News
#EnDSARS: Mere change of name, ‘ll not end Police brutality against citizens – Hon. Oke
The Member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency of Osun State under the umbrella of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Rep. Busayo Wole Oke on Wednesday said that the mere change of name of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad SARS of the Nigeria Police Force NPF Unit to a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) squad would not end Police brutality against the citizens of Nigeria as being envisaged
In a statement he made available to news men in Abuja in reaction to the change of name of the defunct outfit by the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mohammed Abubakar Adamu , the lawmaker pointed out that Police brutality against citizen was not only rooted in SARS or FSARS but a total haulage of Nation’s policing system .
Rep Oke who is also the Chairman, House Committee on Public Accounts stated that both the Federal Government and the Police authorities should look deeply into certain key areas such as discipline and welfare of the personnel of force passionately
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According to him, ” Police personnel must be earning a living wage, increase their salary so that they are adequately compensated for protecting lives and properties of citizens, give them decent accommodation and adequate medical care.
“A situation where other Para-military personnel earn more than the police should be discouraged, an average Police Officer work more than a Military personnel, yet underpaid.
“The Police should be removed from the Pension contribution scheme just like the Military and other Security Services Community or in the alternative the Federal Government should bear the cost of their own contributions to the scheme
“Budgetary allocation to the Police Force from the Headquarters to the Divisional levels should be implemented to the latter; a Police man should live in a decent accommodation, have access to sound medical care , good mode of transportation , appear decent and good uniform to be provided by the government
“There must be subsidy for the education of at least two Children and a maximum of four children, if the government can do all these things, we will have a committed and disciplined Police Force. of our choice, SARS or SWAT is just an appellation”, he stressed.
The lawmaker commended the nation’s youths and other Nigerians who were in the forefront of the #EndSARS campaign for their courage and patriotism.
He however, appealed to those still protesting on the streets not to be violent just as he urged the police to avoid manhandling protestors, adding that “the protesters are only exercising their constitutional rights and must not be subjected to any form of inhuman treatment.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Governor of Katsina State, Malam Dikko Umar Radda, over the passing of his mother, Hajiya Safarau Umar Baribari.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Edwin Olofu, Dr. Ganduje described Hajiya Safarau’s death as a profound loss that has left a deep void in the hearts of her family, friends, and the people of Katsina State.
Extending his sympathies, the APC National Chairman condoled with Governor Radda, the bereaved family, and the entire people of Katsina State during this difficult time.
He acknowledged the remarkable contributions of the late Hajiya Safarau and prayed for Almighty Allah (SWT) to grant her eternal rest in Jannatul Firdaus while strengthening the family to bear this irreplaceable loss.
Dr. Ganduje urged Governor Radda and others affected to find comfort in the cherished memories and enduring legacy of the deceased.
Reaffirming the APC’s support, the former Kano State governor assured the people of Katsina State of the party’s solidarity in their time of grief and prayed that Allah (SWT) grant the departed soul Al-Jannah Firdaus. Ameen.
The wife of Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), Hajia Aishat has offered cash and food items worth millions of naira to widows and vulnerable women across Dekina local government Councils, promises to take similar gesture across the nine local government in Kogi East.
The exercise which was tagged: “Widows Empowerment”, saw the Senator’s wife distributing cash and food items to cushion the effect of Ramadan.
Items distributed are bags of rice bags of salt, cartons of seasoning, maggi etc, which were evenly distributed to widows and vulnerable women across party lines.
A beneficiary who spoke with our correspondent at Odu in Dekina Local Government Council, Hon Fitumi thanked Hajia for her continuous effort in coming through for widows and vulnerable regularly.
She acknowledged similar gesture by Senator Isah Jibrin (Echocho), a fortnight ago at Ankpa when youths in their numbers from three Local Government Areas were trained in Agriculture and empowered, stressing that people are now living testimony to the effort of the lawmaker.
“”We are aware of several intervention projects, empowerment and developmental projects of Senator Echocho and we are not surprised seeing Hajia toeing the similar path.
“The distribution of food items and cash today is not only a rekindling of hope to the beneficiaries, but an encouragement that despite their condition, they were not forgotten.
Hajia Labran, and other APC Women leaders who spoke on behalf of women, applauded Hajia Aisha Echocho and pray Allah to strengthen her to carry on, urged others to emulate her sustainable initiatives.
The women advised other political office holders to emulate what is good and just, which they believed would strengthen the party.
As part of the activities to celebrate the golden anniversary of the University of Calabar, the wife of the President of the Senate, Mrs Ekaette Unoma Godswill Akpabio was on Saturday, March 22, 2025 conferred with an honorary doctorate degree in Education Management.
The ceremony held at the main campus of the institution in Calabar, Cross River State also saw the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike awarded the honorary doctorate degree in Law.
Other awardees included Major General Moses Bisong Obi (rtd) (Doctor of Peace and Conflict Studies) and Supreme Court Justice, Emmanuel Akomaye Obi (Doctor of Law).
In her acceptance speech after the conferment by the 15th Emir of Kano and Chancellor of the University, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the wife of the Senate President, Mrs Akpabio thanked the Governing Council and Management of the University for finding her worthy of the honour.
A statement by the Special Assistant on Media/communication to the President of the Senate, Anietie Ekong quoted Mrs Akpabio as saying “I am happy to be honoured with this award from the prestigious University of Calabar that I have heard so much about from my dear husband, an alumnus of this great institution.
“I was wondering when I will join him as a great Malabress and that day has come and I am grateful to the University for this honour,” she said.
Mrs Akpabio promised to work with other awardees especially the Minister of the FCT to provide infrastructural assistance to the university.
In a citation the University extolled Mrs Akpabio for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts towards uplifting the lives of women and the vulnerable of the society through her non governmental organisation, the Family Life Enhancement Initiative.
She was also recognized as a Champion of women’s rights and as one who used her position as the First Lady of Akwa Ibom State to fight for the inclusion of more women in governance.
On his part, Chief Wike said he was honoured to be among the recipients of award. He extolled the Visitor of the University, President Bola Tinubu for working tirelessly to promote tertiary education in the country.
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