The Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, has harped on the need for implementation of actionable strategies towards effective security, peaceful coexistence and the welfare of all citizens.
Gaidam said security occupies a prime position in the government’s 8-point agenda, and the need to implement actionable strategies towards effective security, peaceful coexistence, and the welfare of all citizens.
Speaking at the conference for the Nigeria Police Public Relations Officers (PROs) and Public Relations (PR) experts with the theme: “Enhanced Strategic Communication: Panacea for Effective Policing andPeaceful Coexistence in Nigeria” in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, Gaidam maintained that security occupies a prime position in the federal government’s eight-point agenda.
The ministry’s Deputy Director (Press), Bolaji Kazeem, in a press statement on Thursday in Abuja, said the minister, in an address read by the Director Police Inspectorate Department, Mrs. Bola Blessing Aderele, said effective policing and peaceful coexistence were critical requirements for societal growth and shared prosperity.
“Overthe years, people with little or no personal contact with police form perceptions, even though they are shaped vicariously, through what they hear from friends, family and what they see in the news and the social media. This poses challenges for the police, as it contributes to the image of the policeand perception of police effectiveness,” the minister stated.
He stressed that enhanced strategic communication provides the police the needed tool to re-write the aforementioned narrative, to regain the trust and confidence ofthe people to herald people people-centric policing paradigm and improve police efficiency.
Gaidem commended theI nspector General of Police, IGP Egbetokun, and his management team for the initiative, noting that the conference would further strengthen the operations of the Nigeria Police Press and liaison units nationwide.
The minister was presented with the 2023 Police PR Award of Excellence in recognition of his exceptional support towards the success of the Police PR Conference Uyo 2023.
In a related development, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr. Nasir Sani Gwarzo, has reiterated support for the Odua Youth Parliament for promoting security and peace and encouraging cultural harmony among Nigerians.
He made this known during a presentation of a certificate of Chieftancy by the Odua Youth Parliament for good leadership in public service and continuous contribution towards empowerment and support for youth development projects in the country.
Gwarzo assured that the ministry would continue to emplace policies, programmes and more importantly pursue interventions that would enable the youths to play their roles in the police ecosystem in Nigeria.
On his part, Speaker, Oodua Youth Parliament, Aare Abdulmajeed Oyeniyi, said that they were in the ministry to appreciate the good deed, motivation, and exemplary leadership the permanent secretary has exhibited in the public service in the country.
“Oodua Parliament is a social-cultural group that propagates the Yoruba nation in Nigeria and Outside the country. We have been following your activities right from Ministry of Industry, Trade, and Investment to the Humanitarian Ministry, as well as your present post.
“You have shown commitment to the development of projects that will benefit youths in the country,” he stated.
