Prince Segun Oniru Honoured @ Miss Earth Nigeria

Lagos State Honourable Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure, Prince Segun Oniru, was recently honoured by the organizers of environmentally oriented pageant, Miss Earth Nigeria.

The Lagos prince was singularly honoured for his achievement with the waterfront innovations as well his giant strides in keeping safe the lagos waterfront and ocean friendly and safe for Lagosians.

Speaking to press on the pageantry's decision to honour the commissioner, Ibinabo said, "Who else could have gotten the honours? It is indeed a well deserved honour because the commissioner had been at the forefront of keeping our ocean and waterfront safe for all Lagosians. He has selflessly with the utmost support of the Lagos State government done brilliantly well with his portfolio in the cabinent. And lastly, our theme for this year isYear of water cooperation, so who else would have aptly fit for the honour aside him?"

In his words, the commissioner was all smiles but also took time to explain that Lagosians need to abide with the instructions of the state and ministry when announcements are made on TV and radio because if the coastline isn't protected, it might spell doom for everyone.

Agagu's Final Burial.......Pictures ...Buried In 5 Million Naira Cofin Donated By Unknown Person

 The remains of the former Ondo State governor, Dr. Olusegun Kokumo Agagu was finally committed to mother earth weeks after his death and some 24 four hours after a plane conveying his remains crashed yesterday in Lagos leaving his coffin intact.

The body which arrived his Iju odo hometown in Okitipupa local government area of Ondo state around 1: 40 pm from Lagos was received by a large crowd.

Sympathizers, family members and dignitaries, traditional rulers as well as religious leaders both within and outside the state graced the burial ceremony.

An aircraft carrying the remains of the former governor crashed 2days ago at the perimeters of the Murtala Mohammed international Airport in Lagos shortly after takeoff, killing 13 people.

Agagu's body was taken to his hometown by road.

Several officials, clergy and party stalwarts at the burial includes, Minister Police Affairs, Caleb Olubolade who led the Federal Government delegation; Minister of Communication Technology, Omobola Johnson, former Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Akin Aduwo, former governors of Oyo and Ekiti States, Adebayo Akala and Segun Oni; Osun’s ex-governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and Ogun State’s ex-governor Gbenga Daniel, controversial businessman Jimoh Ibrahim, Agagu’s former deputy Omolade Oluwateru, former Ogun State governor, Gbenga Daniel, PDP Chairman Ondo State Chief Ebenezer Alabi, member House of Representatives , Raphael Nomiye, , Dr. Tunji Abayomi, and Chief Tai Lawal, among others.

Speaking at the church of Ebenezer Anglican Cathedral in Iju-Odo , Archbishop of the Anglican Archdiocese of Ondo , Revd. Ebun Ogundele described the late Agagu as a man whose contribution to the world is "countless."

Ogundele said the deceased left the world of sin to join his ancestors urging Nigerians to be mindful of eternity.

He said that most people of the world have forgotten that there is life after death saying things of the world will always perish with the world.

“We came to this world with nothing and surely shall we go back with nothing. Let us remember God in anything we do. No matter how highly you are. No matter your position and level in life. Death is what each and every one of us must taste. Death knows no bound. Agagu has gone and we will surely miss him. He did what he could do and let go at the end”.

The Bishop said people obsessed  themselves with wealth driven by greed, selfishness and corruption which has eaten up the root of the Nigerian nation. He warned that if such continues many people might not make heaven as the end time is drawing nearer.

Other clergymen that presided over the ceremony include, Bishop of the Diocese on the Coast, Rt. Revd. Goke Akinbuluma, and the Lord Bishop of Irele  Diocese, Bishop Ajiboye of Igbobini.

In his words, President Goodluck Jonathan described the late Agagu as a ‘party motivator’ who will be greatly missed by all, not only his family members but his close associates.

Jonathan whose message was delivered at the venue by the Minister of Police Affairs, Navy Capt, Caleb Olubolade said the deceased wealth of experience had helped the party both at the local and national level to formulate ideas that the party now enjoy.

He commiserated with the families of those that died in yesterday’s plane crash and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss of their loved ones.

In his response on behalf of the family, the younger brother of the deceased who was also his Chief of Staff (COS), Mr. Femi Agagu commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the plane crash yesterday.

