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#ENDSARS: Time to embrace Police Reforms

Lately, many Nigerians, especially our youths, have been protesting unjustifiable brutality and other condemnable human rights violations by the now disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigerian Police Force.

It is overwhelmingly agreed that our citizens are right to make their voices heard on questions of inhuman and degrading treatments through these peaceful protests.

A scene of peaceful Nigerian youths gathering publicly in Abuja today to seek God’s intervention against police brutality in the nation should no doubt touch the conscience of all.
Ours is a constitutional democracy that guarantees freedom of expression and peaceful assemblies. Consistent with this truth, the Federal Government led by His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari and Governments of States impacted by these protests have been engaging constructively with our fellow citizens. This is the proper approach in a democracy. It is quite reassuring and should always be part of our democratic culture.
As an elected representative of a constituency that is impacted by the identified challenges highlighted by the #EndSARS protests, I identify wholly with citizens who protest peacefully. I have spoken in the past and now against criminal, unethical and violent actions against fellow citizens during errant policing operations. It is my hope and prayer that these actions will now stop for good.
I support all constructive, respectful and responsible engagements to stop human rights violations, and will always do so. Also, I believe that comprehensive Police reforms is the only sustainable path for our Police to genuinely earn the trust of our citizens and execute its constitutional mandate without self-inflicted negative prejudices and suspicions.
It is commendable that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has, as a necessary initial step, responded to overwhelming demands by disbanding the SARS unit of the Police.
As generally expected, he has also announced measures to reform the Police – #PoliceReforms – with critical and objective inputs from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and leading human rights activists.
It is important to encourage this process for the greater good of our nation. I am confident that all Distinguished Senators of the 9th Senate under the leadership of the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator Ahmad Lawan, will individually and collectively support and monitor this important process.
No doubt, the failings of a few have impugned the public image and standing of the Police, and justice must be adequately served in this regard.
It is however a generally acknowledged truth that majority of the men/women and officers of the force are patriots. For the unsung heroes in the Police who risk so much, including the comfort of their families and even their lives, to protect life and property, be assured that our citizens sincerely appreciate your sacrifices.
Be encouraged to serve even better because your fine character, patriotic service and the power of your positive examples are needed to redefine and reposition the Police going forward.
Democracy demands extraordinary vigilance. Through peaceful protests, our citizens have commendably shown their preference for a nation where Police brutality is not an accepted norm. This good point having been properly made and courageously accepted by the Government, let us now work together as comrades-in-arms to ensure that we make sustainable gains from the proposed reforms.
It is time to bring the public protests to an end and shift all positive energies and focus to the important task of collectively reforming our Police. That way, we would be able to ensure that the reforms meet public expectations and global best practices.
May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
SIGNED:
Senator Ovie Omo-Agege
(Deputy President of the Senate & Obarisi of Urhoboland
14th October, 2020

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Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan vs Shuaibu Abubakar Audu [OPEN LETTER] see details

I have been watching with keen interest the evolving political drama, drama, yes, I call it drama, in Kogi State and where the season film is going and when it will end. Many a time, the gladiators in the state throw brick bats at one another and in the process, the pebbles hit innocent standby constituents.

Of particular worrisome trend is the recent outburst by the Senator representing Kogi Central, Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan accusing, Honourable Shuaibu Abubakar Audu, the honourable Minister of Steel Development of low performance, the accusation that is uncalled for and to say the least, unwarranted.

Not only that, the Senator also accused the Minister of veering into the areas that are not directly under his supervision. She mischievously advised the Honourable Minister to limit and concentrate himself more on wooing foreign and local investors in the area of steel development and utilization, citing Ajaokuta Steel Rolling Mills as an example.
The Senator also deliberately forgot that there should and must be synergy between the ministry and all the agencies under it. if she still does not know this, she should go for orientation or briefs on her legislative matters vis a vis her oversight functions.
If the Senator does not know, let her be told that the Hon. Minister is a polished politician and a seasoned technocrat who has brought into the fore his vast background in life in the way and manner he has been discharging his duties as a minister holding one of the most sensitive ministries in the country.
Before the Senator graduates and bags her Pull Him Down Syndrome (PHD) from the University of Malice and Hate, she should know that the lane she is travelling in her political journey is not profitable nor rewarding at all. Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu is a forward looking Nigerian who would not want to be distracted from his professed determination to leave his job better than, he met it.
We have heard enough political mayhem in Kogi in recent past, let no one foist another crisis on the state through reckless, unrefined, and putrid comments. It will be recalled that mid last year, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did a minor reshuffle in his cabinet, the President found the Honourable Minister fit and proper just as he was given a clean bill to continue with his good job in the ministry.
As the year 2027 inches by, Senator Natasha should for goodness sake stay on her lane and stop meandering into other lanes in order to keep Kogi clean of clashes. Not only this, she should train her tongue to avoid unnecessary vituperation. It should be noted as well that nobody has monopoly of verbal attack against other people, let the Senator check herself so that she will not be getting stones back as she throws pebbles.
A word is enough for the wise.
Concerned people and leaders of thought in Kogi State should call the Senator to order. It is high time she knew that Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu is a tree planted by the Almighty Allah that cannot be uprooted by any mortal. political differences or affiliations must not blindfold individuals from reality on ground.
Fading politicians who don’t have reputation must not besmear those who have pretty pedigree and want to keep it.
Musa Wada, a public affairs analyst sent this piece from Abuja

