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FG Launches Citizens-Police Dialogue
As part of its commitment to implement recommendations of reports on #EndSARS protests and other governance issues, the Federal Government, yesterday, launched the Citizens-Police Dialogue series to rebuild trust between the Nigerian Police and the citizens.
Launching the scheme in Abuja as part of the ongoing Open Government Partnership (OGP) Week, the Minister of State Budget and National Planning, Prince Clem Agba, said the aim of hosting the stakeholders’ dialogue, which will be held in the 6 geo-political zones of the country was to rebuild trust between the police and citizens in a manner that would make every one of us safe.
He said the dialogue was a confirmation of President Muhammadu Buhari’s commitment to implement Open Government ideals and willingness to sustain his resolve to improve relations between citizens and the police.
The dialogue was a weeklong exercise of exchanging ideas and commitment in pursuance of the Open Government Partnership principles.
It consists of the representatives of the Nigeria Police Force, the Police Service Commission, Civil Society partners, and citizens.
The Open Government Week is a week set aside globally for Open Government doers, leaders, and thinkers from around the world to come together to share ideas, discuss solutions, and commit to new levels of citizen participation in government.
This year’s Open Government Week theme focused on how to renew or rebuild governments, institutions, and societies that are transparent, accountable, participatory, and inclusive.
The Nigeria Open Government Partnership National Steering Committee is focusing on two critical areas of our National Action Plan – Beneficial Ownership Transparency and Civic Space.
While pledging the federal government’s commitment to work with all relevant stakeholders on hosting the dialogue in other parts of the country, he called on every Nigerian to actively join the process of rebuilding trust and building back a better Nigeria Police Force that works for all.
In his remarks, the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, said the force is doing its best to improve its relations with the citizens.
According to him, the police require more than the government’s support to restore peace in the country.
On whether there is a breakdown of communication between the management and ranks and file on the dismantling of roadblocks, he said there has never being a gap between the police management and ranks and file.
He, however, admitted that in every organization, there must be miscreants.
On his part, representative of the Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission, Anthony Ojukwu, said the commission as an advisory body that performs oversight function had concluded an investigation on the recent #EndSARS protests and made detailed recommendations to the government.
He also said that the commission was instrumental to the disbandment of SARS by the Federal Government and is at the vanguard of ongoing state-wide investigation on human rights abuse by SARS in the 36 states of the federation, including the FCT.
The Executive Coordinator of CLEEN Foundation, Dr. Benson Olugbuo, blamed the collapse of the citizen and police relation on lack of inter-agency relation.
It will be recalled that early last year, President Muhammadu Buhari approved the implementation of Nigeria’s second National Action Plan which made extensive commitments around citizens’ engagement in governance as well as recommendations on #EndSARS protest.
Some of the recommendations include: Passage of the Bill for an Act to repeal the Police Service Commission Act and Enact the Police Service Commission Bill, 2020; National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); National Orientation Agency (NOA) and their Non-State Actors partners to hold a quarterly zonal ‘Citizen-Police Dialogue; joint PSC/CSO led quarterly select police station visitation to ascertain the condition of the station, adherence to Standard Operating Procedure and conditions of suspects held in the station among others.
Following the approval, the National Steering Committee also approved the extension of the implementation period of Nigeria’s second National Action Plan by one year, to allow stakeholders to review existing commitments with a view to revising earlier commitments to reflect the government’s responses to Covid-19, the #EndSARS protests and other governance issues.
The approval followed the extension of the implementation period of existing action plans by the OGP global community which took cognizance of the devastating effect of the pandemic on economies and allowed member countries to as well as revising existing commitments to reflect governments’ responses to issues necessitated by the pandemic and other current issues.
Rivers State Government has taken a step toward improving urban aesthetics in the State with a new agreement reached with the Association of Motor Dealers of Nigeria (AMDON) on the adoption of uniform fence colours across designated auto dealership zones.
The initiative, which is part of broader urban renewal efforts, aimed at enhancing visual orderliness and creating a more structured business environment within the state’s growing commercial corridors.
The State Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Hon Amairigha Edward Hart, disclosed this during a strategic meeting with leaders of the motor dealers’ association at his office in Port Harcourt, recently.
Hart explained that the move aligns with the government’s commitment to building a modern and visually appealing city that reflects planning standards and coordinated development.
According to him, the ministry has approved a white and blue colour scheme proposed by the association, noting that the choice resonates with the identity and official colours of Rivers State.
He stated that AMDON is expected to submit detailed design specifications to guide implementation and ensure uniformity across all approved dealership locations.
The commissioner commended the leadership of the association for demonstrating cooperation and readiness to support government policies aimed at improving the built environment.
He noted that such collaboration between the public and private sectors remains critical to achieving sustainable urban development goals.
Earlier in his remarks, AMDON Chairman, Christian Okolie, confirmed that members of the association had collectively agreed to adopt white and navy blue as the standard colours for fencing around their business premises.
Okolie explained that the uniform colour scheme would not only enhance visibility but also make it easier for customers and visitors to identify auto dealerships within designated areas.
He added that while the standardization would create a consistent outlook, individual businesses would still retain their unique brand identities and signage.
Describing the engagement with the ministry as productive, the AMDON chairman said the agreement represents a mutually beneficial arrangement for both the government and operators in the sector.
He stressed that the decision underscores the association’s commitment to promoting orderliness and supporting policies that foster a conducive business environment.
Implementation of the new colour scheme is expected to commence in the coming weeks, with stakeholders expressing optimism that the initiative will contribute to a more organised and visually cohesive urban landscape in the State.
