Honorable Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, the Minister of State for Police Affairs, has expressed confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria, emphasizing his commitment to fostering a robust and prosperous future for all citizens, particularly the youth.
This statement comes in the wake of calls for a protest by dissatisfied Nigerians, frustrated with ongoing economic and security issues in the country.
The minister highlighted that although the President has been in office for just over a year, his dedication to transformative policies is evident and intentional.
Acknowledging the valid concerns that fuel the desire for protest, Sulaiman-Ibrahim cautioned that the narratives surrounding the planned demonstrations, which often lack clear leadership, could lead to chaos and undermine the progress achieved under President Tinubu’s administration.
She implored citizens to allow the President the necessary time to implement his strategies without resorting to protests that could derail progress.
The minister outlined her ministry’s initiatives aimed at empowering Nigeria’s vibrant youth demographic and detailed plans for modernizing the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to meet the demands of the 21st century. The vision includes a community-oriented, intelligence-led approach that prioritizes public safety, upholds the rule of law, and builds trust within communities through transparency and accountability.
Reassuring the public, Sulaiman-Ibrahim noted that the Tinubu administration is actively enhancing the capabilities of the NPF by establishing effective frameworks and policies.
Addressing the youth directly, she stated: “As one of you, I urge you to embrace patience during this crucial phase that promises to lead us toward the Nigeria we all envision. Instead of protests, let us harness the power of peaceful dialogue and collaboration.”
The minister highlighted various initiatives aimed at engaging the youth and strengthening community ties, including ongoing town hall meetings designed to gather insights and feedback from local populations. She also revealed plans to recruit over 30,000 young Nigerians into the police force annually, with the first phase of 10,000 recruits for 2024 already underway.
Improvements in officer welfare and discipline were also mentioned as priorities, alongside partnerships with the Ministry of Youths to create platforms for youth engagement and grievance reporting.
Sulaiman-Ibrahim encouraged citizens to utilize the Police Public Complaint Committee and the Complaint Response Unit to address any concerns related to police conduct, assuring them that their complaints will be monitored and resolved effectively.
