PUBLIC PRESENTATION OF THE FINDINGS OF AFROBAROMETER ROUND 5 SURVEYS IN NIGERIA

The Afrobarometer (AB) is a comparative series of public opinion surveys that measure public attitudes toward democracy, governance, the economy, leadership, identity, and other related issues. The AB is an independent, non-partisan, African-based network of researchers. 

The first round of surveys took place in 1999-2001 in 12 countries.  The Network has conducted “Round 5” surveys in up to 35 countries during 2011-2012. 

The Purpose is to measure popular perspectives on the social, political, and economic environments in each country where it is implemented and across Africa. The goal is to give the public a voice in policy making processes by providing high-quality public opinion data to policy-makers, policy advocates and civil society organizations, academics, media, donors and investors, and ordinary Africans.

Afrobarometer’s work in Nigeria is coordinated and disseminated by The CLEEN Foundation in collaboration with other agencies in Nigeria. The field work for Round 5 survey in Nigeria was conducted by Practical Sampling International PSI between 29^th October and 30^th November in 2012 covering the 36 States of Nigeria and Abuja, the Federal Capital.

The CLEEN Foundation and the Afrobarometer Network wishes to invite you to the first public presentation of findings of the R5 survey in Nigeria.  

           

Date:               22^nd May, 2013

Time:             10:00am

Venue:            De-Renaissance Hotel Obafemi Awolowo Way, by Coca-Cola Bus–stop, Ikeja Lagos

Insecurity: Looking beyond govt effort in S’East

By Anolu Vincent/Owerri

Mankind has traditionally been security conscious in any environment he finds himself, in recognition of the fact that life  is precious  and has no duplicate.

Growth and development in any part of the biosphere is predicated on reliable security network  which not only emboldens  man to settle  down, contrive  and evolve policies and programmes to realize  a stated  objective  but  also spares  him from  both  internal and external aggression.

Guided by the philosophy  of  the indispensability of dependable  security  structure, men of the pristine  stone   age even  went  further to  erect locally fabricated fence  around  their homes  to ward off wild  animals  that  could strike  unexpectedly while  hunting  for games and preys.

It is however an irony of fate that  contemporary  societies, despite  the influences of western technology  in the provision  of the basic  needs of man have had to contend  the nagging problem  of security.

The  consequences of fragile  and vitiated security structure in most nations  of the world had necessitated the ever increasing annual budgetary allocations  for security management.

Unfortunately, available indices indicate that there  seems  to be no light  at the end of the tunnel, leading  to fresh  contrivances and relentless clamour  for collaborations  between  the government and the  organized private sector  to tackle  the menace.

Against this background, a non-governmental organization (NGO) “Cleen Foundation,” which aims at promoting   public  safety, security  and accessible justice  in the country and the West African sub-region has come up with  some  far reaching measures to  curb the  social malaise.

According to the Executive  Director, ‘Keni  Okenvodo, society  needs  to be well  secured  when the government in power evolves and sustains economic policies and programmes capable  of preventing crises and conflicts.

According to her, security is about the survival, positive conditions of human existence, about peace, development, justice, whose absence creates the condition for conflict  and insecurity.

The NGO boss made the observation at a two-day summit on “Security and Governance challenges in the South East” held in Owerri.

One cannot agree less with  the NGO that 14 years  after the restoration of elected civilian government, serious  security  and governance challenges had persisted at the federal, state and  local  levels in the country.

This unquestionably has been  “exacerbated by the increasing spate of armed violence  and banditry  over widening  space and territories and apparent  inability  of the security  forces to restore  law and order, bring the perpetrators  to justice and reassure traumatized  public.”

http://dailyindependentnig.com/2013/05/insecurity-looking-beyond-govt-effort-in-seast/

Activist to Nigerians: demand security, good governance

Nigerians have been urged to demand security of lives and property as well as good governance.

The Chairman of the Governing Council of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Dr Chidi Odinkalu, made the call during a two-day summit on security and governance challenges in the Southeast, held in Owerri, the Imo State capital.

He attributed the growing security challenges across the country to inept leadership.

Odinkalu asked Nigerians to rise and insist on qualitative leadership that will guarantee the protection of lives and property.

The activist noted that the inability of the government to provide employment for the teeming youths has fuelled criminality in not only in the Southeast but across the country.

He said: “In Nigeria, we are not only faced with the threats of terrorism but also serious issues of human right abuses in our homes and offices, which often spills over into the larger society.

“The time has come for the people to rise and demand for good governance and improved security, which, of course, is their right”.

