By Adewole Kehinde
“The person determined to achieve maximum success learns the principle that progress is made one step at a time,” – David J. Schwartz
In a bid to ensure stability in internal security and foster economic prosperity, social integration, and political development for the benefit of all Nigerians, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has continued the Annual Senior Police Retreat and Conference with this fourth edition tagged “Fostering Economic Prosperity, Social Integration, and Political Development through an Enhanced Internal Security Mechanism.”
The first edition took place in Lagos in October 2019, while the second edition took place in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom state capital, on February 7–10, 2022, and the third edition took place in Owerri on October 18–21, 2022.
The fourth edition is scheduled to take place from October 30th to November 1st, 2023, at the Landmark Event Centre, Owerri, Imo State, while President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to inaugurate this edition and deliver the keynote address.
I am aware that the conference and retreat will bring together senior police officers of the rank of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, and Commissioners of Police.
My happiness is that it will involve the participation of carefully selected security management experts from across the globe, fostering peer review and the exchange of ideas on four prominent topics under four syndicates: the Service Scheme for the Nigeria Police Force, Professionalising the Force Criminal Investigations Department (FCID), Re-orientation Programme for Officers and Men of the Nigeria Police Force, and the Police Pension Scheme: Review of Changes in the Pension Scheme and Suggestion of Further Changes.
I must commend the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, especially on the theme of the retreat.
To foster economic prosperity, social integration, and political development through enhanced internal security mechanisms in Nigeria, several steps can be taken, which this conference and retreat will surely bring justice to.
I strongly believe that the retreat will attract key officials from sister security agencies, national and international development partners, and other stakeholders and bring about the below:
Strengthen Law Enforcement Agencies: The conference and retreat should provide adequate training, resources, and equipment to law enforcement agencies such as the Nigerian Police Force, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps, and other security agencies.
This will enable them to effectively combat crime and maintain law and order.
Also, the retreat should ensure improved intelligence gathering and sharing. This is the best time to enhance intelligence-gathering capabilities and information sharing among different security agencies. This will help identify potential threats and take preventive measures in a timely manner.
This retreat should also enhance border security. The federal government should invest in modern technology and human resources to strengthen border security. This will help prevent the influx of illegal weapons, drugs, and human trafficking while ensuring legitimate trade activities thrive.
I am very optimistic that the retreat will also promote community policing. It should also encourage community participation in maintaining security by promoting community policing initiatives. This should involve collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities, fostering trust, and sharing responsibility for managing security issues.
At the end of the retreat, there should be solutions to tackle socio-economic challenges that contribute to insecurity. Addressing poverty, unemployment, and inequality can help reduce the vulnerability of individuals to engage in criminal activities. This is where the federal government has a vital role to play.
There is also a need to improve the judicial system and access to justice. Reform the judicial system to ensure timely dispensation of justice and accountability for crimes committed. This will help build public trust and confidence in the legal system.
To foster economic prosperity, social integration, and political development through enhanced internal security mechanisms, there is a need to enhance international cooperation. Strengthening cooperation with neighbouring countries and international partners in intelligence sharing, capacity building, and coordinated efforts to combat transnational crimes and terrorism is non-negotiable.
I am also optimistic that the conference and retreat will further promote dialogue and reconciliation. There is a need to encourage dialogue and reconciliation processes to address grievances and conflicts that often fuel insecurity. This can be achieved through initiatives such as interethnic dialogues, peacebuilding programmes, and conflict resolution mechanisms. The conference and retreat need to critically look into that aspect.
Also, investment in education and youth empowerment is paramount. The Federal Government should prioritize education and skills development programmes to empower the youth, who represent a significant demographic in Nigeria. This can help steer them away from criminal activities and encourage positive contributions to society.
On a final note, promoting good governance and fighting corruption should be prioritized. There is a need to enhance transparency, accountability, and good governance practices at all levels of government. This includes reducing corruption, ensuring efficient service delivery, and building public trust in government institutions.
It is important to note that these steps require long-term commitment, collaboration among various stakeholders, and continuous evaluation and adaptation based on evolving security challenges. It is my hope that this timely conference and retreat will achieve its major objective of fostering economic prosperity, social integration, and political development through enhanced internal security mechanisms.
On a final note, I sincerely hope the communiqué that will come out of this conference and retreat will be implemented by President Bola Tinubu, who is incidentally inaugurating the event.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846; e-mail: swiftreporters@gmail.com
