Nation

Experts Seek Collaboration With Academics, Security Professionals

Published

2 years ago

February 13, 2023

The Institute of Security, Nigeria, has urged the academic community and security professionals to work together to re-examine and re-evaluate the threats and vulnerabilities facing the nation’s security architecture.
The President of the institute, Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, gave the advice at the 15th International Security conference 2023, on Saturday in Lagos.
The theme of this year’s conference is: National Security Environment and Challenges; Enhancing Security Services for Sustainable Development.
According to him, such collaboration will also go a long way in examining threats to the environment and consequently determine the level of challenges and solutions.
He said that the security practitioners provide security and protection services with the aid of God-given expertise and skills which remain the major tools.
Ogundipe said the theme of the conference was well suited and timely, and to him personally, intriguing.
“We appreciate the complement of some of the best security experts and professionals this country ever produced; well cultured, with excellent character.
“It is worrisome though that we still face security challenges as professionals, where a few among us have by their misconduct brought distain and disrespect to the profession”, he said.
Ogundipe, the immediate past vice chancellor of the University of Lagos, noted that such development had remained a grave concern to the security professionals and the nation at large.
According to him, it is proper to hold the view that those instances of professional misconduct does not represent all the security professionals and experts in the nation.
“We must teach the next generation to act professionally and play a central role in setting the parameters for them that will have the formidable task of safeguarding and securing the nation in the new and challenging context in which we now live.
“There is no other profession that is uniquely positioned to provide internal and territorial security, protection and defence, other than security professionals.
“Every negative ethical behaviour needs to be condemned. The instances of alleged corrupt practices and professional misconducts constitute a minute fraction of members of the security profession”, he said.
The former VC urged Nigerians to repose confidence in security professionals, while they hold them to account and report cases of misconduct.
According to him, the country is on the verge of conducting another general election, hence it is the responsibility of the security professionals to guarantee the security of lives and properties in the country.

Ogundipe further said that there was the need for citizens to also do all that was legitimate within their abilities and be motivated by the desire to find solutions to the many security challenges facing the country.

“All hands must be on deck and all arms of government have to do all that is possible to contribute ideas and actions that will birth the solutions needed to secure lives and properties of Nigerians as envisaged in section 14 (2)(b) of the 1999 constitution.

“It states that ‘the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary welfare of government’.

“I, therefore, believe that the professional actions will fully resolve this complex national security issues and frizzle all forms of corruption facing our country”, Ogundipe stated.

In his welcome address, Mr Adebayo Akinade, Deputy President of the institute, noted that the conference represented a milestone in the effort to create awareness among members of the general public and the law enforcement agencies.

According to him, one of the objectives of the institute is to promote and develop security science, technology and practice in all its ramifications.

He said it also conducts research, collects and disseminates information on security subjects among others.

The Deputy President said there was the need to search for the remote and immediate causes of security challenges, security architecture and other breakdown in the social fabrics of the society.

“There is the need to reflect on the policies which can be put in place to correct these anomalies and restore the lost order in our communities and societies.

“It is only when this order is restored that progress can be made to improve the decayed social standard and in the security trends in the nation.

“The papers to be discussed in the conference today will highlight some of these problems with the possibility of finding solutions to them.

“As we move into the 21st century, let us together find the blueprint of improving the security environment to ensure security, stability, unity, progress, peace and order in our society”, Akinade said.

In his remark, Chairman of the occasion, Prince Olu Bajowa, said the country’s nascent democratic experiment was still occuring with tremendous challenges.

According to him, the country can not remain impervious to the overriding task of democratic consolidation, which must be anchored on the rule and supremacy of the law.

“We have obligation to the nation to mentor the younger members of the security profession. The duty is deliberate and sincere mentorship, which is the only way the ideal security practitioners will progressively place the next generation in the right track.

“We also owe ourselves the duty to preserve the security space for the next generation of security professionals and for these reasons, we must shun all forms of unprofessional and unethical practices that may cast the security professionals in bad light and undermine our place in the society,” he said.

The Tide’s source reports that the high point of the event was the award of distinguished fellowship to eight persons, while 26 professionals were awarded professional fellowship.

Nation

NUJ backs proposed strike by Lagos-owned media workers

Published

2 days ago

January 10, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos State Council has thrown its weight behind the proposed industrial action by the Lagos State-owned media organisations.

The proposed industrial action is set to begin on Monday, Jan. 13.

In a letter jointly signed by the Lagos State NUJ Chairman, Mr Adeleye Ajayi, and the Secretary, Mr Tunde Olalere, on Thursday, the union expressed its support for the strike.