Presenting a paper at the summit organised by a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), CLEEN Foundation in collaboration with the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Ford Foundation, Dr. Ukoha Ukiwo of the University of Port Harcourt, blamed insecurity in the Southeast on the increasing number of Ndigbo who were displaced in the cities as a result of urban renewal and safety city programme.

He said as a result of the demolition of homes and business places of most Igbo youths in major cities, the population of displaced persons who were forced to return to the Southeast increased with its attendant consequences.

Also speaking, the regional representative of the Ford Foundation, Innocent Chukwumah, noted that the huge decline in the socio-economic development in the zone was largely responsible for the current security situation.

Chukwuma said the traditional self-help development efforts of the Igbo should be complemented by the government for good governance to thrive.

He urged the participants to come up with a declaration on how to rescue the zone from the claws of criminals.

Source: http://thenationonlineng.net/new/news/activist-to-nigerians-demand-security-good-governance/

Removal of roadblocks reduced corruption in police by 80 Per cent, says IGP

By GABRIEL EWEPU, Abuja
THE Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar yesterday said the removal of roadblocks from the nation’s highways has reduced corruption in the Nigeria Police Force in the past one year after he assumed office.

Abubakar disclosed this during an interaction session at a ‘One Day Roundtable and Dinner’ organized by a non -governmental organization, CLEEN Foundation to mark the post-one year of his being in office.

Opining on the removal of roadblocks from highways across the country, Abubakar said it has drastically reduced accidental discharges and eliminated the N20 syndrome, as well as harassment of road users.

Abubakar said: “The withdrawal of police roadblocks has reduced 80 per cent corruption in the Nigeria Police These roadblocks were centres of corruption, which dented the image of the Force. With the removal of the roadblocks, the accidental discharge, harassment and human rights abuse have reduced as well.

“Measures are put in place for the past one year have led to drastic reduction in complaints against members of the Force, especially extra-judicious killings and N20 syndrome.

“In improving police image and enforcement of fundamental human rights, there has been increased media presence through proactive response to media and public enquiry, greater synergy between police and other security agencies.”

Meanwhile, CLEEN Foundation presented awards to deserving top 10 police stations in the Nigeria who participated in the Altus Police Visitors’ Week, 2012, and whose performance were assessed and met the standards set.

The Executive Director, CLEEN Foundation, Mrs Keme Okeyendo said the awards has been a yearly assesment done to evaluate the poerformance of the poloice across the country. Also to challenge other police officers to do more in their service.

source: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/05/removal-of-roadblocks-reduced-corruption-in-police-by-80-per-cent-says-igp/

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE POLICING EXECUTIVE FORUM ON EXTERNAL POLICE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THE POLICE SERVICE COMMISSION

Introduction

The 7^th Policing Executive Forum was held at Bolton White Hotels, Abuja, on Tuesday 30^th April 2013 with the theme “External Police Accountability and the Police Service Commission”. The forum focused on fashioning ways to improve the civilian oversight function of the Police Service Commission in relation to policing services provision. Participants were drawn from the Ministry of Police Affairs, civil society groups from across the country and the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria. Under the Chairmanship of Mr Fola Arthur Worrey of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, the participants deliberated on issues relating to efficiency, effectiveness and the significance of the oversight function of the Police Service Commission. Papers were presented by a renowned criminologist, Professor Etannibi Alemika, and civil rights lawyer and activist, Mr Bamidele Aturu, as well as a former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Simeon Okeke. The Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, represented by Obadiah Mbila, also made contributions to the deliberations. These led to very insightful discussions.

Observations

At the end of the deliberations, the participants made the following observations:

1.      The Police Service Commission was established in 2001 after an 18-year military hiatus and should be commended for its achievements since then, including the development and adoption of guidelines for appointment, promotion and discipline in the Nigeria Police.

2.      Though the Police Service Commission is charged with appointment, promotion and discipline in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the forum observes that there is a general problem of tension in the implementation of its powers, vis-à-vis the police authorities as the independence of the Commission is yet to be recognised. For example, in issues of recruitment and discipline, there is still need for harmonisation of approaches between the PSC and NPF.

3.      Record keeping and efficient data infrastructure is still a challenge in the Commission. This indicates that there is still lack of institutional memory. There is lack of reliable data within the Commission and from the Nigeria Police to facilitate proper and efficient functioning of the Commission.

4.      The Police Service Commission needs financial and operational independence from the Executive and the Nigeria Police to enhance its authority and efficiency. 

5.      It was noted with concern that the Commission has limited ability to handle some cases brought to it by the public because it has not developed technical capacity to carry out its own investigations.

6.      The Commission has serious constraints in dealing with public complaints against the police or complaints by police officers. This undermines confidence in the Commission.

