Relationship between PSC and NPF is now Cordial – Arase; Says Institutions now respect Constitutional Boundaries.

The Chairman, Police Service Commission, Dr Solomon Arase (IGP Rtd) has declared that “the relationship between the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force is now cordial, with both institutions respecting the constitutional boundaries and powers of each other.”

Arase said, “This was achieved based on trust-building mechanisms employed through mutual respect, understanding and cooperation geared towards the enhancement of the overall interest of our national security”.

Speaking at the PSC’s Annual Award Ceremony held on Tuesday at the commission’s headquarters in Jabi, Arase however said that on assumption of duty, he took over a commission that was sliding into oblivion and was always in the news for the wrong reasons.

He said, “I must confess that I took over a Commission whose relationship with the Nigeria Police Force was characterised by mutual suspicion and distrust, preconceptions and misconceptions which snowballed into legal disputations and belligerent relationship between the two critical institutions of Government.

“A Commission whose staff was ill-motivated and ill-trained. This expectedly impacted negatively on the productivity and morale of the personnel in the performance of their duty.

“A Commission that was sliding into oblivion and hardly in the news, except on issues bordering on conflict with the Nigeria Police Force.

“The task, therefore, before me was humongous and Herculean, but not insurmountable.

“The Commission needs to be repositioned for greater efficiency in delivering on its mandate.

“The staff need to be adequately and regularly trained and retrained at administrative, management and strategic levels of leadership.

“The welfare of the staff must be looked into and addressed if the productivity and morale of the staff must be enhanced.

Continuing the PSC Chairman said, “Without sounding immodest, permit me to say that within these nine months of being at the helm of the affairs of the Commission, the story of the Commission is different.

“Contrastingly different. Positively contrasting to the inglorious past in the life of the Commission.

“Today, over 130 staff of the Commission have been trained, both locally and internationally. Retreat for management staff was successfully organised and held in Benin.

“For the first time in the life of the Commission, its directors were admitted into executive and strategic management courses in prestigious national institutions like National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), National Defence College (NDC) and Institute of Security Studies (ISS).

“It is my belief that exposing our Directors to these executive training programmes will not only enhance their knowledge on issues of policy formulation and implementation, but will also adequately prepare them for leadership positions in the Commission.

“Importantly, the issue of staff welfare is seriously being addressed. A draft revised scheme of service has been prepared, and negotiations and lobbying at both personal and official levels of contact have been activated at ensuring that it is approved for the Commission.

“Within my little powers, the sick bay was constructed within our office complex, and it is functional. A bank is nearing completion within our complex. Efforts are on to get the restaurant functional; a creche will be built within the building to care for our children who are toddlers and infants.

“For sure, better days in the Commission are here, and I must emphasise that under my watch, the welfare of our staff cannot be compromised and/or traded-off for anything. Your joy is my joy; and your concerns cause me a lot of worry and sleepless nights.

“Be assured that I will not rest on my oars until we reach that point in the Commission when we can loudly and jointly shout ‘eureka’.

6. Today is obviously not a speech-making day, for I do know that there are many interesting and entertaining programmes already lined up, including sumptuous food prepared, to make today’s event memorable. I will, therefore, not bore you with a long speech, but before I conclude, I would like to commend the staff of the Commission who have been pencilled down for an award in the course of this occasion.

To the awardees, he said, “The award is being given to you not because of your tribe or religion. Not because of your relationship with the Chairman or anyone in the Commission, but because of your commitment, sacrifices and exceptional conduct employed in advancing the cause of the Commission towards the attainment of its mandate.

“The award was conceptualised and instituted by my predecessors as a way of motivating staff to work harder and devote more commitments to duty. The awardees are, therefore, implored to note that while the award serves as an infectious encouragement to you and other staff that good works do not go unchronicled, it also comes with a burden of trust, integrity and confidence which you must seek always to extol and not betray.

“Year 2024 undoubtedly holds a promising outlook for the Commission. The year will mark the beginning of our harvest. The harvest of our efforts and contacts made so far. The harvest from series of our meetings and engagement with UN bodies and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs). It is my belief that the harvest is going to be bountiful, and place the Commission on a sure footing for a greater tomorrow.”

Among the awardees was the pioneer chairman, Police Service Commission, Chief Simeon Okeke, DIG Parry Osayande (rtd), Mrs Kemi Okenyodo, Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi, Sen Philip Aduda, and Hon Nnoli Nnaji among others

Dignitaries at the occasion included Mrs Agherase Arase, AIG Yomi Oladimeji who represented IGP Kayode Egbetokunand AIG Chris Ezike (rtd) who represented Sir Emeka Offor.