Appreciating Policemen Will Improve Service Delivery – Judge
Judge of the Court of Appeal, Enugu Division, Justice Olubunmi Oyewole, has called for an attitudinal change towards the negative perception of Nigerians about policemen.
The judge made the call while delivering lecture at the 33rd Convocation of the Yaba College of Technology (YABATECH) in Lagos.
The lecture was titled: “Ethical Values, Good Governance and Nation Building”
Justice Oyewole who said though many do not perceive the police as friends, urged Nigerians to show love to policemen.
The judge explained that Police endure a lot in the course of carrying out their duties.
Justice Oyewole said appreciating the police would make them more productive in fighting insecurity in the country.
“Whether we like it or not, when we remove all other things these men are fighting battles; they are on the war front on a daily basis.
“Only last week armed robber struck in Falomo; they left a police man dead. A colleague of mine was abducted about two weeks ago by kidnappers. The first target was her police orderly.
“Daily and hourly these people make sacrifices and maybe love flowing from us to them for that thankless service and sacrifices daily made could go a long way in solving our security challenges.”
Oyewole said good governance rests on eight elements – rule of law; transparency; responsiveness; consensus orientation; equity and inclusiveness; effectiveness and efficiency; accountability; and participation.
To achieve good governance and nation building, Justice Oyewole noted that ethical values must be embraced by both the political leaders and the governed.
“Our reality as a nation is that where regulations exist, we work around them and break them with impunity and would rather blame everyone but ourselves. We want a different fruit from the seed we sow! But unyielding is the law of nature; whatsoever a man soweth, that he shall reap. And in multiples too,” he warned.
However, Oyewole urged Nigerians not to be tired of calling out what is wrong so justice could prevail.
The School Rector, Mr Obafemi Omokungbe, presented paintings to the Judge for delivering thought-provoking lecture and contributing to national discourse.