He said the family of the late governor decided to cancel the traditional Christian wake keeping to reduce the glamour that would have attended today's event. stating that the burial was done in a low key because of those who died in the Lagos plane crash yesterday.

"It was because of the Lagos crash that we cancelled the traditional Christian wake yesterday to with those people that died in the plane. On behalf of the entire family, I commiserates with all the bereaved families and prays fervently for the repose of the souls of all the dead, even as the family continues to remain in close contact with the families of persons affected by this tragedy”. Mr. Agau's first and only son, Feyi could not attend the burial as he remained hospitalized in a Lagos hospital after surviving the plane crash yesterday.

At the Manuwa Memorial Grammar School and Civic centre, guests were entertained by musicians.

It was learnt that the state governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko did not attend the funeral ceremony due to fears that he might be attacked by people in the area. 

By SaharaReporters

How Agagu's Inlaw Escaped Death ..... "He Jumped Out Of The Plane"- Eye Witness

The picture of Femi Akinsanya walking after his involvment in the Agagu plane crash stunned many.An eyewitness who works at the Murtala International Airport has revealed to Nigerian Tribune that two of the survivors of the Thursday plane crash in Lagos escaped death by jumping out of the plane minutes before it went up in flames. Pleading for anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the incident, the middle age man, who works for Sahara Energy, said he was close by when the accident occurred.

“The company I work for is very close to the site of the crash. I saw the plane tilt towards one side and I perceived the pilot was trying to avoid landing in a depot full of fuel close by. I think this was a great and timely decision because if the plane had landed on the depot the ensuing disaster would definitely be more than what we saw. “As I joined others to rush to the scene, I saw two people with varying degrees of injuries, including wounds on their heads, jump out of the plane. It was later I was able to identify one of them as the son-in-law of the late Agagu, while the other was not known to me. “The plane did not burst into flames immediately it crashed, because it gave about 15-18 seconds moments of grace for help to come. But when help eventually came, it was a little bit too late as the plane had already been engulfed by fire,” “It was 15 minutes after the depot operators made use of their JUHI that the fire fighters from the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) got to the scene, while those from the Lagos State government got arrived at about 45 minutes after this. “It was like a scene in one of the Hollywood movies, as I watched in awe when the plane veered to one side with one of its wings pointing downwards. It eventually crashed just a few meters from a depot which had tanks, I believe were full of aviation fuel. By the time we arrived at the scene, moments later, it was difficult to see what was going on as everywhere was covered with a thick smoke,” - See more at: http://www.ngtrends.com/2013/10/how-agagus-in-law-femi-akinsanya-jumped-out-of-burning-plane/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook#sthash.vAm3OVWl.dpuf

Read More at http://www.ngtrends.com/2013/10/how-agagus-in-law-femi-akinsanya-jumped-out-of-burning-plane/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=facebook, Written by Ayex Mon£y, Copyright © NG Trends

How The Plane Crashed.......Aviation Insider

AN air traffic controller at the Lagos airport control tower has given a graphic detail of how a light aircraft crashed on Thursday.

An Associated airplane on charter operation, with registration number 5N-BJY, ferrying the remains of a former Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, some family members and friends crashed near the Joint User Hydrant Installations (JUHI), an aviation fuel depot at the Lagos airport, killing 13 passengers onboard.

A controller, who spoke to The Guardian under condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, said from all indications the aircraft had a technical fault.

According to him, a female controller gave final clearance to the ill-fated aeroplane, adding that when the control tower cleared the airplane for take-off, “she was looking at the aircraft because of its size as at when it was cleared for take-off at link 4.”

“Before the aircraft got to link 4, it was supposed to have lifted up within links 4 and 5. She was looking at the aircraft; it crossed links 4, 5 and 6 before it managed to lift-up. As she was watching the aircraft, the lift-up was not as expected.

“Then, all of a sudden, she said she saw the aircraft turning right, probably to avoid the congested area and at that time, she knew there was a problem with the airplane. She said she was thinking that the aircraft wanted to make an air return land at the airport.

“In that right turn, she explained that she saw the plane nose diving. As the airplane was nose-diving, she notified the relevant agencies. All these happened in less than three minutes.”