7.      The Commission has not been able to create necessary public awareness about its mandate and functions, especially resolving complaints against the police.

  

Recommendations

In the light of the foregoing, the Forum recommends as follows:

Composition

1.      All stakeholders should work for the independence of the Commission by advocating for an amendment to the Police Service Commission Act to address its composition.

2.      All appointments should be made in such a way as to strengthen the independence of the Commission. Particularly, the Chairman of the Commission should be a person with broad managerial experience. In the event that the Commission needs expert advice from the police, it should have the liberty to seek such service.

Appointment of Members

1.      It is recommended that a retired police officer should not be appointed as Chair of the Commission, in order to ensure effective oversight over the police.

2.      When members of the Commission represent specific interest groups, these groups must be consulted on such appointments and should have the power to recall any representative when they deem fit.

3.      The appointment process should be transparent, preferably with properly advertised vacancy notices.

Functions

1.      The Commission must have an independent investigative unit to look into complaints received by the Commission.

2.      An efficient, sustainable IT databank should be developed and sustained.

3.      In exercising the delegated powers of the Commission, the Nigeria Police should exercise caution and the Commission should ratify.

4.      The Commission should collaborate with the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for the purpose of receiving and transmitting complaints from the states and local governments of the Federation.

5.      Section 19 of the Police Service Commission Act which stipulates that the Commission can receive directives from the President and is duty-bound to comply with such directives impedes on the independence of the Commission and diminishes its powers. The provision should be abrogated as the Constitution conceives the Commission as an independent institution.

6.      The Commission should be given adequate budgetary allocation and financial independence.

7.      The National Assembly should begin the process of amending the Police Service Commission Act in order to enhance its independence.

8.      There is need for proper enlightenment within the Nigeria Police on the relationship between the police and the Commission.

9.      The Commission should develop effective and accessible complaints system, with the aid of information and communication (ICT).

Signed:

'Kemi Okenyodo

Executive Director

CLEEN Foundation

Forum advocates amendment of Police Service Commission Act

Participants in the 7th Policing Executive Forum held on Tuesday, 30^th April 2013 have proposed amendment of the Police Service Commission Act to make the Commission more effective in the discharge of its duties. They called on the National Assembly to begin the process of amending the Police Service Commission Act in order to enhance its independence.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting at the Bolton White Hotels, Abuja, the experts noted that the Commission has constraints in dealing with public complaints against the police or complaints by police officers, which undermines confidence in the Commission.

According to the communiqué signed by 'Kemi Okenyodo, the Executive Director of CLEEN Foundation, organisers of the Policing Executive Forum, “Section 19 of the Police Service Commission Act which stipulates that the Commission can receive directives from the President and is duty-bound to comply with such directives impedes on the independence of the Commission and diminishes its powers. The provision should be abrogated as the Constitution conceives the Commission as an "independent institution.” The forum also proposed that the PSC should be given adequate budgetary allocation and financial independence and that a retired police officer should not be appointed as Chair of the Commission, in order to ensure effective oversight over the police.

Participants in the 7^th PEF were drawn from the Ministry of Police Affairs, civil society groups from across the country and the Association of Retired Police Officers of Nigeria. Under the Chairmanship of Mr Fola Arthur Worrey of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, the participants deliberated on issues relating to efficiency, effectiveness and the significance of the oversight function of the Police Service Commission. Papers were presented by a renowned criminologist, Professor Etannibi Alemika, and civil rights lawyer and activist, Mr Bamidele Aturu, as well as a former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Simeon Okeke. The Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Usman Bello Kumo, represented by Obadiah Mbila, also made contributions to the deliberations.

The Police Service Commission was re-established in the year 2001 after an 18-year military hiatus and it is charged with issues of appointment, promotion and discipline in the Nigeria Police. The CLEEN Foundation is a nongovernmental organisation working to promote public safety, security and accessible justice through the strategies of empirical research, legislative advocacy, demonstration programmes and publications, in partnership with government and civil society.

DECLARATION ON GOVERNANCE AND SECURITY IN THE SOUTH EAST ZONE

“THE OWERRI DECLARATION”

____________________________________________

The South East Summit on Security and Governance drawing participants from civil society organizations, community based organizations, town unions, government agencies, religious bodies, academics, and the media was held at Owerri, Imo State from 23 to 24 April 2013, under the auspices of CLEEN Foundation, in collaboration with Nigeria Governors’ Forum and National Human Rights Commission. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; the Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and the Chairman of the Governing Council, National Human Rights Commission, Dr. Chidi Odinkalu; addressed the Summit.

