As Jonathan, Akpabio, others back state police, IGP walks alone – Newstrends
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As Jonathan, Akpabio, others back state police, IGP walks alone

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As Jonathan, Akpabio, others back state police, IGP walks alone

The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, appears to be a lone voice in kicking against the proposed state police as a measure to stem the spate of criminalities in Nigeria.

The call for state police has gained traction with the disturbing rise in insecurity manifesting via bloody attacks on communities, banditry and kidnapping across the country.

Already, a bill to establish state police passed a second reading in the House of Representatives on February 20 this year.

The IGP said rather than create state police, the challenges mitigating against effective policing in Nigeria should be addressed.

The IGP’s position is against the position of President Bola Tinubu on state policing.

The President in February this year met with state governors in Abuja during which they considered “the possibility of setting up state police.”

While Egbetokun is saying the country is yet not ripe for state policing, former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, state governors and other eminent leaders of thought are convinced it is the right way to.

They called for necessary constitutional amendments and other actions to accelerate the process.

The IGP and others spoke on Monday during a national dialogue on state police organised by the House of Representatives in Abuja, with the theme: ‘Pathways to Peace: Reimagining Policing in Nigeria’.

Egbetokun, represented by Ben Okolo, an assistant inspector-general of police, said Nigeria was not ready for a decentralised police force.

He said, “It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria police force that Nigeria is yet to mature for the establishment of state-controlled police.”

The IGP listed some of the challenges as inadequate manpower, inadequate operational equipment such as vehicles, arms and ammunition, communication equipment, drones, aerial surveillance cameras, security surveillance helicopters, armoured vehicles, and inadequate training of personnel.

He added that state police would create a conflict of jurisdiction and open to abuse by state governors.

Ex-President Jonathan, on the other hand, stated that with the spate of kidnappings, the issue of state police is non-negotiable.

The former President, who chaired the occasion, said, “The issue today is not whether to establish state police but how it should be operated. There is no need to debate about state police. The issues of state police and Coast Guards were accepted at the 2014 National Conference.”

He also said, “For states to have their own police is not negotiable. There is no way we can continue this kidnapping that is going on in this country.”

Jonathan, however, added that for state police to be implemented, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) must be rejigged.

“The issue of voting, the polling booths of INEC, and the use of police during elections has to be reviewed by the National Assembly,” he said.

Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam, also disagreed with the IGP on state police.

Gaidam said a more decentralised police force would help tackle rising insecurity in the country.

“It is clearly imperative to come together to discuss these critical issues and work towards finding sustainable solutions that will ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians,” he added.

Others who endorsed state police included former Head of State, Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.); Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, John Cardinal Onaiyekan; and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

President Tinubu represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, who declared the event open said the idea of state policing was not just a mere policy proposal but also a potential milestone in the evolution of the nation’s law enforcement framework.

This, he stressed, would create the opportunity to fashion law enforcement in a manner to closely address the various demands of communities across the country.

He said the administration was aware of the complex security issues confronting Nigeria, and continually developing and refining its strategies to address the challenges effectively.

“The commitment of the administration of President Tinubu to reform the police force and enhance security at both the national and state levels is unwavering,” he said.

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Sanwo-Olu appoints KWAM1’S daughter as aide

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Sanwo-Olu appoints KWAM1’S daughter as aide

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has appointed Basirat Damilola Marshall as the Senior Special Assistant on Tourism.

Damilola Marshall, the daughter of Fuji maestro, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall popularly known as KWAM1, disclosed this on her Instanstory on Instagram from Thursday.

Marshall’s appointment has been attracting congratulatory messages from Nigerians.

In a recent viral video, KWAM1, during a performance at the coronation and birthday reception of Oba Sikirullah Apena on Thursday, thanked Sanwo-Olu for appointing his daughter into his cabinet.

The fuji singer noted that it was his daughter, Damilola, who asked him to publicly thank the governor for her appointment.

