By Victoria Onyisi
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Police Affairs, Dr. Sani Gwarzo has reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to implementing a comprehensive police reform to revolutionize the policing landscape by fostering inclusivity, community engagement, intelligence-driven operations, and technological integration.
He stated this during the Bi-Monthly Consultative Meeting of the Directors/Heads, Reform Coordination, And Service Improvement at the Ministry of Education Conference Centre, Abuja.
The Permanent Secretary said that, currently, the Ministry of Police Affairs is spearheading policy reforms and administrative initiatives aimed at bolstering the operational efficiency of the NPF and improving welfare and morale.
In addition, the Ministry is actively engaging in nationwide citizens’ town hall meetings to foster community participation in policing and secure enhanced support from critical stakeholders for policing operations.
Sani-Gwarzo stated that the adoption of the SERVICE COMPACT with all Nigerians (SERVICOM) signals a realization that the Public Service could do better and needs to do better, to serve the Public adequately.
He said: “There is a confluence of goodwill across all strata from President Bola Tinubu that has written agenda that has been itemized, calculated and weighted in percentage and given the mandate to the Ministers with a term of references broken down into themes with the Head of Service that has given reforms agenda in a compendium called FCSSIP 25 and other documents to support as well as translating same into actions driven by directors”.
He said, “Most of the time it is the director’s reforms that can make or destroy the Ministry. I like that attitude of being in the first position that is what the President Tinubu told us during a retreat. We must win, we must succeed, and it is not negotiable”.
In her keynote address, the Permanent Secretary, Service Policy and Strategies Office (SPSO) Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Debora Odoh, pointed out that Directors and Heads of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement in the Ministries and Agencies occupy a privileged position in the architecture and hierarchy of institutions implementing the ongoing reforms in the public service.
She added that the meeting provides another opportunity to examine their achievements in the past months on the implementation level of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP25) and other reform initiatives, and the way forward.
Earlier, the Director of Reform Coordination and Service Improvement, Ministry of Police Affairs, Mr Ibrahim Musa Mshebwala in his paper presentation titled “Synopsis of Police Reform in Nigeria” stated that the ongoing pursuit of comprehensive police reform is a multifaceted approach that addresses the systemic challenges facing the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) while incorporating lessons learned from past reform efforts.
He added that the strategy emphasizes a holistic and inclusive approach, prioritizing collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, and the public.
“Unlike previous attempts, we emphasize political will more, recognizing its pivotal role in driving meaningful change within the NPF.
Additionally, we are committed to fostering transparency and accountability at all levels of the police force, instituting robust oversight and delivery mechanisms, and ensuring that reform initiatives are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the communities they serve”. He stressed