Meanwhile, reactions have continued to trail the release of the aircraft for charter operations, considering the fact that the aircraft last flew on August 30, 2013.

A former spokesman for Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Muhammed Tukur who could not hide his anger towards what he called unlawful interference of the ministry of aviation in the running of the regulatory body, the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), blamed the crash and problems confronting the domestic airlines on “too much pressures government mounting on them.”

Tukur, who raised the alarm over the rate the federal government, through the various aviation agencies, is stifling live out of the domestic carriers through multiple taxation, said this move is enough to force any of the airlines to cut corners to remain in business.

He cited the recent introduction of new tariff charges by the NCAA, which compels domestic carriers to henceforth pay $3,000 on each take-off while their foreign counterparts are to pay $4, 000.

According to Tukur, the charges are outrageous and coming at a time when the domestic airlines are already grappling with financial challenges.

He took a swipe at the aviation agencies led by the ministry of aviation for neglecting safety for money-making ventures

@

Guardian.

Revealed: The Gang That Robbed Pasuma Of His Range Rover

Operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, Ikeja,  have arrested three suspected  members of a   robbery gang who robbed popular Fuji star, Pasumu Wonder,  of his Range Rover Sport Utility Vehicle, SUV, and an unspecified amount of  money, four months ago in Lagos.

Suspected leader of the gang simply identified as  Ade, reportedly bought a Toyota Camry saloon car, with his own share of the loot.Pasuma, had  reported in May 2013, that he was robbed of his SUV and an undisclosed  sum    at gun point at Amadiyah area of Egbeda. Aside robbing the musician said to be on his way to a function, the gunmen also abducted him and one of his aides, drove a distance  before dropping them off at Itele, a boarder town in Ogun State.

*Pasuma’s suspects

The suspects  identified as Fatai Balogun, Wale Akinjobi and Gbenga Kolawole during interrogation, confessed to have come all the way from Ogun state to operate.

A source, who craved anonymity  told Crime Alert that the police launched a manhunt for the gang after  Pasuma’s encounter, during which  they were  intercepted.

The gang, as gathered, also attacked a wealthy man in Iju Ishaga area of Lagos,where they robbed him of N500,000, his mobile phones and other valuables. After the operation, one of them, Wale who resides around the area reportedly dug a hole at the back of his compound where he buried his weapon.

But unknown to him, a resident said to have sighted him,  alerted the police who quickly arrested him and transferred him to the SARS.During interrogation, Wale reportedly confessed that his gang robbed Pasuma. His confessional statement, as gathered, led to the arrest of other suspected members.

Fatai Balogun, told  Crime Alert that leader of the gang, Ade, got the highest share from Pasuma’s loot.  “He was the one who searched Pasuma and collected money from him. But  nobody knew the amount he got. Few days later, he bought a Toyota Camry car with the loot but gave us  peanuts.   I have gone on several operations with Ade. One of them was at Ajah area where we snatched a car at gun point along Epe road. We did that operation with Ade’s car but we had a little problem on the road after Ade ran into a ditch. We had to  abandon the car when policemen came looking for us but Ade later sent a towing vehicle to retrieve the car.

Wale  brought the job that landed  me in trouble. He told me  there was a  rich man who lives in his area, that  he would want me to follow him execute the job because he does not have the expertise to do it. I accepted because the job was an easy one, as there won’t  be much huddles  getting inside. We were three in number that went for the operation.

I took N120,000 and gave Wale and Gbenga their  share. I sold the laptops  we took from the man for N40,000 each and at the end, I relocated to my base in Abeokuta, Ogun State.  I don’t know how Wale mishandled  the gun he used for the operation, which led to his being sighted by one of his neighbors,”he stated.

- See more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/10/police-arrest-gunmen-robbed-pasuma/#sthash.solD9gDC.dpuf

FCMB Restates Commitment Towards Power Sector Development

L-R: Managing Director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Reginald Ihejiahi; Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Deputy Governor, Operations Directorate, Tunde Lemo and FCMB’s Vice President and Group Head, Project & Structured Finance, Robert Grant, at the special forum on Financing the Power Sector Reforms for Economic Development, in Abuja over the weekend.

FCMB Group has reaffirmed its commitment towards providing the necessary support to ensure the successful implementation of the ongoing reforms in Nigeria’s power sector. This, it stated, is in line with its contribution towards national development.