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She posted a flier with the logo of the Lagos State Government on her Instastory with, “Contraulations! Barrister Damilola Basirat Ayinde Marshall Esq on being appointed as SSA to the Governor of Lagos on Tourism.”

Congratulating her on the appointment, a Nigerian, Olanrewaju-Smart Wasiu wrote, “Congratulations Barr. @damimarshall_ on your appointment as the Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Tourism. This is a deserving recognition for your hard work and contributions to our party”, to which she responded by saying “Thank you, sir.”

Another person, Balogun Basia wrote, “Please, join me in congratulating my friend K1 and the entire family on the appointment of my daughter Barrister Basirat Damilola Marshall as the SSA to the governor of Lagos State on Tourism. Damilola, this shall be the beginning of many good things that will come your way and that of your siblings Insha Allah, Alaumoh Amin.”

Sanwo-Olu appoints KWAM1’S daughter as aide

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I never said I’m a billionaire— Ex-Anambra CP

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Retired Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, CP Aderemi Adeoye

I never said I’m a billionaire— Ex-Anambra CP

Aderemi Adeoye, a retired commissioner of police in Anambra, has disowned claims that he described himseld as a “billionaire.”

Adeoye said this on ‘The Morning Show’, an Arise Television programme, on Friday.

He said that he has never amassed wealth nor abuse his office, adding that the civil service rules and police code of conduct does not bar anyone from investing neither is the law against buying shares.

The retired commissioner also denied saying he would compete with Aliko Dangote, the Forbes’ richest African in 10 years time.

The group accused him of operating a “Ponzi scheme” and misappropriating funds meant for investments in Alpha Trust Investment Club, the cooperative co-founded by him

“May I request that you provide the clip where I said I am now a billionaire,” Adeoye said.

“I never said so and i am shocked that erudite journalist of very high reputation will simply run with a story they never researched. I have never said anything of such. I weigh my words before I alter them and every word say, i say in good faith. I never said I am now a billionaire and anyone who has proved to be contrary is challenged to produce it. Now going to whether I have used my office. Those who make their assertion can also prove that if they have evidence.

“I have never abused my office. I have never amassed wealth. I have never done anything that is against civil service rules or any law known to man.

“Civil service rules and police code of conduct does not bar anyone from investing. There is no law against buying shares. There is no law against investing in land or property. The only thing is that you must be able to justify the means.

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On April 27, the commissioner bowed out of service after 35 years of service and 10 months of leading the police command in the state.

He revealed that during his service period, he equipped himself through trainings in Nigeria and abroad, gained financial education, leading to the establishment of an investment club in 2018.

Olusegun Adeniyi, a former presidential spokesperson and chairman of THISDAY editorial board, in article tittled “The Billionaire Police Commissioner” alleged Adeoye to have said his net worth is now N20 billion and he has set his eyes on displacing Aliko Dangote as the richest man in Africa within the next ten years.

Adeniyi said he is not opposed to legitimate ‘side hustles’ but there is a problem when public officials acquire stupendous wealth that is impossible to explain and then make a show of it.

He added that he conducted a search at the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC)and google search, and the results were shocking as a business concern with a portfolio of N20 billion is not listed at the CAC.

Reacting to this, the retired commissioner said he did the same google search himself and found several entries that explained to the world what the investment club does and its mode of operation.

“It is an investment club that has an arm that is registered with the local state government as a cooperative and we are registered with the corporate affairs commission (CAC) Olusegun Adeniyi, in his verdict calling, claimed to have done a google search and he couldn’t find anything else,” the commissioner continued.

“Even though when I did the same google search myself, I found several entries that explained to the world what we do and how we do it. He said he checked the CAC database and he could not find us, meaning we are illegal, meaning we don’t exist. That’s a fallacy.

“I have our certificate of registration here, and I hereby display it for the world to see. This is for CAC. Not only are we registered with CAC, our armament files are up to date with the CAC. Like I mentioned earlier, our known arm is also registered with the local state government as a cooperative. Here is our school certificate issued by the EFCC. So you can begin to see when someone says we don’t exist, we are not registered, and I’ve shown evidence that we are, including registration with EFCC.

