occasion to congratulate the gradates for successfully completing their course, and also reminded them of the need to be diligent and uphold the principles of civil policies leveraging national and international best practices.
“I therefore seize this opportunity to congratulate the cadets of the 2nd regular course for successfully passing through the rigorous academic and professional training.
“With this milestone, I implore you to operate professionally, gallantly and courageously as we continue to make Nigeria a safe country for all law abiding citizens.
“You will soon commence your operational duties, therefore, you must always remember that Nigeria and indeed Nigerians are of interest to you and your assignment to protect their lives and property. This trust must be taken seriously while upholding the principle of civil policy leveraging national and international best practice.
“On our part we will continue to fund and support the Nigeria Police Force and its institutions to ensure you deliver in your mandate. This is why we created a dedicated ministry of police affairs,” he further disclosed.
President Buhari then commended the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, and the management of the academy for a job well-done which cumulated in the production of trained officers for the next generation.
In his address earlier, the Commandant of the Police Academy, Zanna M. Ibrahim, an Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, noted that the academy had introduced modern policing courses geared at meeting the contemporary challenges in internal policing in the country in the recent times.
“In order to offer courses that have more relevance with the challenges of policing the nation, the Academy will soon introduce courses bordering on cybercrime, gender issues, criminal justice and administration, public security, intelligence, as well as peace and conflict resolution, which will justify the upgrade of the academy and also contribute meaningfully to the minimization, if not the eradication of the security challenges facing the country,” he said.
