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Solomon Arase: Getting It Right At The Police Service Commission* By Cletus Agada

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Solomon Arase: Getting It Right At The Police Service Commission* By Cletus Agada

*Solomon Arase: Getting It Right At The Police Service Commission*

By Cletus Agada

 

 

 

The intelligence czar and former Inspector General of Police who brought so much innovation and creativity into policing while he held sway as the nation’s number one Cop has brought his signature of excellence to the administration of the Police Service Commission. Solomon Arase has dedicated his entire career to the advancement of social justice, safety, security and well-being of others as he joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1981, a year after he graduated from the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University Zaria with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science. His adult life has been lived in service to fatherland and humanity.

 

 

 

 

Like a man who saw tomorrow, Mr Arase spent every of his free and not-so-free time developing himself, acquiring knowledge and skills that would eventually distinguish him from his peers. While combining work with studies, Mr Arase obtained a Law degree from the University of Benin and a Master’s Degree from the University of Lagos. He, by every standard, is a role model for young men and women who desire a successful career in public service.

 

Solomon Arase: Getting It Right At The Police Service Commission*
By Cletus Agada

 

 

Slow but steady, his promotions came and everywhere he found himself, he was always a square peg in a square hole due to his over-preparedness. As Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, he was a super cop remembered for his work ethic, commitment to the welfare of his personnel and crime-bursting intelligence skills. His talent was never hidden. He also served as Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to Mr Sunday Ehindero and two others when they occupied the office of the IGP between 2002 and 2008.

 

 

 

It is indeed a record to serve three different IGPs as PSO and Mr Arase achieved this feat without blemish. This probably was the best preparations he got for the office which he later occupied at the pinnacle of his career when he became the 18th indigenous Inspector General of the Nigerian Police Force. He had the opportunity to learn from the successes and mistakes of those before him and also had the time to think of what needed to be done to have a better force if given the opportunity.

 

 

 

No wonder, he ringed several positive changes as IGP and greatly improved the image of the Force, most especially in the area of respect for human rights and obedience to the rule of law, two key indicators that the Force had performed below average before his time. He established the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IGP – IRT) that burst several crimes in the country, most notably, the arrest of the notorious kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike popularly known as Evans.

 

 

 

 

To address the issue of indiscipline and misconduct among men and officers of the Force, he also established the IGP Complaint Response Unit (IGP – CRU). It brought sanity to the force and reduced rights abuse and police brutality to its barest minimum as officers knew the consequences of any of their actions that went contrary to the rules of engagement.

 

 

 

On June 21, 2016, even though not tired, Mr Arase retired from Service after 35 years of meritorious and eventful service by Public Service rules. Like a South American professional football player who would go back to his country to end his career and impact on the younger generation after many years of professional football in Europe, Mr Arase went straight to his home State of Edo to assist the government. He was appointed to chair a task force responsible for the implementation of a State Anti-Community Development Association Law. This is the height of humility as the man who once controlled all the security apparatus of the nation’s Police Force could bend backwards just to give back to his community. He was also consulting for the European Centre for Election Support, and the Human Rights Centre at the University of Oslo and dedicated more time to his work with the Committee on Prevention of Torture, Geneva Switzerland which is currently developing a universal protocol on Investigative Techniques.

 

 

 

 

The golden fish has no hiding place in the river, so they say and on January 24, 2023, former President Mohammadu Buhari recalled Mr Arase from his retirement from public service and appointed him the Chairman of the Police Service Commission.
The Commission was established by an Act of the National Assembly in 2001 and is saddled with oversight responsibilities and has the power to appoint dismiss, promote and discipline officers of the Nigerian Police Force.

 

 

 

 

A trusted, stable and reliable hand, the appointment of Mr Arase elicited joy in many quarters, most especially among stakeholders in the security sector. His first task in office was to create a harmonious working relationship between the commission and the Police Force. A dispute had broken out between his predecessor and the then IGP over some irreconcilable differences. He promised to build a new police force that’s attractive to the younger generation and wasted no time in putting his hands on the plough.

 

 

 

 

He identified the recruitment process as one of the biggest problems confronting the Force and moved immediately to change the narrative. He engaged the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB to conduct Computer Based Test, CBT for applicants to test their abilities. Mr Arase said the police need “personnel with mental mobility and fertile minds to excel and have a good working relationship with the public”. He said the nation must strive to build a police force that’s technology-driven and knowledge-based as that’s the only way to confront the security challenges facing the country. He insists that under his watch, admission into the Police Academy (POLAC/University) Wudil will be strictly by merit and that slots would not be shared by State Governors and other politicians.

 

 

 

 

A well-exposed former police officer who served on an international Peace-keeping assignment as part of the Nigerian contingent to the United Nations Mission in Namibia and a member of the International Bar Association, Mr Arase is conversant with international best practices as regards modern policing and has shown his readiness and commitment to domesticating those practices here at home.

 

 

 

 

He has promised that as long as he remains chairman of the commission, no single personnel, whether junior or senior who has no disciplinary issues would be allowed to stagnate in a rank. This sounds like great news for me those who have remained on the same rank for almost ten years. With the steps taken so far within a short period, most especially his commitment to the welfare of officers and men of the Force, and the elimination of corruption which has continued to ridicule the relentless efforts of our gallant officers, a new hope is rising and the morale of the personnel is high.

The task of building a civilian-friendly police force that can be trusted by the populace on issues of internal security rests squarely on the shoulders of Mr Arase and his men at the Police Service Commission and with the steps taken so far, Nigerians should expect a 21st century Police Force that enjoys the trust and confidence of all in the not too distant future.

Agada is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja.