The Summit:

Recognizing that security is a broad concept that covers physical protection and human well-being as individuals and communities, and that the level of security is defined by the quality of governance among other factors;

Noting that the South East Zone is facing a security crisis, to which governments in the zone must be more pro-active and responsive by addressing the needs of citizens and the growing poverty among the people;

Observing that State governments in Nigeria are faced with constitutional constraints that limit their control of the police and other security agencies.  Thus, in recent times, governments in the South East Zone have struggled to meet their primary responsibility to secure lives, livelihoods and the well being of the people of the Zone;

Further observing that this crisis of public security has led to increasing mistrust between people and public security institutions, leading to increasing communalization, commercialization and privatization of security in the Zone;

Recalling that many studies of the South East Zone have demonstrated that there is an increasing marginalization of women socially, economically, and politically, and rising victimization and violence against women even in homes contrary to Nigeria’s domestic laws and international obligations;

Further noting that there is a progressive de-industrialization and slow pace of new investments in the South East Zone due to the hostile business environment that exists in the Zone;

Acknowledging that the deteriorating security situation in many states of the South East Zone has deterred inflow of remittances, human capital, new investments, tourism and the economy built around cultural events such as traditional weddings, burials and annual diaspora homecoming;

Recognizing that there is growing displacement of people of South East origin and other Nigerians as a result of conflicts and government policies, such as the urban renewal programmes, in many parts of Nigeria;

Realizing that community governance institutions and structures in the South East Zone have been weakened, resulting in their inability to play any major role in governance and crime prevention; and

Further realizing the neglect of the South East Zone in the selection of focal states for development assistance, and the low presence of national civil society groups in the Zone;

Hereby issues the following declaration for the improvement of the quality of governance and security in the South East Zone of Nigeria:

1.      Election management bodies, the legislature, the judiciary and the anti-corruption agencies should live up to their constitutional mandate of conducting free and credible election, checking abuse of power, and fighting corruption.

2.      All governments in Nigeria, security agencies, and communities have a fundamental responsibility to adequately protect the people of South East Zone and indeed all Nigerians living outside their States of origin.

3.      Governments in the South East Zone should arrest the growing victimization and violence against women, and implement their obligations under Nigerian law and international standards, particularly regarding political participation and economic empowerment of women. Governments and Civil Society Organizations should engage traditional institutions to develop standards for the effective protection of women.

4.      Governments of the South East Zone should put in place sustainable programmes of youth development and empowerment that would dissuade the youths from involvement in crimes.

5.      Governments of the South East States should improve the business environment in the Zone by reducing the cost of doing business, including elimination of bottlenecks in land acquisition and multiple taxation, as well as protect the informal sector of the economy.

6.      Governments of the Southeast should improve the security environment and take measures to reassure indigenes of the zone visiting home and other Nigerians that their security is guaranteed. Entrepreneurs of South East origin are particularly encouraged to establish businesses in the Zone.

7.      Forced evictions without compensation and displacement and victimization resulting from conflicts constitute gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law. The Summit declares that urban renewal programmes should be implemented according to international standards and with a human face, and that persons displaced by conflicts should be properly resettled and compensated.

8.      Government in the South East should promote the participation of citizens and citizen's groups in governance, particularly in local governance. Citizens should demand and claim their rights to participate in governance at all levels.

9.      Government should adequately provide for public security, particularly in terms of establishment of more police formations, deployment, equipping, and provision of welfare to police officers, as well as monitoring and supervision of the police officers.

10.  Development partners, National Planning Commission and National civil society groups have an obligation to ensure an even spread of development assistance and presence across the country. Therefore, they should increase their programmes in the South East Zone.

The following are signatories to this Declaration:

1.      CLEEN Foundation

2.      National Human Rights Commission

3.      Nigeria Governors’ Forum

4.      Women Initiative For Peace and Good Governance

5.      Centre For Human Development

6.      Development Education and Advocacy Resources for Africa Initiative

7.      Integrated Anti-Human Traffiking and Community Development Initiative Africa

8.      Agape Foundation for Literacy and Rural Development

9.      Foundation for Environmental Rights, Advocacy and Development

10.      Nigerian Electric Regulatory Commission

11.      Association of Anambra Town Union

12.      Life Care Outreach

13.      Human Right, Justice and Peace Foundation

14.      Community Health and Development Initiative

15.      Habit Care and Protection Inititiative

16.      SERI

17.      Association for Youth Developement

18.      Legal Defence and Assistance Project

19.      President General Women Wing Ahiazu

20.      SOROPTIMIST

21.      Imo Town Unions

22.      Development Dynamics

23.      State \Police Hqtrs. Owerri

24.      Citizens Centre for Intergrated Development and Social Rights

25.      OCDA, Afikpo

26.      Centre for the Advancement of Literacy and Leadership