BREAKING: Tinubu Declares April 7 as National Police Day
President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, announced the designation of April 7 as National Police Day during the inaugural Nigeria Police Awards and Commendations ceremony held at Transcorp Hilton, Abuja.
In his address, Tinubu underscored the importance of overhauling the institutional mindset and memory of police officers as a cornerstone of his administration’s efforts to modernize and professionalize the force. Since assuming office in 2023, his administration has undertaken extensive reforms aimed at revitalizing the nation’s police force.
Emphasizing the significance of training and capacity-building, Tinubu highlighted the need to equip police personnel with the necessary expertise to meet the demands of contemporary policing. As part of these efforts, the Federal Government has sanctioned the first week of April as Police Week, with April 7 designated as National Police Day in Nigeria.
Tinubu expressed admiration for the dedication and courage demonstrated by members of the police force, especially in the face of escalating security challenges across the nation. He commended their resilience and valor, noting that their commitment to duty serves as a beacon of patriotism and inspires confidence in the future.
Acknowledging the strain on Nigeria’s security architecture, Tinubu reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies. He outlined various reforms initiated by his administration, including significant investments in training and capacity-building, aimed at rejuvenating the police force.
In conclusion, Tinubu reiterated the government’s commitment to humanizing the police force and fostering a culture of excellence and accountability. He lauded the officers’ unwavering dedication and assured them of continued support in their mission to safeguard the nation and its citizens.
Tinubu stated during the ceremony, “Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, in our tradition of honouring the Police Force in the life of this great nation, we have approved the adoption of the first week of April as Police Week. Furthermore, the last day of the week, April 7th, is hereby declared National Police Day in Nigeria.” He emphasized, “Tonight, I must remind you that we don’t see you as just the shields of the nation, we don’t see you as robots. This is why we are here; we are here to humanize you.”