The Bank gave this assurance at a special forum titled, ‘’Financing the Power Sector Reforms for Economic Development’’, held in Abuja on Friday, 27 September, 2013, to showcase the N300 billion Bank of Industry-Power and Aviation Intervention Facility (BOI-PAIF) initiative which was launched in 2010.

LET US RENEW OUR BOND OF UNITY, > UDUAGHAN PLEADS AT INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY

> Delta State
> Governor, Dr. Emmanuel
> Uduaghan has charged Nigerians to rekindle the bond of
> unity, peaceful
> co-existence and tolerance for one another as Nigeria
> celebrates its 53rd Independence.
> 
> Dr. Uduaghan who
> gave the charge Tuesday
> in Asaba during the 2013 Independence Day Celebration said
> that was the sure
> way to ensure sustainable growth and development of the
> country as a nation.
> 
> “In our daily
> activities, utterances,
> and interactions, we should positively impact on the unity
> and peaceful co-existence
> of the nation. We should show greater tolerance for views
> which are
> diametrically opposed to ours and allow democratic ethos
> inform our actions for
> the greater good of the greatest number of our people”, he
> stated.
> 
> While acknowledging
> the various
> challenges facing the nation, Governor Uduaghan called for
> prayers and absolute
> commitment to the nation’s ideals so as to ensure
> sustainable development
> stating that “no nation can develop in an atmosphere of
> chaos and anarchy”.
> 
> The Governor, who
> lamented the recent
> inexplicable and mindless killing of school children in Yobe
> State, condoled
> the bereaved families and called for vigilance on the part
> of all Nigerians to
> avoid the re-occurrence of such incidents.
> 
> While reiterating
> the improvement in the
> security situation and the decline in the activities of
> kidnappers in the
> state, Dr. Uduaghan enjoined Nigerians especially Deltans to
> be
> security-conscious and avoid being accessories to the facts
> of crime.
> 
> He called on them
> to condemn the
> exploits of criminals and their cohorts in their areas and
> cooperate with
> security agencies to fish out criminals in their
> midst.
> 
> The Governor said
> the state government
> was committed to promoting Public-Private Partnership in
> order to enhance
> prosperity through economic development adding: “I am
> delighted that the
> development profile of the state is on the rise. This
> administration will
> complete all on-going projects; we will not shirk in our
> responsibilities to
> Deltans.”
> 
>  
> 
> Dr. Uduaghan said
> that his government
> has spent a lot of resources towards improving basic
> infrastructure, education;
> health and transport sectors  and
> urged the private sector to take advantage of the favourable
> business climate
> by engaging in productive ventures  so
> as to create gainful employment for the youths and enhance
> overall development
> of the state.  
> 
> He congratulated
> President Goodluck
> Jonathan for his transformational agenda and effort in
> sustaining the nation’s
> democracy and assured him of the state’s continuous
> support for his policies and
> programmes.
> 
> He commended the
> security agencies for
> maintaining peace and security in the state and appealed to
> Deltans to
> co-operate with them in ensuring that the state was
> completely rid of crime.
> 
> He also commended
> the contributions of
> traditional, community and religious leaders towards the
> maintenance of peace
> and security and the realization of the “Delta beyond
> Oil” initiative.
> 
> The governor
> appreciated the cordial
> working relationship among the various arms of government in
> the state
> explaining that they are committed to ensuring equity,
> fairness and justice in
> the governance of the state.
> 
> Speaking further,
> he paid glowing
> tribute to past and present leaders whose foresight and
> sacrifices won
> independence for the country and for all Nigerians who has
> sacrificed their
> quota to ensure that the country remained
> united.
> 
> Highpoints of the
> celebration was the
> cutting of the anniversary cake, cultural display and march
> past by students and
> pupils from various schools, youth/ voluntary and women
> organisations in the
> state.
> 

