…As Imo CP Danjuma receives award for Commitment to Professionalism
From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
In a bid to address the insecurity in the state, African Youths Initiatives on crime Prevention ( AYICRIP) in colloboration with Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre( RULAAC ) , and the Imo state police command held a One – Day maiden Youths Dialogue on insecurity and the prevention of crime.
The Keynote Speaker, Dr. Emmanuel Ibeh,a retired Director, Police Service Commission speaking on “Insecurity and Crime Prevention Through Partnership Building” emphasized that for effective security and crime prevention, good relationship must exist between the police and the larger society.
He stated that trust deficit between the police and the public is not commendable, saying that there should be effort to build trust and healthy working relationship between the police and civilians.
Also, he advised the people to look inward and see how to assist the police because they are not given their due, stressing that some of them use their personal income to carry out official duties.
Dr Ibe said that funding, training, equipment and welfare of Police officers must be prioritized by the government to ensure effectiveness.
According to him, Police is one of the most important elements of government in the world because of the great roles they play in securing lives and property at the expense of their own lives.
However He noted that Imo State has improved in security situation since Danjuma Aboki assumed office as Commissioner of Police in Imo State, adding that he is different, professional and committed to security service.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Aboki Danjuma represented by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Edwin J. Mpat, who thanked the organizers of the dialogue for such initiative and appreciated the award given to Imo state Commissioner of Police and the Command by extension, saying that the award will spur the CP and Command to do more.
His words “When we talk of insecurity, the youths are at the forefront of the issue. The youths are becoming enemies of the society instead of agents of change. Security is a collective responsibility. Let the youths channel their energies, passion, strength and capacity towards supporting the police to ensure a safe society.
“The support of the youths and women are important to the police to carry out our constitutional mandate. We need you and you need us to fight crime. Police is your friend. Police is like water. Our love for you is constitutional. We take risks day and night to ensure you are secured. We have rotten eggs everywhere including the church so do not hate the Police, show us love and support. Together we shall build a secured society”
Earlier, The Executive Director, RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, stated that RULAAC recognises the importance of partnership, constructive engagement and collective action by all stakeholders including the youth, women, religious and traditional leaders, and police officers to have an effective dialogue to work collaboratively to end insecurity and youth involvement in crime and violence in Imo State.
He stated that insecurity is rooted in and fuelled by socio-economic and political factors, including social inequalities, unemployment, poverty, corruption, injustice, oppression and lack of access to essential social amenities such as education and health, therefore strategic steps should be taken including youth and community engagement, dialogue in ultimately addressing the socio-economic and political root causes and factors driving insecurity and crime.
He urged the government to ensure that funding, training, equipment and the welfare of police officers are prioritised, adding that radical improvement in police welfare is the surest means to humanise the police and fight corruption.
The Convener of the epoch dialogue and Executive Director, AYICRIP, Ambassador Chris Chidi Ibeh, expressed gratitude to the Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma for exhibiting professionalism and excellence in the discharge of his duties.
He thanked the youths for their involvement in the meeting, charging them to utilize their energy, creativity, passion and brain to take ownership of security actions to ensure equitable and sustainable environment for all of us.
Ambassador Ibe also suggested that there should be Police and Youth Accountability Forum where the CP will be an Admin, and the Youth and women leader will be Co-Admins, so that there will be quick information and immediate response on security issues.
Equally, Comrade Humphrey Osuji, Chairman, National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYAN) Imo State Chapter, commended the governor of Imo State for his courage in fighting security.
He commended CP Danjuma for his pragmatism and patriotism, saying that Imo Youths repose absolute confidence in his capacity.
The Youth leader stated that the youths are unhappy for their non – inclusion in decision making process and for not being given enabling environment to function as youths.
He lamented that the youths are not empowered but are denied necessary advantages, used and abandoned by people who should be leaders of the society, hence the reason of the restiveness amongst youths.
However, he revealed that his leadership has started enlightening the youths on ways to contribute effectively to the society through appreciable engagements, constructive dialogues and result oriented approaches.
Similarly, the National President of National Association of Imo State Students (NAISS), Comrade Obi Okechukwu Anthony, expressed concerns on alleged incessant harassments of students within Imo Campuses by Police Officers and stated that instead of unnecessary harassments, the students should be involved in campus safety initiatives to work in synergy with security operatives to ensure security of students lives and property.