By Modupe Gbadeyanka
A former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Suleiman Abba, has been appointed as Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.
Mr Abba’s appointment was approved by President Muhammadu Buhari in line with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund Establishment Act 2019.
A statement today from the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr Garba Shehu, disclosed that the President also approved the appointments of Executive Secretary and members of the board to work with the retired police officer.
According to Mr Shehu, the Executive Secretary of the board is Mr Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto, while Mr Nnamdi Maurice Mbaeri was appointed to the board to represent the Ministry of Police Affairs.
The present IGP, Mr Muhammed Abubakar Adamu, was appointed to the board to represent the Nigeria Police Force, while Usman Bilkisu is the representative of the Ministry of Justice.
Others include Mr Ben Akabueze, the Director General of the Budget and National Planning representing Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning; Engr. Mansur Ahmed, who is to protect the interest of organised labour; and Dr Michael Bamidele Adebiyi, representing Civil Society Group.
In the statement, the President’s spokesman said the appointments are in furtherance of the Mr Buhari administration’s commitment and drive to retooling policing architecture in the country by emplacing the Police Trust Fund to meet the aspiration of a well-funded, equipped and highly professional Nigeria Police Force in line with international best practices.
This objective informed President Buhari’s re-establishment of the Ministry of Police Affairs on August 20, 2019, Mr Shehu said.
He said the President also commended state governors, members of the National Assembly and Nigerians for their patriotic and spirited efforts at reforming policing architecture to deepen the country’s internal security and stated that the Minister of Police Affairs, Mr Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi, will announce the inauguration date of the board.
