Nation
Political Scientists Task Security Agencies On International Best Practices
Lecturers of Political Science in Nigerian universities have called on security agencies in the country to imbibe international best practices in the discharge of their duties.
The lecturers made the call under the ageis of the Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA) in an interview granted by its National President, Prof. Aloysius Okolie.
Okolie told journalists yesterday in Nsukka that imbibing international best practices would enable security agencies to earn the confidence of citizens.
He added that it would also assist them in managing crises and protests professionally.
“The alleged shooting of unarmed #EndSARS protesters at Lekki recently by soldiers is a testimony of deficit of international best practices among our security agencies.
“In developed countries, where security agencies imbibe international best practices, citizens carry out protests running into weeks and months without anyone hearing of any protester being killed.
“NPSA condemns in its entirety the Lekki shooting of these unarmed protesters and urge the Federal Government to bring perpetrators to book to serve as deterrent to others,” he said.
The president noted that the recent nationwide youth protests were not only as a result of brutality but also long years of suffering by citizens because of poor leadership and governance.
“High level of police brutality, corruption, poverty, unemployment and lack of accountability are indications that the political class has failed to live up to its constitutional responsibilities,” he said.
The don urged the various governments to ensure that the demands of the youth were religiously implemented so as not to give them any reason to go back to the streets to protest.
“Government should do everything within its capacity to ensure that the five listed demands of the #EndSARS are addressed and fully implemented.
“The reform in police should centre on respect for citizens’ fundamental human rights, respect to sanctity of life and imbibing of international best practices.
“More people should be recruited into the police, their salaries increased in order to boost their morale and prevent them from extorting the public,” he stated.
Okolie, who is also the Dean, Faculty of Social Science in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, (UNN), commended the youth in the country for the protests aimed at ending police brutality and ensuring police reform.
He added that the protests were as well condemning poor and corrupt leadership that had lasted for decades.
“The ills in police simply mirror the decay in the country’s governance structure.
“Acts of impunity and recklessness in breaching constitution by some political class shows serious deficit in governance in this country,” he said.
The Rivers state Government has identified six local government areas with the highest burden of maternal and Neonatal mortality in the state.
State Commissioner for Health Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh said this in an interview with newsmen at the Maternal and Neonatal Reduction innovation initiative ( Mamii)Rivers state activation workshop and state engagement meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organized by The Federal Ministry of Health in conjunction with its Rivers state counterpart in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh also restated the preparedness of the state government to support current efforts by the federal government towards the reduction of maternal and infant mortalities in the country.
She mentioned the affected Local Government Areas to include, Andoni,Akuku Toru and Ahoada West
The rest according to the Commissioner are, Bonny, Etche and Emohua Local Government Areas.
She said the workshop will enable the team from the federal ministry of health and social welfare to brainstorm with the view to finding solution to the problem.
The Commissioner also gave reasons why the Mamii initiative was the best as far as finding solution to maternal mortality was concerned.
“The uniqueness of the Mamii initiative driven by the federal ministry of health and social welfare was that we used evidence to elicit the reasons for this deaths, so that the solutions will be context specific and tailored to the particular environment where those deaths are occuring
“For us in Rivers state we have six Mamii LGAs , nationally we we have 172 local government areas “the Commissioner said.
Earlier in her opening remarks,Dr Oreh said the state government is prepared to work with the federal ministry of health and social welfare to check the rate of maternal mortality in the state.
She commended The Minister of Health and Social welfare Professor Ali Muhammad Pategi for driving the Mamii initiative across the country and expressed optimism that the programm will see to the end of maternal mortality in the country.
Also speaking the National Coordinator Nigeria health sector Renewal Initiative Dr Adam Ahmed said Rivers state is the last state among Mamii states in the country to host the team.
He said the team will visit the affected Local Government Areas with the view to interacting with the people on how to check the trend.
He expressed the hope that with continuous efforts, maternal mortality will be checked.
Also speaking the permanent secretary Rivers state Ministry of Health Professor Justinah Jumbo said the government is not leaving any stone unturned towards reduction in maternal deaths.
The permanent secretary said Governor Siminalaye Fubara is a health friendly Governor who is desirous in improving the quality of health of Rivers people.
John Bibor
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Rivers state has declared a one day fasting and prayer to seek divine intervention on the political crisis rocking the state.
The Association said this at a media briefing in Port Harcourt.
State chairman of the Association,Most Rev. Dokiboeriya B. Kaladokubo said the fasting and prayer which holds February 5th at the Ecumenical center Abonnema wharf was in furtherance of the Association peace, advocacy, good governance and political stability in Rivers state.
He said the Association has observed with disappointment the dangerous trend and and gradual descent of governance in Rivers state into uncertainty and near oblivion, adding that the trend has exposed Rivers citizens to insecurity, economic hardship, loss of livelihood and the destruction of lives and property.
Kaladokubo said the association has also watched with dismay the unfolding political crisis in the state, stressing “what we see today is not merely a disagreement among political actors,it is a dangerous drift that threatens the very foundation of governance, peace, security and the collective well-being of our people”
According to him,”as the custodians of the spiritual and moral conscience of Rivers state,we can not remain silent while the state is pushed steadily towards chaos, institutional breakdown and avoidable suffering
“We are not oblivious of the fact that Rivers state like some other states in the federation often experience tension between the Executive and the Legislature “adding”when disagreement escalate they can hinder governance, delay budgets ,erode public trust and impede peaceful, constructive development”
The Christian body stressed the need for parties involved in the conflict to seek for peaceful resolution, stressing that as Christians and children of God “we should seek the path of peace and reconciliation as Christ Himself taught us”it said
The Association further encourage the both arms of government to imbibe the spirit of forgiveness and prioritize good governance in Rivers state
“We also advised all the parties in these conflict to call their supporters to exercise restraint in all their utterances and de-escalate tension in the interest of peace in Rivers state ”
CAN also described as disturbing the role some elder statesmen and individuals in the state have played and continue to play in the crisis when they should have serve as voices of wisdom, restraint and unity
“Rather than guiding the process towards peace, some have taken sides,fueled division and encouraged instability becoming more dangerous than those currently holding power”,it said.
John Bibor
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