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ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

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ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

 

 

 

 

Sahara Weekly Reports That The Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa), the philanthropic initiative of the Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu (CFR, CON), has flagged off the construction of a N280 million Abdul Samad Rabiu Integrated Publishing House for Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. This project will enhance the capacity of the University from basic press status to a modern, integrated publishing house to encompass publishing, print production, and other related diversified services. The one-storey building facility will serve as a laboratory and studio for training students of communications, media studies, and allied disciplines as well as other disciplines.

 

 

 

ASR AFRICA FLAGS OFF CONSTRUCTION OF A N280 MILLION INTEGRATED PUBLISHING HOUSE FOR BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA

 

 

 

 

At the groundbreaking event, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ademola S. Tayo, expressed satisfaction at the nomination by ASR Africa, under its Tertiary Education Grant Scheme. He added that the choice of the project was a response to the vision to take the Mass Communications Department of the University to a whole new level. According to him, the university’s vision is to produce young men and women capable of critical thinking, and problem-solvers capable of proffering innovative solutions to problems of everyday life, be it social, political, and cultural.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In his response, Dr. Ubon Udoh, the Managing Director of ASR Africa, expressed his delight at the University’s choice of establishing an Integrated Publishing House. He added that when information is appropriately applied, human society is empowered to liberate itself from limitations and attain its full potential. Dr Udoh reiterated the commitment of the Chairman of ASR Africa, Abdul Samad Rabiu to supporting quality education within the tertiary education system in Nigeria and urged the institution to focus on the sustainability of this noble project. He also reiterated the importance of cooperation and collaboration between the university and the contractor for the timely delivery of the publishing house.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About ASR Africa

ASR Africa is the brainchild of African Industrialist, Philanthropist, and Chairman of BUA Group, Abdul Samad Rabiu, the Abdul Samad Rabiu Africa Initiative (ASR Africa) was established in 2021 to provide sustainable, impact-based, homegrown solutions to developmental issues affecting Health, Education and Social Development within Africa.

 

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST!

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST! by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST!

by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

 

 

It’s no longer story that the preparation for the EndSars carnage went on for a while before its actual implementation.

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, PLEASE, ACT FAST!
by Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi.

 

But lack of proactive approach on the part of some people in the government of the day became a recipe for the actualisation of the dastardly act. History is about to be repeated, but I do not expect this to happen under the watch of President Bola Tinubu.

I do not say that people should not be allowed to protest if they have any reason to do so. But given the fact that the country does not have the capacity to separate genuine protesters from hoodlums, unnecessary protest should be curtailed.

Some people may be surprised that I call it unnecessary protest.

Yes, it’s unnecessary because this government has never displayed any act of rigidity since it took the mantle of leadership. It responds even to mere comments on social media expressly within. It is clear to every discerning and positive citizen that this government has become one of the most engaging one since 1999.

It has engaged with the organised labour on the minimum wage and it’s being passed to law. It has won autonomy for local government councils. It is on course for disbursements of students’ loans. It has given tax waiver for certain commodities and goods. You only protest against a government that is either passive, incorrigible or rigid. How can a government that is barely a year in office be protested against even when it has surpassed many of the past ones within one year? That cannot be called a protest but a mischief.

President Bola Tinubu should not be deceived by those who harp on funny fundamental human rights to cause mayhem. America is the country they use as a reference point. But American government does not take untoward attitude from anyone. If you want some you will be given some. There is no way for avoidable discomfort.

Kenyans are licking their wounds at the moment. We must not allow our own case to get to that point. I believe that many of those who are planning for the protest are children who do not know the implications of such a protest. Those who are old among them are those who would gladly set their universities’ libraries on fire in the name of students’ demonstration just because water tap didn’t run at the expected time.

Please, begin to show us that we have someone in charge of our affairs. Be more presidential Your Excellency. We know that it’s those who lost elections in 2023 and those they have recruited among those who think you have not compensated them among your conditional supporters that are behind the protest.

Please, refuse to be blackmailed. No matter what you do, there is but one mind in those people and it is turned against you. Please do everything humanly possible for PH REFINERY to work. Support Dangote Refinery to get crude oil locally.

We must not be importing fuel forever. Therefore, you should beware of the sinister motive of the August 1 planned protest, Your Excellency. May you continue to succeed and may all patriotic Nigerians continue to progress in all spheres of life in the mighty name of God.

Comrade Oladimeji Odeyemi is an entrepreneur, opinion leader and a security analyst.

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Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training

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Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training.

 

 

The Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) begins her Annual Mandatory Training Exercise for the year 2024 for Law Officers across the state.

The exercise, which will run for a duration of six weeks brings together officers from the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority ( Lastma ), the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps ( Kai ), the Vehicle Inspection Service ( Vis ), the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps ( Lnsc ) and the Central Business District ( Cbd ) law Officers.

In her opening remarks, the CEO / Head of Leti Mrs Abiola Adeyinka emphasised on the importance of continual training for Law Officers to ” be at their best” and to ” embrace the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge.” she stressed the need for professionalism, integrity, and respect for the Rule of Law in the discharge of their duties as respectable officers of the state of excellence. The training program will cover a wide range of topics to include:
* Traffic management and Enforcement.
* Public safety and security.
* Human right and law enforcement.
* Conflict resolution etc.
* Interpersonal relations to mention but few.

Mrs Adeyinka reteirated the State government commitment to ensuring that Leti delivers on its mandate of providing high quality training to Law enforcement Officers in the state.

According to the Ceo, “The Governor of Lagos State has pledged the full support of his administration to Leti in its efforts to enhance the professionalism and effectiveness of Law enforcement in Lagos State. The annual mandatory training exercise is a testament to the Lagos State government commitment to ensuring a safe, secure and well- managed environment for all residents.

Law Enforcement Training Institute ( LETI ) Commences Annual Mandatory Training.

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