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Open letter to the Executive Governor of Kogi State, Alhaji Ahmed Ododo Usman over achievements in one year

I am writing this open letter to you to commend you for your excellent performances so far in your short stay in office as the governor of our dear state. Indeed your performance so far has vindicated those of us who even before your assumption of office stayed true to our believe that you are our best foot forward to make our state greater.

You have not disappointed us so far because even your greatest critics and political opponents would not disagree with the majority views in the state that indeed Kogi state is working. Your leadership has brought within a short time to the state developments in all its physicality. I can say with pride that your administration is now regarded as the end to an era of bad governance to the beginning of an era where the people count first and this is justified by your policies and programmes implemented to bring succour to our people. The prompt payments of salaries and pensions to civil servants and retirees of the state government and your social welfare targeted at making the aged live comfortably in their old age and your programmes for youth development are a testament that your administration is for the people,by the people and of the people of Kogi state.

I commend you for making sure that peace justice and development is not an exclusive development for any particular zone of the state but for all. I want you to continue in your great effort of uniting our state with your all inclusive deliverance of democratic dividends to all the parts of the state this is because in history no state has achieved sustainable development without a leader with vision,strategic plan and compassion for all its people.
We have seen so far that your administration is the very testament to the type of leadership we have all yearned for in the state. I commend you also for not going after any political opponent because you know that your performance will indeed silence them all and I believe you shall overcome because a pessimist is a well informed optimist.
Thank you for giving us the hope that our state is going to be great again under your administration. We are confident that going forward more developments will come to our state by your inspiring leadership.
Long live the governor of Kogi state.
Long live Kogi state,
Long live the Federal republic of Nigeria.
Hon John Lawal
Coordinator Tinubu support team

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OPEN LETTER TO THE HONOURABLE MINISTER OF SPECIAL DUTIES AND INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS COMMENDING HIM FOR HIS PERFORMANCE AND STERLING LEADERSHIP QUALITIES IN OFFICE IN THE LAST ONE YEAR

We are writing this open letter to you patriotically commending you for your excellent performances and your sterling leadership qualities which has transformed and reformed your Ministry by changing its narratives for the best in the last one year of your tenure as the Minister of special duties and intergovernmental Affairs.

We have in our determination to peer review the performances of the appointees of our renewed hope President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu especially the Minister’s found your leadership of the Ministry so inspiring because it translated into making the Ministry one of the best ran Ministries, departments and agencies of government in this dispensation for which we are very proud. We also commend you for not blowing your trumpet but instead allowing your work to speak for you in all its ramifications. The agencies and departments under your Ministry are now known to be working assiduously in fulfilling it’s mandates by the launching of the strategic plans document which is already by your body language and leadership being implemented religiously.

You are indeed the pride of your people, the Gbagi’s nation in the political scene because you have shown that your leadership and political leitmotives is to work hard at all time to bring about positive changes in your areas of authority and this is exemplified by the performance of the National lottery trust fund which is now visible in the lives of the citizens by it’s excellent interventions in critical areas of needs in all part of the country, the Nigerian lottery regulatory commission which is working very hard in the issuances of licenses to deserving agents thereby increasing the revenue to the federal government from the proceeds of gaming and the National lottery trust fund that is today a strong institutions regulating the lottery sector of the country.
We commend you for your leadership which deals in hope.
Finally, going forward we are assured of more excellent performances from you especially as in this part of the world it is known that “the day that would be good is known from it’s mornings”. Your performance so far has justified the reason why our President who is known to be a great recruiter of leaders recruited you for this assignment. We thank you for being your people’s pride. Accept our congratulations.
Yours sincerely
Hon John Lawal
Coordinator Tinubu support team
……aa

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