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Adeoye added that the former presidential spokesperson only found out a petition to the inspector general of police by renegade members expelled for criminal conduct.

“The inspector general of police is a disciplinarian. He does not tolerate nonsense and the IG will not condone an officer going into anything that is against the ethics of the job, and we look on, the IG never does that.

“The IG forwarded the petition to me in the spirit of fairness, and I replied, addressing every issue that was raised in the petition, the IGP was satisfied.

The retired commissioner clarified that the name of the club he founded is Alpha Trust Investment Club, adding that it is an investment forum and not a business entity.

“Our purpose is to invest. Not to do business. So we don’t have an office, We don’t have overhead costs, we have no employee. We don’t pay salary, we don’t run generator. We have no official car, we don’t refund the expenses of any kind.

“We never campaigned publicly for membership. We simply put out an update and our members informed their relations and friends who might be interested and for 5 years of our existence, we have paid dividends every year without fail. We pay dividends once a year. The question you ask about how we put resources together is very simple.

“Only thing members pay, those who are officials of the club, is their data and that data each person uses for his work is seen as their individual contribution to the growth of the club. Only thing we spend money on is organizing our meetings.

“Physical meetings and this is paid for by membership dues which is 5,000 Naira per member per annum for anyone to be a member, he must be a Nigerian. Irrespective of where he is domiciled in the world. Number two. He must have a visible means of livelihood. Which we verify. Usually we demand to see workplace identity card and we do further to verify. If he did, his documents are genuine. We do background check.

“We insist that any member we are to admit must not have a criminal record or a pending criminal matter at any police commission in Nigeria. Those who are pending matters with EFCC are excluded. Majority of our members are Nigerian professionals all over the world.

So, anyone to be admitted must meet these criteria. He has a visible means of livelihood. He is now free to indicate how many units of our shares he or she wishes to buy, subject to a minimum of 50,000 units.

I never said I’m a billionaire— Ex-Anambra CP

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Nigerian Army begins recruitment; See requirements, how to apply

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Nigerian Army begins recruitment; See requirements, how to apply

Nigerian Army has opened its portal for 87 Regular Recruits Intake for Non-Tradesmen and women.

Method of Application

Interested candidates are advised to click on https://recruitment.army.mil.ng to complete the free online application form, submit it online, and print a copy. Then, print and complete the Guarantor Form as appropriate.

The exercise commences on May 3, 2024, and ends June 7, 2024.

Basic requirements and qualification

(1) Applicants must be single and Nigerian citizens by birth and must possess National Identity Card/NIN slip.

(2) Applicants must be medically, physically and psychologically fit in accordance with Nigerian Army Standards.

(3) Applicants must be free of any criminal conviction by the court of law.

(4) Applicants must possess a valid birth certificate/age declaration endorsed by the National Population Commission, Hospital or Local Government Council.

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(5) Applicants must possess a valid certificate of state of origin.

(6) Applicants must not be less than 1.68 meters and 1.65 meters tall for male and female candidates, respectively.

(7) An applicant must not be less than 18 years or more than 22 years for non-trades men/women, while tradesmen/women must not be more than 26 years as at 30 June 24.

(8) All applicants must possess at least a minimum of 4 passes in not more than two sittings in WASSCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB.

(9) In addition to the above qualification, those applying as tradesmen/women must also possess a Trade Test/City Guild Certificate. Details are available on the website.

(10) Interested candidates are advised to log on to the NA recruitment website https://recruitment.army.mil.ng to complete online registration from 3 May – 7 June

Requirement

Minimium Age (Non – Trades) 18

Maximium Age (Non – Trades) 22

Minimium Age (Trades) 18

Maximium Age (Trades) 26

Minimium Height (Qualification

Minimium Educational Qualification

1. All applicants must have WASCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB. 2. In addition to the above qualification, those applying as tradesmen/women must also possess a Trade Test/City Guild Certificate.

Nigerian Army begins recruitment; See requirements, how to apply

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