Inauguration of Members of the Police Service Commission--Chairman's Pledge
INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF MEMBERS OF THE POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION AT THE FEDERAL EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
BY HIS EXCELLENCY UMARU MUSA YARADUA (GCFR)
PRESIDENT AND COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMED FORCES Of THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
Mr. President
Sir,
It is a common knowledge that in recent years the Nigeria Police has not been able to cope with the pressure of policing a dynamic and democratic society as ours. On many occasions it has been tried in the areas of crime prevention, detection and maintenance of law and order and has been found to be desperately wanting.
The reason for these lapses and failures is due to inadequate funding by successive governments, very meager salaries and welfare packages, poor housing schemes, corruption among serving police officers themselves and society generally, failure of police leadership and above all the total absence and non observance of the rule of law and human rights obligations and treaties. Consequently the Nigeria Police was faced with the daunting task of policing a country where there have been two sets of laws in operation, one for the rich and the other for the poor. Mr. President sir, in these circumstances the police failed woefully in assisting successive governments in achieving their primary purpose of maintaining law and order as enshrined in our constitution.
However, the inception of your administration has ushered in a new dawn of the rule of law and strict observance of Human rights treaties, protocols and obligations. You are now reforming, funding and reinforcing the police to play its part properly in our new democracy.
We in the commission shall collaborate, cooperate and work with all the stake holders, namely the police council with Mr. President as Chairman, all the governors of the Federating states of Nigeria, the Hon. Minister of Interior, the chairman, Police Service commission and the Inspector-General of Police as members to turn the police around and enable it to meet the challenges of the 21st century. This is our pledge and our mission.
Mr. President sir, I wish to on behalf of my humble self and all the distinguished members of the Police Service Commission thank you most sincerely for deeming us fit for this appointment.
Mr Parry B. O. Osayande, CFR, OFR, NPM, mni
Chairman, Police Service Commission