Senator Godswill Akpabio is the president of the 10th Senate of Nigeria. Constitutionally, he has become the third most powerful politician in the country. Interestingly, last Tuesday, June 13, 2023, before his colleagues and the viewing world, he assured Nigerians in his inaugural speech after being sworn in, “We shall pay attention to insecurity and ensure that people sleep with their two eyes close and go about their business without fear of bandits.”
I was not really Impressed because it sounded in my ears as the flowery speech of a typical Nigerian politician with an office that radiates power.
Painfully, even some of our security leaders now speak like politicians once appointed into office. They lose focus and get derailed, as they get entangled with other irrelevant issues.
Since the inception of the democratic dispensation in 1999, insecurity has been Iike a cumulus cloud that has covered the country, thereby inhibiting the progress, political, economic and social growth of the country, with virtually every administration spitting fire and brimstone from the outset only to deviate along the road of governance. Akpabio is known from his gubernatorial track record and loves the alias “Uncommon” attached to his name. Meanwhile, he wants to be described as the Uncommon Senate President. In other words, Akpabio wants Nigerians to see his leadership in the 10th Senate as an extraordinary tenure. The questions are: Could this be the quality of leader we have been yearning for? A leader that would change the status quo and unfortunate narratives in security? A leader that would promise and not forget his promise? A leader made of sterner stuff. A leader with conscience, intergrity and fear of God? As I promptly remind him of his speech after being sworn in, that he and his colleagues would pay attention to the scourge of insecurity that has been slowing down economic, social and political progress across the country, this is not a time to succumb to party pressures to approve bills that are not in the overall interest of Nigerians or endorsing political or security appointees due to parochial, ethnic or religious considerations.
The Senate’s job across the world is a serious national assignment, and not where daughters of senators are showcased for marriage, when important, pressing national issues are facing the country.
Unfortunately, while the inauguration was on, many communities and students were abducted in Plateau State. The police also confirmed the kidnap of Akwa Ibom PDP chieftain, Mr. Eyo Edet. More than 100 people drowned and more are missing after a boat carrying them down the River Niger in south-western Nigeria capsized in Niger/Kwara. Similarly, two members of the All Progressives Congress from Imo State travelling to Abuja for the inauguration of the 10th National Assembly died in an auto crash.
That Akpabio intends to carry out an uncommon strategy with the 10th Assembly members would be an interesting phenomenon in the annals of the country’s legislation.
As an extraordinary Senate president, among pending bills to be passed is the establishment of state police. Noteably, the best policing system operational in developed and developing countries of the world. I recall Mr. Femi Ojodu, an aide of the former Vice President, who disclosed the intensions and readiness of the Muhammadu Buhari government to introduce the state police system. This is a progressive security arrangement that would have helped in curbing insecurity. As the Akpabio legislative team seriously pays attention to causes of insecurity and how to bring about its reduction, the welfare of all security agencies, especially the police, should be paramount in their deliberations. Apart from establishing the state police system, the barracks system should be abolished and poiIce officers made to reside within the communities where they operate while all the barracks are either reverted to beneficial structures for other public use. Paying attention to insecurity would take bold steps and determination to undo official practices that have over the years had stagnated the country and deprived it of outstanding progress often observed in other countries. Paying attention means total focus on issues that have bothered the country, with a determined resolve to right the wrongs. Paying attention further connotes that the person or body wants to ask critical questions with a view to correcting the ills, no matter whose ox is gored. Among the questions to be addressed include: where are the mobile policemen and women? Is it not time to decentralize the Nigeria Police?
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Frank Mbah: Quintessential officer
Public attention was directed at Frank Mbah’s unique and sterling professional qualities as the spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command under Commissioner of Police Mohammed Daniru Abubakar in 2007. Such fine attributes were alien in the police prior to his appointment, which were further reinforced by the olive branch and friendship he offered in and outside the office of the police that hitherto portrayed it as a no-go area. His office was made approachable in simple humility, armed with Tunji Alapini’s jingle: “the police is your friend”.
Indeed, there are police officers whose traits and personality attract success. No wonder the Holy Book says in Proverbs 22:29, “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings, he shall not stand before mean men.”
This writer, like many other security journalists, have over the years followed his professional track records. Mr. Mbah knew the height he wanted to attain as a police officer and relentlessly worked extra hard to upgrade his acumen educationally and professionally. His dexterity in the line of duty saw him qualify as a lawyer and an exceptional investigator-cum-public relations officer par excellence, as he was the first police officer to serve as PRO twice at the state command and federal level. He obtained a master’s degree in law from the University of Dundee, Scotland. He also holds a Certificate in National and International Security, from Harvard University, USA, and another from the FBI National Academy, Quantico, USA.
Impressively, his promotions were stunning and progressive, as he was promoted to the enviable rank of an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in March 2023 and on June 16, 2023, the Police Service Commission approved his promotion to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police. His promotion resonated with thunderous applause across the five eastern states with jubilation, not because this is the first time a son of the soil would attain such heights but because of his magic touch, coupled with his discipline and anti-corruption stand. He stands out as one force public relations officer who refused to loot office electronics nor did he owe any contractor before leaving office, unlike many others. He is a quintessential officer from the South East.