"Gov Akpabio's Aide Wants To Kill Me O"-Businessman petitions SSS, NSA, Police

Popular Akwa Ibom State businessman and social media commentator, Iboro Otu, has petitioned the offices of the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the Department of State Security and the National Security Adviser over alleged attempts to kidnap and assassinate him by the Personal Assistant to Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State on Youth Mobilization, Hon. Emmanuel Ekpenyong-Bassey, and four others.
Ekpenyong-Bassey is also the Youth Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party.
Filed by Garland Chambers and signed by Paul Omoluabi, the petition, dated September 13, 2013, was titled: "Attempted Kidnapping, Attempted Murder and Threat to Life by the Personal Assistant to the Governor of Akwa Ibom State on Youth Mobilization/The PDP Youth Leader, Akwa Ibom State - Emmanuel Bassey Ekpenyong and Four Others".
The accusations levelled in the application against Ekpenyong-Bassey, an Ini born self-styled activist, called to question his credibility and character. In the graphic petition by Garland Chambers, which detailed the alleged kidnap and assassination attempt, the solicitors noted: “We act as solicitors to Mr. Iboro Otu (hereinafter referred to as “our Client”) and on whose unequivocal instructions we write in the following regards. That on 3rd September, 2013, our Client was in Uyo for the burial of the father of a family friend of his (name withheld) at Ogu Itu Mbonuso, in Ini Local Government Area.
“Thereafter, our Client commenced his return to Uyo, but unknown to him, some young men had taken down his car details and had been trailing him with the criminal intention of kidnapping him so as to eventually kill him. As our client approached a turn 10 minutes away from Itak Junction in Uyo Local Government Area and bent down toward his passenger’s seat to pick up his mobile phone which had fallen from the dashboard onto the seat, an unmarked car with four men brandishing firearms, double-crossed him and commanded him to alight from the vehicle or he will be shot dead on the spot.”
According to the entreaty, one of the alleged assailants shattered the rear window of Otu’s Range Rover Evogue SUV with the butt of his gun in an attempt to gain access to the door lock from the inside. It was in that moment that it reportedly dawned on Otu that he was in the midst of a kidnap and assassination attempt from his assailants.
The petition stated further: "Our Client was able to escape from the scene by screeching his car around through the bush and speeding off even at the risk of being shot at, but was chased by these assailants. Upon the pursuit, our Client drove to an Army unit at Itak Junction and immediately reported the incident and further informed the military officers that the assailants were on their way towards the Army unit. Few minutes after this report, the assailants arrived with one Mr. Emmanuel Bassey Ekpenyong better known as Iraq at the Army unit and they were apprehended immediately and unexpectedly. Our client immediately identified one of the assailants."
The petition further revealed that following the arrests of the five assailants, one of them identified himself as Emmanuel Bassey Ekpenyong, the Akwa Ibom State Governor’s Personal Assistant and referred to his fellow assailants as “his boys”, pleading earnestly for their release – a plea the officers were said to have turned down. Ekpenyong then reportedly entreated Otu for forgiveness, stating that he (Otu) had been mistaken for somebody else while offering to pay for the repair of the damaged vehicle. At that point, Otu was said to have left the issue to be resolved at the discretion of the police.
The solicitors further claimed in the petition: "Investigations and rumours have it that the said Mr. Emmanuel Bassey Ekpenyong, a.k.a. Iraq, had persistently and consistently been involved in similar kidnappings and murder operations in the past but has always had his way."
Having stated this, Otu proceeded to appeal to "your most esteemed office to urgently deploy the resources at your disposal in investigating, ordering the arrest of all persons directly and remotely involved in the kidnap and murder attempt of our Client who is presently unsafe and worries about his security and unknown vehicles are always trailing him in and out of Uyo."
Otu, who hails from a renowned political family in the Akwa Ibom State, pointed accusing fingers at the Akwa Ibom Government, averring: "As it looks, it seems a kidnapping cum killing militia is set up by the Government of Akwa Ibom State to silence all forms of real or perceived opposition in whatever form or manner.
“It could be that coming from a well-known political family and being very vocal and engaging about leadership and entrepreneurial issues relating to the people of Akwa Ibom State in particular, it seems the right ears are getting the wrong messages and thus, the desire to silence me seems to be of importance."
While affirming that all hands were on deck to bring the perpetrators to book. Otu expressed his strong desire to "get these individuals arrested and questioned to know their true motive and have justice served."