The letter, dated Jan. 9, was addressed to the General Manager of Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja.

The NUJ, along with the Radio, Television, Theatre and Arts Worker’s Union (RATTAWU) of the Lagos State Broadcasting Corporations, including Lagos Television, Radio Lagos/EKO FM, and Lagos Traffic Radio, had announced the proposed strike.

They said this was in response to the non-payment of the minimum wage and integration into the Oracle database by the state government.

The union leadership stated that it was fully aware of the several discussions, congresses, and notices given to the state government regarding the need for state-owned media house workers to be integrated into the Oracle database.

“You will agree with the union that these were enough notices given to address the issues at stake,” the letter read in part.

The leaders recalled that an initial 10-day ultimatum was issued, followed by a 21-day ultimatum, and finally, a seven-day final ultimatum.

“It is imperative that our members working in the state-owned media organisations should also enjoy the new minimum wage like other workers of the state,” the NUJ stated.

The union further noted that the revenue generated by state-owned media organisations could no longer sustain the payment of workers’ salaries and benefits, highlighting the urgent need for the state government to intervene for their survival.

“The welfare of our dear members is paramount and this is why the union deems it fit to support and pledge solidarity with our members going on strike,” the union stated.

The union also acknowledged the commitment and dedication of protesting workers to their duties in propagating state government policies and activities, stating that such dedication should be rewarded by the state government.

“The union, therefore, advises that only an amicable resolution and approval of the demands of our members can stop the industrial action,” the union stated.

Nation

New Rivers CP assures of non partisan …moves against human rights violation

Published

1 week ago

January 1, 2025

The Tide

The new Rivers state commissioner of police ,CP Olugbenga Adepoju has assured that his administration will remain apolitical in the discharge of his duties in the state.

Adepoju who officially assumed office last Friday as the 47th police commissioner of police stated this during his median press briefing held at state police command over the weekend in Port Harcourt.

He assured that under his watch as the police helmsman in the state his administration will ensure protection of human rights and warn that any police officer who violate the rights of people will be sanctioned in accordance with the police act and
urged Rivers people to hold the Police accountable, share view of people with police.

“We are committed to transparency.

My priority is to ensure safety, security and welfare of all residents in the state.
Being an economic hub of the country,the state faces challenges of crisis from political interest, economic sabotage illegal oil bunkering.

“I will ensure Rivers people sleep with their two eyes close. I have what it takes to keep the command safe.We do Intelligence gathering work with community and public engagement to proactively prevent crime.We have meetings and seminars with members of the public.”

“We will enforce discipline and ensure zero tolerance for corruption.I have my team.I will put them to work.There will be improvement on the part of my officers.

“We will Combat youth restiveness and cultism, oil theft, environmental crime. we will work with other agencies to ensure is reduce to the barest minimum.

“We will enhance response time and police visibility. We do all we can for our men to respond to distress call in time. We will deploy more men in metro. More visibility policing.

“We will address land grabbing issues.We will work with our legal team. If we have to partake in any execution order, we will look at it critically.

“We will enforce all vehicle regulations with human face. Especially tinted glasses. We may excuse those that have it from the factory. Either the vehicle will be impounded, the tinted glass removed or they are charged to court.

“Our men will not violate rights of citizens. If there is any violation of rights, it should be reported to the police for necessary actions. Our men will be more professional and polite to the people “he stated

CP Adepoju however urged residents of the state,the media and all necessary stakeholders to give the Police the relevant cooperation and support for effective policing of the society.

Akujobi amadi

Nation

Police invites assaulted female victim, assures of protection

Published

1 week ago

January 1, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Police Command says it has acknowledged a social media report on alleged assault of a lady by police officers along Evo Road, Port Harcourt.

A statement signed by the police public Relations Officer (PPRO),SP Grace Iringe Koko in Port Harcourt, yesterday said the police acknowledged the report of such alleged assault and invite the lady involved to visit the command so as to enable the command to commence investigation with a view to apprehend the officers involved.

“We urge the lady involved to visit the Police Headquarters to enable a thorough investigation into the matter. This step will assist us in identifying the officers involved and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken.”

“The Command appeals to members of the public to cooperate with police officers during stop-and-search operations, as these measures are essential in combating crime and maintaining security.”

“We also encourage residents to report any misconduct by police officers through the following channels:
• PPRO: 0816 135 5218
• Control Room: 08032003514, 08098880134
• Complaint Response Unit (CRU): 07057605256, 08120822987, 07072323049, 07057605209”

“Your cooperation is vital in helping us maintain accountability and professionalism within the Rivers State Police Command.
Thank you.”

Akujobi Amadi