Jonathan Approves New Police Uniform …Opens VON Station

As part of the on-going reform process in the Nigeria Police, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, yesterday annouced approval by President Goodluck Jonathan for a new camouflage uniform for the Nigeria Police.

Mr. Abubakar said his Tuesday public appearance in the new uniform signifies “a process of test running the uniform as one of the force’s operational outfits”.

Olusola Amore, the force spokesman said “the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, has approved a test-run of a camouflage dress for the Nigeria Police Force as one of its operational attires”.

Mr. Amore quoting Mr. Abubakar said “the new dress is in line with the transformation agenda of the Federal Government and the long desire of the police management team to reform and to launder an acceptable image for the police through the turn-out of its officers and men”.

“The camouflage which is an admixture of black, white and ash colours, will serve as an operational dress for the police with some inherent advantages when fully integrated and confirmed as one of the official police outfits”, the police spokesman said.

Enumerating the advantages of the new police camouflage, Mr. Amore said the uniform is “cost effective to maintain; operationally durable; highly customised with security features to forestall impersonation , saying, it was environmentally friendly”.

“The police boss is using this medium to call on the general public to come up with constructive criticisms regarding the new police camouflage, so that public opinion will be given adequate consideration,” he stated further.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday in Abuja inaugurated the multi-billion naira Voice of Nigeria (VON) transmission station with an assurance that government ‘s media outfits would not be turned into uncritical mouthpieces of government policies and programmes.

Jonathan, represented by Vice-President Namadi Sambo, also pledged that government would ensure speedy completion of the second phase of the VON project.

He said that the project was in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to meet the 2015 global deadline for the digitisation of the nation’s broadcast industry.

“We are today empowering the Voice of Nigeria to robustly project our international profile and make Nigeria heard more positively and more widely around the world.

“In keeping with my avid policy of expanding the political space and driving the ideals of democratic process, this administration is not interested in turning VON, or any government broadcast organisation into an uncritical mouthpiece for our policies.

“I therefore, challenge the management and staff to develop initiative programming that will make VON, the station of choice for listeners within and outside the shores of this country.’’

Jonathan assured that government was committed to meeting its obligation to VON and other media organisations.

He noted that VON, established in 1961 as an external arm of the then Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation, was established in recognition of the critical role the country was playing in freeing other African countries from the shackles of colonialism.

“Nigeria understood in her early history that it needed an external voice to reach the world as the leader of Africa and to provide a platform for rallying African voices,’’ he said.

The president also enjoined media organisations to inculcate in all Nigerians, abiding peace and pride in Nigeria and the knowledge that “we all have a stake in ensuring that our stride toward sustained economic growth and development is not compromised by breaches of peace and security in any part of the country.’’

In his remarks, the Minister of Information and Commnications, Mr Labaran Maku, called on President Jonathan to ensure the immediate completion of the second phase of the VON project.