OPENING REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, AT THE PUBLIC HEARING ON THE NIGERIA POLICE ACADEMY (ESTABLISHMENT, ETC.) BILL 2018 (SB 270), HELD AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX ON THURSDAY, APRIL 11, 2019
PROTOCOL.
1. I welcome you all to this Public Hearing organised by the Senate Committee on Police Affairs for the further consideration of the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment, Etc.) Bill 2018 (SB 270).
2. I thank the entire members of the Committee under the able Chairman, Distinguished Senator Tijjani Y. Kaura, for the work they have put into the proposed law to see us to this stage; and for organising this Public Hearing to enable us take on a broad range of stakeholder views on the provisions of the Bill. Let me also express our appreciation to Senator John Owan Enoh for sponsoring this very important Bill.
3. Distinguished stakeholders and interested members of the public, the presence of each and every one of you at this Public Hearing is indeed to be commended, as a demonstration your commitment and engagement with issues related to the Police, which is a critical pillar in the security architecture of our country. Security, as we all know, remains a major concern for all Nigerians. As such, the ability of the Police to rise up to the myriad of security challenges has come under increasing attention and scrutiny.
4. The citizens deserve a 21st Century Nigeria Police that is well trained, equipped and prepared to meet the challenges; as well as a Police that will carry out its functions and help neutralise threats while displaying the highest code of professionalism as well as respect for human rights.
5. The Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment, Etc.) Bill is one of a series of Bills that seek to strengthen, modernise and professionalise the Police. Earlier this week, we passed the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Bill – to ensure adequate funding of the force. This is a step in the right direction, and will make for improved security and policing all over the country.
6. Equally important is the Police Reform and Related Matters Bill that aims to repeal and re-enact the decades-old Police Act enacted as far back as 1943, so that we can have a governing law for the Police that is up to date and meets the challenges of the present time. We are working hard to ensure that the final version of the Bill reflects the needs as identified.
7. The Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment, Etc.) Bill which you are asked to consider today, will establish the Nigeria Police Academy with powers to train, nurture, equip and produce globally competitive police graduates with requisite knowledge, skills, values and attitudes suitable for leadership, scholarship, policing and rendering community service to the people. The Academy would award degrees, diplomas and certificates in accordance with the highest academic standards.
8. Amongst other things, it is expected that the Bill will encourage a leap forward in learning in the Nigeria Police, and better align its activities to the overall security, political, cultural and economic needs of the people of Nigeria.
9. No doubt the Police will derive great benefits from the improved training of its officers. Moreover, it is clear that one of the most important steps we must take in the professionalisation of our law enforcement personnel, and even in their rebranding and morale boost, is to emplace training and educational standards comparable to other professions.
10. We therefore have an opportunity, today, to give this Bill our due consideration to ensure that it is fit for the purpose. It is equally important that the Bill’s provisions have the capacity to position the Police Academy to effectively respond to our future policing needs as a nation.
11. Let me say that the 8th Senate has been steadfast in its commitment to citizens’ engagement on key issues, in line with our belief that Nigerians are major stakeholders in nation-building. We therefore appreciate your taking the time to participate at this Public Hearing. I encourage you all to give your candid views and submissions on the proposed legislation, as this will help improve the provisions therein, so that the Police can better serve the people.
12. I hereby formally declare open this Public Hearing on the Nigeria Police Academy (Establishment, Etc.) Bill, 2018. I wish you successful deliberations.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
