The Minister of Information and National Orientation Mohammed Idris Malagi has call for the Nigeria Police Force to wholeheartedly adopt the national values charter and utilize it to shape a new Nigerian narrative.
The national values charter is a social contract between the government and citizens, outlining the core values that define Nigerians and promote a sense of nationalism and unity. By embracing this charter, the police force can play a significant role in promoting positive change and development in Nigeria.
The minister ably represented by Jibrin Ndache, director-general (DG) of Voice of Nigeria (VON), made this called today, 18th November, 2024 at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Conference of Police, PR Roles, and Communications Experts Asaba with the theme, "Strengthening Nigeria Police Force Oversight and Accountability Mechanism" at Unity Hall, Government House Asaba, Delta State.
According to the minister, the National Values Charter is conceived as a policy blueprint for defining us as Nigerians and upholding the ideals of our true values within our shared aspirations.
"It fulfils the missing gap in our pursuit of national cohesion, social advancement, and an enduring sense of nationalism among Nigerians. We must all realise that the Nigerian Police is in the front row of our nation’s public perception both nationally and internationally.
"There is probably no other security control mechanism that has an intimate dealing with the large segment of the Nigerian populace as the Nigeria police. "he said
The minister noted that the relationship between the Nigeria Police and Nigerian society is both historical and contextual, noting that these cardinal oversight roles, extending more elaborately to the protection of life, dignity, liberty, and property of citizens, demand accountability on the part of the police, to the constitution from which its powers are derived, and to citizens by which its social contract is bound and upheld.
"By this token, police authority rests on public consent, especially in a democratic society. Therefore, effective policing requires mutual understanding and a shared sense of responsibility between the police, the government, and the public, as policing will be impossible when the police lack public trust and cooperation.
"I believe that the matter of public trust speaks to the contemporary challenges of the Nigerian police more than anything else, and even more so, now than any other moment of our history.
In evolving development as a nation and advancement of collective dignity, the Police have struggled to deal with a complex web of relationships with the public, mainly because of an apparent contradiction of protecting civil rights while maintaining order in the state.
He said this struggle has become even more challenging as there are certain restraining, internal factors complicating the professional effectiveness of the police in performing its duties.
"For this, and the many reasons we know and can admit, the public has also struggled to accept the epithet that “Police is Your Friend”. But I must hasten to add that, the Nigerian Police is not alone in this turbulence, even as it is usually availed an easy referencing.
"Within the climate of overall trust and credibility deficit, and the overall perception gap between government and citizens, the role of public relations is now more invaluable in repositioning the reputation of the Nigerian Police in its oversight and accountability to the Nigerian public.
"It is for this reason that, I must align my thoughts, goodwill, and the current efforts of the Ministry of Information and National Orientation to today’s very important and well-intended reflection on strengthening the Police force's Oversight and Accountability.
"As you are aware, President Tinubu’s overwhelming economic reforms across all critical sectors of the economy and the nation’s institutions including the Police are very much on course. It is a defining moment in our nation’s history and must be complemented with the desired national cohesion and unity through values reorientation. It is why Mr. President has initiated the National Values Charter. It is about Nigeria's most significant social reorientation campaign, unique in concept, methodology, and roll-out strategy." Idris said