OPINION: IN DEFENCE OF POLICE BCMR......Mike Dada

Expectedly, the introduction of biometric central motor registration system by the Nigeria Police has generated a public debate. Given the stress and financial burden the motorists have gone through with new licence and number plate registration by the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) in connivance with some elements, it is natural for what is considered, albeit erroneously, a similar process or initiative to be resisted. 

Indeed, a lot of arguments, obviously borne out of emotion, have been canvassed to rubbish the initiative. For instance, the opinion in some media describe the initiative as unnecessary and asks the police to “concentrate on their basic responsibility”. While it apparently means to be derisive of the police, this statement inadvertently justifies why the police has to embark on the new registration system. This is because it is “their basic responsibility” to “protect lives and properties” of Nigerians by ensuring and providing effective security measures and processes.

According to Frank Mba, the Force Public Relations Officer, the new registration process, as quoted by some reports “is against the backdrop of contemporary security challenges bordering on terrorism, high incidence of car theft, kidnapping and other crimes”.  This primary basis for the introduction of the new process as stated by Mba cannot be sufficiently faulted. Indeed, N3,500 one-off charge for the registration cannot stand as a serious argument against the program. The consequence of not doing it is much costlier for the country. More so, the fact that there are bad eggs among the police at all levels such as it obtains in all facets of life and polity including both public and private cannot be a strong point to dismiss the initiative meant to improve on security measures. What is important is to create safeguard against corrupt practice and not succumb to corruption.

The argument that if the police need the data of vehicle owners, they should get that from the vehicle registration authorities, or the FRSC appears strong on the surface but it misses the point. It is putting the cart before the horse. The police all over the world are the frontline internal security agency; and as such, responsible for collation, safety and distribution of crime related data. It will be an aberration, operationally catastrophic and suicidal to expect the police to rely on secondary data from other agencies on crime prevention and detection in performing its basic functions. In the United States of America for example, the state of Illinois Police department has what is called LEAD (law enforcement Agency Database). This agency maintains an online database record of wanted persons, missing persons, vehicle owners, stolen vehicles and properties; and thereafter, make them available to other agencies that may need same. This is the international best practice.

The central motor registration is the basic responsibility of the police and not that of any other agency.  Section 3(2-6) of the Road Traffic Cap 548 LFN, 1990 among other laws, mandate the Inspector General of Police to maintain Central Motor Registry of all vehicles issued under Traffic Act (RTA) and keep data of licenses and renewals by licensing Authority.

In other words, the police are empowered by law to maintain the central motor registry and not to source the data from other agencies. Indeed, the police have been doing that over the years since 1958 and nobody has questioned the authority of police to that effect. It is not a new development as it being portrayed.  What is actually being newly introduced is to change from analogue process to the digital means. As explained by Mba, "Unlike our hitherto analogue based procedures, the BCMR operates on smart-cards and portable hand-held receiver and is a specially developed technological means of attaching automobile owner's unique traits and personal data to their vehicles for proper identification and protection purposes." (Premium News, September 19, 2013).

We should be concentrating on the future because that is where we are going to spend the rest our lives. And technology is central to the actualisation of that future. While other entities from media and banks to government ministries are digitalizing their operations and services to universal applause and acceptance, it is callous and hypocritical to accuse the police for moving similarly with advancement in technology, more so for protection of lives and properties. Of course, the police have to retrain its officers and recruit competent hands to handle and deploy the technology in order to achieve the goal.  

It should be stressed that the number plate registration and central motor registration are different processes which are complementary to improve the security measures in the country. Yes, it is a fact that a crime could be committed without a snatched or stolen vehicle. But this is not always the case. Besides, such possibility is not an enough basis to cancel central motor registration. It is expected of the owner of a snatched vehicle to report the incident to the police and not to any other agency. The information from the vehicle owner or biometric data could serve as a lead in the crime investigation.

For us to move forward in line with global practice like in United Kingdom and USA, the emphasis should be that agencies like FRSC, NSDC and others should be merged with the Police for effectiveness and to reduce budget wastefulness.

The police should be given a benefit of doubt. Technology has helped improve services and operation of other businesses; it could be the same with police. We have to pay a price of N3,500 and manpower hours spent for the registration. It would be worth every kobo if the goal is achieved. The opportunity cost will definitely be more expensive.

By; Mike Dada, Public Relations Consultant and MD/CEO,PRM Africa, based in Lagos, Nigeria.