By: King Onunwor
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has urged Nigerians to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term to enable him continue the implementation of his “bold, daring and ambitious vision for the inclusive and sustainable development” of the country.
Fubara gave the charge last Thursday while declaring open a meeting of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
He described President Tinubu as a “dedicated and highly patriotic” leader, who should be given a second chance, stressing that with him in the saddle, Nigerians should be rest assured that the nation is in safe hands.
He recalled the various achievements of the Tinubu administration in the last three years and projected that a lot more will be achieved under the Renewed Hope Agenda, if Tinubu is re-elected in 2027.
“We are all witnesses to the transformation of our battered economy and the ongoing infrastructural revolution, including the remarkable coastal road project in the southern and other parts of the country in just three years.
“Although challenges remain in certain regions, we all trust in Mr President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and dedication to safeguarding our nation, transforming the economy and delivering equitable development to all regions.
“In football, the saying goes that no coach changes a winning team. Therefore, Nigerians have no choice but to support President Tinubu at this crucial time and work together to re-elect him in 2027 to continue implementing his bold, daring and ambitious vision for the inclusive and sustainable development of our nation,” he said.
Welcoming the royal fathers to the meeting, Fubara said their presence in Port Harcourt was a testament to the fact that Rivers State is very peaceful and ready to host high profile visits, meetings and events as well as a confirmation of the unity of the people of Southern Nigeria.
“Although we are ethnically, culturally and linguistically diverse to some extent, the beauty lies in the fact that we are all committed to being part and parcel or an ever- indivisible Nigeria, despite our differences. As a region, we have a duty to build our future together and promote the collective interests of our people for a better life which we can achieve more rapidly through collaboration with the Federal Government.
“Similarly, southern cooperation and solidarity will offer a clearer and more practical pathway for sharing knowledge and ideas, working together to realise the common goals and aspirations of our people for sustainable peace, security, and development,” he said.
The governor who acknowledged the strategic position of the traditional rulers in Nigeria, stated that by being the closest to the grassroots, they serve as a link between the people and the government, wielding capacities and influence that extend beyond their ceremonial roles.
He commended their commitment to peace and progress of southern Nigeria and urged them to stay vigilant and focused on pursuing their cultural, economic and political goals for the region and its people.
Fubara further charged the traditional rulers to dwell on productive discussions that will foster peace, security and progress in Southern Nigeria and the country at large.
The meeting which had in attendance traditional rulers from the South -South, South-East and South-West zones of Nigeria, was billed to discuss the roles of traditional institutions in promoting unity peace, cohesion and development across Southern Nigeria.
Among the royal fathers present at the meeting were the Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council, and the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Co- Chairman, Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council and Obi Obinugwu, His Majesty Eze Cletus Ilomuanya; the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja; and the Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty, Eze Chike Worlu Wodo, the Eze Oha Apara IV and Paramount Ruler of Apara Kingdom, amongst others.
The Project Coordinator of the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), Prof. Nenibarini Zabbey, has been named Social Impact Man of the Year 2025 by Daily Independent Newspapers.
The award was presented at the Independent Awards 2025 Silver Jubilee Edition held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, as part of activities marking the organisation’s 25th anniversary of editorial excellence.
Managing Director and Editor-in-Chief of Independent Newspapers, Steve Omanufeme, said the award recognises individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and transformative impact in their respective fields. He explained that recipients emerged through a rigorous process involving public voting, editorial board scrutiny, and assessment by a panel of judges.
Omanufeme noted that Zabbey’s selection reflects his outstanding contributions to environmental restoration and community development in Ogoniland through the Ogoni cleanup project.
With over two decades of experience spanning research, advocacy, capacity development, and administration, Zabbey has, within three years of leading HYPREP, implemented people-focused initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and restoring degraded ecosystems.
Under his leadership, the project has reportedly created more than 7,000 direct jobs and facilitated the training of thousands of youths and women in high-demand skills, including mechatronics, cybersecurity, commercial diving, underwater welding, and data analytics.
HYPREP has also trained over 5,000 beneficiaries across 21 vocational skill areas, providing start-up kits to support entrepreneurship and economic empowerment.
In the area of environmental sustainability, the agency has established 31 environmental clubs in secondary schools and trained 2,500 youths with International Maritime Organization (IMO) certification to support shoreline cleanup and mangrove restoration efforts.
The project has recorded significant ecological milestones, including the cleanup of over 1,000 hectares of shoreline and restoration of 560 hectares of mangroves. This progress contributed to the designation of Ogoni mangrove wetlands as a Ramsar Site of international importance.
Beyond environmental remediation, HYPREP has expanded its social intervention programmes to include educational grants and scholarships for over 1,000 students, support for small and medium-scale enterprises, and skills training for persons living with special needs.
Infrastructure and healthcare development have also featured prominently, with ongoing projects such as the Ogoni Specialist Hospital, a Cottage Hospital, the Ogoni Power Project, and the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration. The agency has further strengthened emergency healthcare delivery by donating five ambulances to medical facilities in the region.
Additionally, potable water has been provided to more than 40 communities, alongside the construction of wind-powered water systems in underserved areas.
Speaking on the award, Zabbey described it as a validation of HYPREP’s integrated approach to environmental restoration, healthcare improvement, and economic empowerment.
“We remain committed to delivering a cleanup that not only restores the environment but also improves livelihoods in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” he said.
HYPREP, in a statement, expressed appreciation to the management of Independent Newspapers for the recognition, the Federal Ministry of Environment for its oversight role, and the Ogoni communities for their continued support and collaboration.
The agency was established by the Federal Government of Nigeria to implement the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report on Ogoniland and restore areas impacted by oil pollution.
By: Donatus Ebi
