Insurgency: IGP approves N39million for Scholarships; visit Italy for Police Cooperation.

Insurgency: IGP approves N39million for Scholarships; visit Italy for Police Cooperation.
The Inspector–General of Police, Solomon Arase, has approved the release of ₦39.6 million for scholarship award to 327 students who were successful in the scholarship award examination conducted by the Nigeria Police Force Foundation.

The fund from the foundation was for payment of two years’ school fees for the awardees that were the first batch of the beneficiaries.

The Director, Directorate of Police Education, DCP Kabiru Ibrahim, who announced this on Wednesday in Abuja, explained that the scholarship scheme covers primary and secondary school pupils, but would soon be extended to university students.

He said, “The Inspector-General of Police, Solomon Arase has graciously approved the release of ₦39,647,600 for the scholarship award granted to 327 students who are the first batch of NPF Scholarship award beneficiaries.

“The scholarship award, which is meant for the children of deceased and serving policemen, is going to be a continuous exercise that will be carried out yearly.

“The IG called on all well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organizations and international bodies to key into the scholarship foundation which is the first of its kind, aimed at assisting children of deceased and serving officers.”

Meanwhile, the IG has embarked on a four-day official visit to Italy, as part of efforts to improve professionalism in the police.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olabisi Kolawole, said the visit, which commenced on Tuesday, was at the invitation of the Italian Government, noting that it was initiated to demonstrate their (Italian Government’s) willingness to enhance the capacity of the Nigeria Police, particularly, in the area of intelligence, special operations and investigations.

It said the visit would provide a unique opportunity for the IG to highlight the efforts of the Federal Government towards repositioning the Force and situating its operations within the dictates of rule of law and best international policing practices, “especially now that the Force is preparing to restore civil authority in the areas liberated from insurgents in the North-East region of Nigeria”.

The statement further said that bilateral cooperation and interventions will also be extensively explored.

It said, “While in Italy, the IG will meet with the Head of Italian Carabinieri Corps, Head of Italian National Police, Head of Carabinieri Investigation Unit, Head of Carabinieri Special Operations Unit, and the Head of Italian General Detective Unit.
“He will also visit and interact with the leadership of the Intelligence Analysis facility of the Italian Police and engage with the Executives of Berretta Firearms Manufacturing Company all in an effort to build international partnership and support for the enhancement of the intelligence, operations and investigation capacity of the Nigeria Police as well as explore opportunities for specialized trainings for the Force.”

Arase is expected to conclude the visit on Saturday.
END.