President Goodluck Jonathan has expressed appreciation to the nation’s security agencies whose commitment in the face of security challenges have been unparalleled in the war against terrorism
The President who is also the Chairman of Police Council, said this at the commissioning of the Nigeria Police International Peacekeeping Centre and the Force Museum, Abuja on Tuesday.
He used the occasion to reiterate his administration’s commitment to ending terrorism in the country, as commended the exploits of the Nigeria Police Force in peacekeeping which started in 1960, leading to global recognition, adding that the peacekeeping centre was a step in the right direction.
“Let me use this unique opportunity to appreciate the commitment and the services the security services have been rendering to this country in spite of the challenges we have.
“For the ordinary people, they may not know the commitment and the contribution of the Army, the Police and the State Security Service and their sacrifices.
“But for me who is at the centre of everything, I know what they have been doing and I believe God being with us, we will overcome challenges.
“I am most delighted to be here today at the invitation of the Inspector-General of Police to commission the police museum and the Nigeria Police International Peacekeeping Institute.
“I am indeed pleased to know that these two projects have been initiated by the police management in support of the policy thrust of this present administration aimed at building and sustaining a strong, capable and efficient police force that can fulfill its mandate and hold its own among its peers in the world.
“The exploits of the Nigeria Police Force in international peacekeeping operations started from its maiden foray in Congo in1960. It has been widely acknowledged as a matter of national pride that officers of the Nigeria Police Force have maintained this tradition of excellence in peacekeeping operations in all regions of the globe.
“The construction of the police peacekeeping institute is a step in the right direction. I am confident that it will be utilised to train and build the required capacity of our troops as they meet their obligation in domestic and international peacekeeping duties.
“The Nigeria Police Force has a rich history. The museum being commissioned will warehouse artifacts celebrating its involvement and accomplishments in both domestic and international peacekeeping operations.
“I believe that the museum will be used as a centre of learning and raise the whole body of knowledge of the force in coping with the duty that has been entrusted to them.
“I urge that the artifacts be carefully preserved and looked after. Additions should also be made to them from present and future police operations. It is only by preserving history that you can learn from itinerary our effort to build a better society and meet the demands of the society.
“I hardly need to say that we live in a changing time in which we are witnessing unprecedented violence and criminal acts. We are witnessing an escalation of terrorism.
“Terrorists acts and insurgencies are inimical to our progress. Our dear country has unfortunately experienced this odious development. We are determined to confront them and end hate and crime in our society.
“It is imperative that the Nigeria Police Force as the lead agency in the maintenance of internal security must play an active role in combating terror and providing security for our people. This is the major and compelling role of the police today.
“I have every confidence that the Nigeria Police Force will be alive to this responsibility. I wish to assure the force and the Nigerian people that everything will be done to fully support the force in our determined effort to ensure the security of our nation. Our people must live without fear”, he said.
Earlier in his remarks, the Minister of Police Affairs, Abdul Adesiyan, commended the President for his efforts in equipping the Force which has helped the Police to transform.
Also the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, in his remarks recalled that Nigeria Police participation in peacekeeping operations begun in Congo in 1960 by the first IGP of Nigeria then an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Louis Edet and has since made giant stride in global and regional and sub-regional levels of peacekeeping, under the auspicious of the United Nations, the African Union and the ECOWAS.
Abubakar further noted that among Police contributing countries, Nigeria was the first to deploy a modern UN Formed Police Unit (FPU) to Liberia, in 2004. He said the FPU deployment to ECOWAS mission in Guinea Bissau (ECOMIB) marked the first ever to ECOWAS led peacekeeping operation by any country.
The IGP said due to the exemplary performance of the Nigeria’s police officers, the AU Commission has specifically requested for a second Formed Police Unit to the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM).
Abubakar said force discipline has been restored as a result of the encouragement by the president to the extent that the police now play cardinal role in international peacekeeping operations in the world.
He said the centre will serve as a training centre in West Africa sun-region for police officers being deployed for peacekeeping operations.
“We have also enriched our training curriculum and methodology consistent with the UN standards”.
The IGP also commended the President for his unending support to the Force, especially in granting the Force, a self accounting status, facilitating allocation of one per cent by Federal and State Government to the funding of the Nigeria Police Reform Programme; and putting the Police on first-line-charge. “These are indeed landmarks in the anal of the Nigeria Police”, he said.
Facilities at the centre include equipped 250-seater auditorium, a virtual shooting range, with various computer generated scenarios relevant to Police operations, a gymnasium, an IT Centre, and accommodations facilities for 180 trainees.
Others amenities including restaurant, clinic, super-mart and banking hall will be added to the camp in the nearest future.
The Museum is built to showcase and preserve the enviable rich history the Force is blessed with, the IGP said.
The facilities were named after President Jonathan, Abubakar and other worthy individuals who have contributed significantly to international peacekeeping and officers who served meritoriously and with distinction as worthy Ambassadors of the Force and the nation in various peacekeeping operations.
