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President Tinubu declares April 7 as National Police Day

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President Bola Tinubu has declared April 7 as National Police Day.

Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, made this known on Monday night during the maiden edition of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations ceremony held in the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.

The president identified a complete overhaul of institutional mentality and memory of police officers as fundamental in his administration’s ongoing bid to transform the force into a modern, professional and accountable institution.

According to Tinubu, his administration had initiated wide-ranging reforms to revitalize the nation’s police force since assuming office in 2023.

He, therefore, stressed the need to engage men and women of the force in training and capacity-building to equip them with the expertise required to carry out the arduous task of modern policing.

He also disclosed that the Federal Government had approved the first week of April as police week and the last day of the week as the National Police Day.

“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in our tradition of honouring the Police Force in the life of this great nation, we have approved the adoption of the first week of April as Police Week.

“Furthermore, the last day of the week, April 7th, is hereby declared National Police Day in Nigeria.

“Tonight, I must remind you that we don’t see you as just the shields of the nation, we don’t see you as robots.

“This is why we are here; we are here to humanise you.

“At a time in Nigeria’s history, when the nation’s security architecture is being stretched beyond elastic limits, the citizens have been able to endure in the face of security threats as well as attacks on their lives and livelihoods due to the commitment of the police.

“Your exemplary valour doesn’t only represent the pinnacle of patriotism that binds us but also instils confidence that brighter days lie just beyond the horizon,” he said.

The president listed part of the comprehensive reforms by his administration to rejuvenate the police force to include investment in training and capacity-building.

Lifestyle, Politics

President Tinubu supports war against drug trafficking, drug abuse in Nigeria- NDLEA

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President Bola Tinubu has called for “redoubled efforts” towards combating drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria, assuring the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) of his support.

“I hereby reiterate this administration’s unwavering support to NDLEA for the sustenance of drug control efforts in the country and their patriotic efforts to keep the country safe,” Mr Tinubu said.

He added,

“I recommend that everyone should redouble efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country. We appreciate and acknowledge our local and international partners, especially the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime.”

Mr Tinubu, represented by George Akume, the secretary to the government of the federation, made this call at the 2023 UN International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking, held in Abuja on Monday.

The president’s stance on combating drug abuse and trafficking in Nigeria comes as controversy about his involvement in a drug trafficking-related case in the U.S. in the 1990s lingers.

Mr Tinubu once forfeited $460,000 linked to a drug trafficking case to the U.S. authorities in 1993.

Last year, the Northern District Court of Illinois released documents detailing Mr Tinubu’s 1993 legal battles with United States authorities over drug-related and money laundering charges.

Opposition candidates, Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party and Peter Obi, both included Mr Tinubu’s involvement in the drug trafficking racket in their respective petitions before the presidential election tribunal.

Politics

Tinubu’s first three weeks as president are not perfect but reasonable — Bode George

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Bode George has praised President Bola Tinubu’s good start to his administration saying it was better than his time as Lagos State governor between May 1999 and May 2007.

Chief George who is a former Deputy Chairman of the PDP gave the praise while speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday.

When asked about his assessment of Tinubu’s administration’s first three weeks George said it is early days to give a rating.

When further asked to describe the performance of Tinubu in the last 22 days as Nigeria’s President, the Lagos-based PDP stalwart said, “It’s not perfect but reasonable. At least, it is better than what we had known before when he was in Lagos. Maybe he was much younger at that time and had no experience but now, Lagos is not Abuja.”

On if he is willing to work with Tinubu, George said he would take permission from the PDP should the President approach him to work together for the good of the country.

He also reiterated his membership of the PDP noting he is not an enemy of the president despite their agelong political rivalry.

“The major difference between Bola and I is his methodology, his managerial style, is unlike mine. I have a background in the military and I am a logistician in the military. You don’t carry your men to war without adequately doing your serious planning, intelligence gathering,” the PDP chieftain said.

He, however, expressed confidence that his party and its candidate in the February 25 poll, Atiku Abubakar would emerge victorious at the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal in Abuja.

“Let’s wait for the outcome of the judiciary. The process is not over. The day the process is over and the court pronounces him as the President, we have no way to fight but to pray for Nigeria,” he said.

Politics

President Bola Tinubu signs Student Loan Bill into law

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President Bola Tinubu has signed the Student Loan Bill into law.

Giving out student loan was one of Tinubu’s campaign promises and he said at the time that it was part of his effort to develop the education sector and also build the youth capacity.

Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the president; Dele Alake, a member of the President’s Strategic team; Tunde Rahman, spokesman of the president; Abdulaziz Abdulaziz, a presidential spokesman; and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, David Adejoh, witnessed the signing.

The bill which was sponsored by Gbajabiamila, Speaker of the 9th House of Representatives, makes provision for funds to be domiciled in the Ministry of Education and will only be accessed by indigent students of tertiary institutions.

It provides easy access to higher education for indigent Nigerians through interest-free loans from the Nigerian Education Loan Fund.

Mr Dele Alake, a member of the Presidential Strategic Team announced that the bill has been signed into law on Monday, June 12.

When asked if the new law will not encourage inflation of school fees, Alake said the two situations are unrelated, adding that the idea behind the law is to help indigent students obtain education in the country.

He said;

“We are very happy to announce to you that today, just a few minutes ago, the President His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, signed into law, the Student Loans Bill and that Student Loans Bill, you all know what it entails, what it connotes the meaning.

“This is the promise made during the presidential campaign by the then candidate, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that he will bring back the student loans issue to the front burner and today, that promise he made has been kept, he has just signed that bill into law, which henceforth, will allow or enable our indigent students to access federal government loans to fund their educational pursuit or career and this is how it’s done in other developed climes all over the world”

Politics

President Tinubu in closed-door meeting with Wike, Umahi, Akpabio

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President Bola Tinubu had a closed-door meeting with former governors Nyesom Wike (Rivers), Dave Umahi (Ebonyi) and Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The former governors arrived the villa at about 2:33 pm and were delayed by security who wanted to get clearance from their superior before allowing them to proceed to the President’s office, as they were not briefed on the visit Wike and Umahi were at the state house last Friday, though they came separately to meet the President.

Wike came in the company of the former governor James Ibori of Delta State and the Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, while Umahi came with the newly appointed Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Senator George Akume.

Unconfirmed reports claim Wike may be considered for a ministerial position due to his immense contributions towards the emergence of Tinubu as President-elect.

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