By Abiola Olawale
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared April 7 as National Police Day.
The declaration was made by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented Tinubu at the maiden edition of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations ceremony that was held in the Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
Shettima declared that the Federal Government had approved the first week of April as police week and the last day of the week as National Police Day.
Present at the event were Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf; Minister of Police Affairs Ibrahim Gaidam; Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa; and former IGP Sunday Ehindero.
Other dignitaries present at the event include Deputy Senate President Jibrin Barau; Minister of State, Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim; Chairman of Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abdulhamid Madori, and Chairman of House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon Makki Yalleman.
Others are Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja; former IGP Mike Okiro; former IGP Baba Alkali, and the Emir of Kano, Ado Bayero, among others.
The president identified a complete overhaul of the 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.
He said: “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in our tradition of honoring 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 humanize 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 valor doesn’t only represent the pinnacle of patriotism that binds us but also instills 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.
