On behalf of the government and good people of Imo state, I most heartily welcome you all to Imo State and to this three – day retreat of senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
We have reserved the warmest welcome for the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, the Minister of Police affairs, Alhaji Mohammed Maigari Dingyadi, and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali Baba, OFR. I welcome also all the top echelon and the senior officers of the Police who would be taking part in the three – day retreat here in Owerri.
It is noteworthy that this retreat of Senior Security Chiefs is taking place a few weeks after the state hosted a similar event organised by the Nigerian Army. I am personally delighted that on both occasions Imo State emerged the preferred destination and host of such significant and important events involving our armed forces.
There is no doubt in my mind that hosting these events will help to reassure both residents and visitors that Imo State is safe again for business and tourism. All thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR and the security agencies, the nightmare of insecurity witnessed in the state a short while ago is now a thing of the past. I believe that the presence of the top brass of the Police and other security agencies in the state for the next three days will also help to restore the much-needed confidence in our people and help fortify our sense of security and safety. I hope you will all find the time to move around and interact with our people, and take advantage of your visit to behold for yourselves the profound transformation of the state which my administration inherited only a couple of years ago.
We are known for our hospitality. I, therefore, urge you all to feel at home in Imo State. I was personally delighted and somewhat flattered when I learnt about your reasons for choosing Imo State as the venue of this conference. The first of it all is the cordial relationship which exists between my administration and the security agencies. The next, I understand, is the successful containment of insecurity in the state and, finally, my undying commitment to the unity and indissolubility of the Nigerian nation. I thank you so much for these kind acknowledgement and endorsement. I would like to assure you that we will not rest on our oars, as I do not intend to relent in my determination to leave a legacy of a safe, peaceful and prosperous Imo State.
Going forward, this conference is crucial since it is aimed at evolving strategies towards discharging the duties of the Police ahead of the general elections scheduled for 2023. It is, therefore, gratifying to note that history will remember that it was in the beautiful city of Owerri, during my tenure as the Governor of Imo State, that the Police met and planned how to give Nigeria one of the most peaceful elections in its history. l say this rather prophetically because I foresee a very peaceful and credible elections in 2023. The President has made a commitment towards this and the Independent National Electoral Commission has also reassured us that this would be the case.
As you may know, I have remained a relentless advocate of free, fair and peaceful elections in the country. I have always maintained that every election dispute can, and should be, resolved peacefully through available legal channels, and not by violence or by heating up of the polity. When we as politicians accept the fact the losers of today can be the winners of tomorrow, then we will see no reason to rock the boat when we lose. I believe that this conference should look more critically at this sore aspect of our politics. Perhaps, if you do, you may find lasting solutions to the threat which election losers continually pose to our national cohesion.
I am happy that the Police high command has chosen a perfect theme for this retreat. The theme: “The imperative of a Nigerian Police Strategic Plan for a Peaceful Election”, is not only apt but reassuring as we approach the general elections of 2023. Permit me, therefore, to suggest that this strategic plan should include a recommendation that all candidates in the elections must undertake, under oath, to denounce violence. They should also commit and sign an undertaking that all disputes over election results can only be challenged peacefully through the court process, and that the parties to the dispute must be bound by the outcome of that process. I make this submission because it is obvious to me and other objective observers that post – election violence constitutes a major threat to our democracy. Whereas an election could be adjudged peaceful and free, the refusal of some politicians to accept an outcome of defeat often throws up more severe threats to our democracy.
As we all know, the Police is at the forefront of ensuring compliance, peace and order at any election in Nigeria. The involvement of other security agencies during the conduct of elections is purely complementary. There role, therefore, is to help you carry out your constitutional duties of maintaining law and order during the process. As such, you must take this responsibility very seriously. I expect that you will come out of this retreat far better aware and prepared for the challenges ahead. I believe that with the innovations evolved by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), all that is needed now is a conscientious and competent Police to conduct a credible, fair and transparent election in the country come 2023.
Apart from preparing the Police for the immediate task ahead, which is the 2023 elections, they also have to be prepared for the daily challenge of fighting crime and criminality. For some time now, it does seem that the criminals have been armed with sophisticated weapons that have emboldened them to even attack the Police not just at check points, but also at Police stations. To be frank, this is unacceptable in any civilized society. Let me, therefore, use the opportunity of this auspicious event to appeal to both governments and other stakeholders, especially the private sector, to continuously support the Police at this point when they are going through the most challenging phase of policing and law enforcement in the history of our country, Nigeria.
As we know, the protection and security of lives and property should be the concern of all and sundry. To this end, I appeal to big corporations to also step out and do more to support the police by assisting them with the provision of operational, communication and logistic equipment which they need for greater efficiency. I am aware that various states have also been supportive of the Police and would continue to help in that regard. For us in Imo State, we have long realized that a well – equipped and trained Police is a sure way of combating crime.
Let me use this opportunity to also reaffirm my unflinching support for the Police, and promise that my government will continue to do whatever we can to make their job easier, safer and more efficient. I am aware that supporting the Police goes beyond training and the provision of equipment; the welfare of officers and men of the police force is equally paramount. I acknowledge that the current management of the force has been proactive in ensuring the prompt promotion of officers and men, as well as in the payment of insurance to families of deceased officers. I encourage you to keep it up. Such gestures should be sustained as it motivates officers to give their best and to always serve with all their might. As you embark upon the arduous task of this strategic retreat, please do also find time to explore and savour what Imo State has to offer in terms of hospitality and tourism. I am confident that by the time you leave, you will be looking forward to another opportunity to return to the state. Once again, I thank you for your role in helping restore peace in our state. Welcome to Imo the Eastern Heartland. I wish you all a fruitful retreat and a memorable stay in Imo State. At the end, may you all travel safely back to your various destinations.
Thank you all and may God bless all of us.
Sen. Hope Uzodimma
Governor