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Lagos State Gets New CP
The new Commissioner of Police deployed to Lagos State Police Command, Adegoke Fayoade, has assumed duty.
A statement by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this yesterday..
Fayoade is taking over from Idowu Owohunwa, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police and redeployed to the AIG Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
According to Hundeyin, Fayoade, an indigene of Ila-Orangun in Osun State, joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education/History from Lagos State University, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Lagos, and an LLB from the National Open University of Nigeria.
He had attended courses at home and abroad, some of which include: Criminal Justice Administration at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice, New York, USA; Adopting Community Policing Ethos in Training Academy, USIP, Washington DC, USA; Leadership and Senior Management Course, Police Staff College, Jos; Leveraging International Police Cooperation Organisations for Countering Violent Extremism, Abu-Dhabi; and the Senior Executive Course 45 at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos.
The police commissioner was a two-time winner of Best Divisional Police Officer in Africa, awarded in The Hague, Netherlands, and Nairobi, Kenya, in 2007 and 2013, while he was DPO in Ilupeju and Victoria Island, respectively.
“He was also a recipient of the Lagos State Government Honour Award for Excellence in 2013 while he was DPO Victoria Island; a two-time winner of the Meritorious Award on Crime Fighting from the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria; and a Youth Motivation Award from the National Association of Nigerian Students.
“As a younger officer, he served in Taraba, Akwa-Ibom, and Abia States. His other previous postings include: Commandant, Police Training College, Oyin-Akoko, Ondo State; Area Commander, Ota Area Command, Ogun State, where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award by the Oto Awori Community; DCP Maritime Command, Lagos; DCP Administration at Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos; and DCP State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lagos.
“Upon his promotion to the rank of Commissioner of Police in September 2022, he was deployed as CP Armament, Force Headquarters, Abuja, from where he proceeded to the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Jos, earning him Member of the National Institute (mni) in December 2023,” Hundeyin said.
The Lagos State Government enjoined Lagos residents to give CP Fayoade maximum support in the discharge of his duty of piloting the affairs of safety and security of lives and property in the State.
Fayoade has, however, assured the provision of watertight security during and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations in the State.
Fayoade gave the assurance yesterday while interacting with newsmen after taking over as the new CP in Lagos Command.
Fayoade took over the baton of leadership from DCP Waheed Ayinllara, who was the acting CP.
He said that the command was going to work in synergy with other security agencies to secure all areas of Lagos, through the air, land, and water.
He also promised to check the perennial traffic across the state.
“Residents of Lagos should go about their normal businesses, they should enjoy their Christmas and New Year.
“We are going to provide a watertight security that will protect lives and properties. Our men will be visible in all areas, and fun centres, and our patrol will be very effective. Christmas and New Year will be crime-free,” he assured.
He, however, commended the state governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, for his unwavering support and commitment to the issue of security and safety in the State.
He also appreciated his predecessor, AIG Idowu Owohunwa, and the Acting CP, DCP Waheed Ayillara, who held forth, sustained and improved on the established security architecture in the state.
Fayoade pledged his dedication, commitment and resolve to the principles of justice and community safety in Lagos.
According to him, the unalloyed commitment and that of the officers and men of the Command is to ensure the safety and security of the people of Lagos State.
“This will be achieved through practical, proactive policing, community engagement, strict and effective law enforcement strategies. I am determined to create a peaceful and crime-free environment in which all residents of Lagos can flourish.
“Our vision is to be a highly professional and trustworthy Police force that serves as a beacon of excellence in maintaining law and order.
“We aim to build a strong partnership with community members, local organisations and law enforcement agencies to foster a safe and secure environment for all and sundry,” he said.
The new CP noted that his vision for effective policing of Lagos will rest on some pillars, which include community engagement and crime prevention and reduction among others.
Speaking on kidnapping, cultism and robbery/traffic robbery, Fayoade said that a special focus will be on these crimes as they negatively impact the citizens and society.
He said that a specialised unit, made up of well-trained and properly-equipped personnel will be established to work closely with other law enforcement agencies that will confront these crimes.
The police boss said he will collaborate with the judiciary to ensure swift prosecution and conviction of criminals to serve as deterrence.
He assured that intelligence gathering capabilities will be strengthened, and the battle will be taken frontally to the criminal elements, hotspots and vulnerable areas.
He said that they would be in the aggressive pursuit of violators of the law and ensured the public space was dominated by the officers.
“It is pertinent to note that the clampdown on commercial motorcycle operators in prohibited areas, which has led to a drastic reduction of crime and accident cases will be sustained and intensified.
“Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers will give daily updates on the level of compliance in their areas of responsibility. Other measures will be placed to ensure smooth, total and strict compliance,” he assured.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.