Mohammed Idris Malagi, Minister of Information and National Orientation, has called on the Nigeria Police Force to fully embrace the national values charter and use it to create a new narrative for Nigeria.
The Minister made this call on Monday, November 18, 2024, at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Conference of Police, PR Roles, and Communications Experts Asaba, which had as its theme “Strengthening Nigeria Police Force Oversight and Accountability Mechanism” at Unity Hall, Government House Asaba, Delta State. Jibrin Ndache, Director-General of Voice of Nigeria, ably represented the Minister.
The National Values Charter is intended to serve as a policy guide for identifying Nigerians and preserving the principles of our genuine values within our common goals, the Minister said.
“It fulfils the missing gap in our pursuit of national cohesion, social advancement, and an enduring sense of nationalism among Nigerians. We must all realise that the Nigerian Police is in the front row of our nation’s public perception both nationally and internationally.
“There is probably no other security control mechanism that has an intimate dealing with the large segment of the Nigerian populace as the Nigeria police, “he said
According to the Minister, the relationship between the Nigerian Police and Nigerian society is both historical and contextual. These fundamental oversight responsibilities, which go further to include protecting citizens’ lives, property, liberty, and dignity, require the police to be accountable to the constitution, which gives them authority, as well as to the people, who uphold and bind them to the social contract.
“By this token, police authority rests on public consent, especially in a democratic society. Therefore, effective policing requires mutual understanding and a shared sense of responsibility between the police, the government, and the public, as policing will be impossible when the police lack public trust and cooperation.
“I believe that the matter of public trust speaks to the contemporary challenges of the Nigerian police more than anything else, and even more so now than any other moment of our history.
The police have found it difficult to manage a complicated web of connections with the people as the country has developed and as collective dignity has advanced. This is mostly due to the seeming contradiction between upholding state order and preserving civil liberties.
He said this struggle has become even more challenging as there are certain restraining internal factors complicating the professional effectiveness of the police in performing its duties.
“For this, and the many reasons we know and can admit, the public has also struggled to accept the epithet that “Police is Your Friend”. But I must hasten to add that the Nigerian Police is not alone in this turbulence, even as it is usually availed of easy referencing.
“Within the climate of overall trust and credibility deficit and the overall perception gap between government and citizens, the role of public relations is now more invaluable in repositioning the reputation of the Nigerian Police in its oversight and accountability to the Nigerian public.
“It is for this reason that I must align my thoughts, goodwill, and the current efforts of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to today’s very important and well-intended reflection on strengthening the Police force’s Oversight and Accountability.
“As you are aware, President Tinubu’s overwhelming economic reforms across all critical sectors of the economy and the nation’s institutions, including the police, are very much on course. It is a defining moment in our nation’s history and must be complemented with the desired national cohesion and unity through values reorientation. It is why Mr. President has initiated the National Values Charter. It is about Nigeria’s most significant social reorientation campaign, unique in concept, methodology, and roll-out strategy.” Idris said
