Civilian Oversight: PSC Hosts Stakeholders in Ibadan
By Lynn Adda
The ancient city of Ibadan, the Oyo State State capital comes alive this Monday as Stakeholders in the Policing and security sector stormed the city for a two-day National Retreat with theme ” Civilian oversight in Nigeria”.
The Retreat is facilitated by the Police Service Commission and supported by the United Nations Development Programme, UNDP.
Those expected at the Retreat include the leadership of the National Assembly, the Chief Justice of the Federation, the Attorney General of the Federation, National Security Adviser, Officials from the Ministry of Police Affairs, Nigeria Police Force and the National Human Rights Commission.
Also expected are the German Ambassador to Nigeria, Amb. Annet Gunther, Nigeria Union of Journalists and notable Civil Society Organisations.
In a Press Statement, Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the Police Service Commission, said the two days programme which will be declared open tomorrow, Tuesday, June 11 2024, by the Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde will feature 8 sessions.
“The first session will examine Policing and Oversight, practices and challenges with a key note paper by Prof. Edoba Bright Omoregie a senior Advocate of Nigeria with Babatunde Dada, Director Legal Services, Police Service Commission; Hon Abubakar Makki Yalleman, Chairman House Committee on Police and Mrs Chigozirim Okoro of CLEEN Foundation as lead discussants.
“The second session will carry out an overview of the Police Act 2020 with Kemi Okenyodo, Executive Director, Partners West Africa/Nigeria and senior Gender Advisor UNDP leading the discussion. The session will do (i) analysis of key changes (ii)governance of the security sector examining and maximising the powers, roles of the National Assembly.
“Session 3 will continue with the overview of the Police Act with Senator (Rev) Amos Yohanna representing the Chairman, Senate Committee on Police contributing during the analysis of the responsibilities of the Police Service Commission, Ministry of Police Affairs and its implications for Police practice.
“Overview of the same Act will continue in session 4 with Mrs Anuli Okoli, Director Department of Police Investigations, PSC, looking at the responsibilities of the National Human Rights Commission, the Chief Justice of the Federation and the Attorney General of the Federation and its implications for Police practice.
According to Mr Ani, the imperatives of National, State and Local Policing plans will dominate the discussions during the fifth session with Napoleon Enayaba Representative of the UNDP in Nigeria, x-raying the importance of strategic planning, coordination and coherence among the Oversight bodies.
“Session six will examine civilian oversight, the role of the Media and Civil Society with Prof. Olu Ogunsakin moderating discussions on implementations, challenges and solutions.
“Coordination, Collaboration and Innovation would be looked into in the Seventh Session with Nathaniel Danyibo as lead discussantā; Brighten Saagwe, Director, Department of Police Promotions, Police Service Commission is expected to lead the discussion on action planning for continuous improvement under the Session.
“Session eight will examine Police detention, conditions and Judicial accountability and the discussions will be led by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Frank Mba. There will also be a presentation on Human Rights and Detention conditions and Judicial acceptability”.
The Convener of the Retreat and Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Dr. Solomon Arase CFR, retired, Inspector General of Police who is already in Ibadan said the programme will bring all the stakeholders in the Policing sector to brainstorm on the best possible ways to manage policing and Oversight in Nigeria for better results.
He promised that the outcome will obviously turn around and improve the relationships in the chain of oversight bodies in the country and also form a ground work for operationalization of a National Policing Plan.
In the meantime, delegates for the Retreat are already arriving Ibadan and heading to the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture IITA venue for the programme.
