By Enyeribe Ejiogu
([email protected])

Managing Director of Bascon Nigeria Limited, Pastor Bassey James has had a longstanding commitment to supporting the Nigeria Police in the onerous task of policing his home state, Akwa Ibom State.
Four years ago, in 2012, when former governor Godswill Akpabio set up a joint task force on security (known by the people as Security JTF), Pastor James quickly endorsed that move by donating security and communications equipment worth millions to the JTF. He didn’t stop at that as he continued to make further donations to the police. But he has now taken it to the next level and in the process stirred up a buzz in the state. In a telephone interview with Sunday Sun from Uyo, where he is overseeing the final preparations for the formal hand over of a new facility built by him, to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Thursday, June 16, 2016, he gave insight to what drives his passion to support the work of the police.

We learnt that you built an office facility for the police. What informed your decision to do this?
What you heard is true. I am donating a police station equipped with modern security and radio communication equipment as well as information technology. I decided to build a facility for the police because I am just impressed with what the police are doing in Akwa Ibom Satte. They have done so much in terms of securing the lives and property of Akwa Ibom indigenes and residents.
If you recall, it was the late former United States president, John Fitzgerald Kennedy, who told Americans on the day of his inauguration in 1961: “Ask not for what your country can do for you; but rather ask for what you can do for your country.” So my decision to build the police station is simply the expression of the desire to live out the intent and purpose of what Kennedy said: to inspire patriotism and a sense of service to one’s country. I am going to hand it over to the Akwa Ibom Police Command on June 16, 2016. The police station is located along Airport Road, Uyo, capital of the state.
Everyday the officers and men of the police toil under the sun and in the rain or even in harmattan cold to protect and secure the lives and property of Nigerians. They face perils daily as they battle all shades of criminals while most of us sleep and even snore in the comfort of our homes. Oftentimes, they face the challenge of not having adequate number of operational vehicles, equipment and suitable office facilities. I do recognize that the government is making efforts to fund the police in the quest to provide new infrastructural facilities. Efforts have also been made to improve existing facilities. Though the Nigerian Police Force is a federally funded security organization, we all know that several state governments have also supported the police through the state security vote by providing operational vehicles. Yet, we must recognize and accept that the government cannot do it all. That is why individuals and private sector organizations need to play a role in supporting the police. That was why I chose to donate a modern police station to the Akwa Ibom Police Command in appreciation of the good work they are doing in my state.
This is one small way of demonstrating my company’s social responsibility and as a good citizen of Nigeria and indigene of Akwa Ibom State. I believe that individuals and major companies should also endeavour to support the police at the national, state and local government levels. People who have the means should generally support the police, by providing operational facilities to aid the police in carrying out their responsibilities, because we are all beneficiaries of the work of the police. Policemen need our support; they need our prayers. Whatever you can do to enhance security in Nigeria is very, very important. By doing so, you will be encouraging the people to have confidence in the police because policing is not an easy job. From time to time, there is need for people to support and pray for them; and also encourage them.

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Have you ever done this type of intervention project before or is this the first time?
It is not the first time. In 2012, our former governor, His Excellency Godswill Akpabio, who is now a senator, established a joint task force on security. And I supported the Security JTF by donating security and communication equipment worth millions of naira. I also supported the other security agencies in the state by giving them walkie-talkies and security equipment. In line with the advice of late John Kennedy, I think this is what I should do for my state. The then governor was happy and impressed with the gesture. You cannot over-emphasize the importance of security in any given society. I would do more and pray that God would give me the grace to do more for the people of my state.
The police station that I am donating will have modern facilities that will enhance the operational efficiency of the police. I believe the police will, by this gesture, see that the indigenes of Akwa Ibom State appreciate what they are doing to secure lives and property in the state. I want to commend the present Commissioner of Police in the state, who has demonstrated strong leadership qualities and has worked hard with his officers and men to secure the people of Akwa Ibom. I doff my hat to him. We are happy with his style of service to the people. I also want to encourage other indigenes of the state to support the police and build facilities in their communities for the police. I must also note that supporting the police is not only in terms of building facilities or giving equipment; those who cannot give material things, can also get down on their knees and pray for the police. The police need our prayers.

You have talked about what you have done as an individual. As a person who is familiar with the security situation in the state, what has the state government done to support the police?
Governor Udom Emmanuel has done so much. He is an ex-banker who understands the importance of security to economic development and particularly, the quest to attract foreign investors. I commend the governor for what he has been doing to support the police command in the state.

In the face of all the trouble that herdsmen are causing, it appears that on June 16, the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase will have cause to smile when he cuts the tape to declare the station open and also unveil the commemorative plaque. Is that the case here?
Naturally, we have informed and invited the IGP. He was once the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State. In fact he witnessed the donation of communication gadgets by my company to the Security JTF in 2012. So I would be the happiest person to have him come to Akwa Ibom State. But he is a very busy man. However, I believe that the police hierarchy will be represented at the event. So it is likely that the police commissioner, who is doing a great work for the people of Akwa Ibom State would represent him.

Has Akwa Ibom State ever had her indigenes occupy the top echelons of the police hierarchy?
Yes of course, we have had sons of the state who were IGP. The first was Louis Edet, who was immortalized by the government when the police headquarters building in Abuja, was named after him. Also, Etim Inyang was an IGP. Akwa Ibom has had a long relationship with the Nigeria police. These two people impacted the police style on the lives of many people. So it behoves all indigenes of Akwa Ibom State to give active and ardent support to the police, because we have had great sons in the hierarchy of the police. I am happy to identify with the police, I am happy to be part of the success story of the police. I want to be part of the national group of supporters of the police. I will continue to spend quality time praying for the officers and men of the police. They need our prayers. We must do whatever we can to support them. I believe that our little contribution will go a long way to assist them in discharging their responsibility to the society. What we are doing may be a little thing, but I believe that Akwa Ibomites know that their state has produced IGPs, DIGs, AIGs and now another son is demonstrating concrete support to the police.