Impact News
The National Orientation Agency, Nigeria Network of Non-government Organizations and The Open Government Partnership held a One-Day Police-Citizens Dialogue that involved Citizens from various states, 22nd September, 2022, at Denis Hotel, Wuse 2, Abuja, to discuss actions to end police brutal treatment of Citizens.
This is in line with Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which stipulates the fundamental right of citizens, including the right to life, freedom of expression and press, right to peaceful assembly and association, and right to freedom of movement, among others.
In his Keynote, the Honourable Minister of State, Budget and National Planning and Co-Chair, Non-State Actors, Open Government Partnership (OGP), Prince Clem Ikanade Agba thanked the Citizens Engagement Thematic Working Group of the Open Government Partnership led by the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Nigeria Network of NGOs for putting together a dialogue following the principles of the Open Government Partnership and the resolution of 48/134 of the United Nations General Assembly on respect and safety of lives of Citizens.
He also stated that the Nigerian Constitution stipulates the fundamental rights of Citizens which include the right to life, dignity of persons, right to freedom of expression, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, and right to freedom of movement, democratic freedom of Citizens in relation to the security of lives.
The Honourable Minister, who was represented by his Special Adviser on OGP matters, Dr. Philip Ugbodaga, further stated that President Buhari is committed to a ‘Police – Citizens Dialogue’ in the second Open Government Partnership (OGP) Action Plan, with the aim of capturing citizens’ feedback on improving policing and police-citizens relationship in Nigeria with actionable steps for resolution and feedback to those involved.
He further explain that activity 7 under commitment 13 of the citizens’ engagement thematic area of the OGP’s National Action Plan II (NAP) involves holding a quarterly zonal ‘Citizen-Police Dialogue’ with Police Service Commission (PSC), National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), National Orientation Agency (NOA) and their Non-State Actors partners.
In addition, that the expected output is a compilation of complaints, feedback and recommendation from citizens, non-state actor groups, and the police on improving policing and police-citizens’ relationship in Nigeria. He expressed joy to see the commitment receiving the admiration and attention of the international community.
He said that holding the police-citizen dialogue afford participants the opportunity to listen to each other on topics and themes of concern including discussions on how they leverage common interests in addressing civic space issues and enhancing citizens-police engagement.
The Minister assured that the Open Government Partnership Nigeria will continue to ensure citizens participations in government plans, to protect their fundamental rights. While he urged the police service commission to make further steps on their action plans of giving maximum protections to Nigerians, he appreciated the National Orientation Agency and Nigeria Network of NGOs in their efforts to introduce a healthy relationship between the Police and Citizens on security matters.
In her goodwill message, the National Coordinator, Open Government Partnership, Dr. Gloria Ahmed welcomed all participants and expressed delight. She said that the event is being organized at the peak level where critical issues of security of lives are given top priority in the Open Government Partnership.
Ahmed said that the Open Government Partnership ensures citizens’ participation in the governance process, rights of citizens to have a say on how they are governed and timely security alert and intervention are made.
While she commended the law enforcement agencies for their efforts at keeping the country safe and protecting lives and property, she encouraged them to do their job within the limits of the law, by treating citizens with dignity.
She charged participants on the need to ensure the police, civil society organizations and citizens make commitments towards a platform to advance police-citizens engagement, as she assured them that the OGP Secretariat is ready to work with citizens and law enforcement agencies especially the Police to protect the civic space.
Other speakers were Hon. Barr. Rommy Comm. V. of Police Service Commission, Director General, National Orientation Agency, Dr. Garba Abari, Director, Heinrich-Boll-Stiftung, Jochen Luckscheiter, Civil Society Adviser, OGP Nigeria Secretariat, Uchenna Arisukwu and Executive Director, Nigerie Network of NGOs, Oyebisi Oluseyi.
The panel Discussion was tagged ending police brutality: matters arrising, recommendations and follow-up plan on ending police brutality, moderated by Odey Friday, Country Director of Accountability Lab Nigeria, and supported by notable stakeholders in the sector while participants reacted and discussed willingness for stakeholders participation on having effective police and citizens relationship for national peace and unity.
