Top Nigerians yesterday expressed satisfaction at the success recorded at the National Security Summit which held in Abuja on Monday.
The summit jointly organized by Police/The Sun Publishing Limited, attracted eminent dignitaries with President Muhammadu Buhari in attendance.
Below is a review of the summit:
Retired AIG – Donald Iroham
It was a successful summit. I consider it as agenda setting initiative for the Federal Government. The promise by President Buhari to employ as many as 10,000 more policemen is something to cheer about, if implemented.
A distillation of the various submissions made by the resource persons and other contributors should help in the quest to build a police force that all Nigerians would be proud of.
You see, we fail if we don’t plan. We may not arrive at our destination in one day. A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. The Sun has kick-started a movement that will produce some concrete and tangible improvements to policing. The government is serious and I want to believe they will deliver on their promise.
Optimism is the watchword here.
Former CP Olayinka Balogun
The summit was a very good step in the right direction.
But the only thing is that there was nothing new about what were discussed. We have been talking about state police, community policing, decentralization of the police and finally, the strength of the force.
I watch the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mr. Solomon Arase, talking and explaining the decentralization of the police so that the Area Commander, the Divisional Police Officer should have some powers and fund to take care of their jurisdictions not sitting down waiting for the Commissioner of Police or the Inspector General of Police before action would be taken.
Another aspect where I am so happy about is the bold response of President Buhari to increase the strength of the police by additional 10,000 personnel.
But, I am quick to say that we need more. We thank the President, but we really need more.
All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh
He commended IGP Arase for partnering The Sun to organize the National Security summit, the intervention was most timely.
According to Umeh, there is no better time than now for such a gathering, noting that there had been similar efforts in the past, but of less rating.
“Yesterday was a major event. Mr. President was there with virtually everybody that matters in the country, which shows that everybody is interested in the security of lives and property of Nigerians.
The quality of attendants was the best ever witnessed, the discourse and the communiqué received at the end of it all are far-reaching. I am sure if well implemented, it is capable of leading the nation out of the present security challenges,” he said.
Chief Chris Udeze, Security Consultant
On his part, Chief Udeze said from what transpired at the event yesterday, the police should go back to the drawing board and ensure there is mutual respect and understanding between the community and police.
According to him, the Imo State template as espoused by the state delegate is worthy of emulation of how to evolve a community-based approach to security challenges.
He described the summit as a huge success.