AMBODE URGES ARMED FORCES, SECURITY AGENCIES TO RESPECT HUMAN RIGHTS
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwumi Ambode has called on members of the Armed Forces and other security agencies across the country to always respect human rights and observe the tenets and principles of the rule of law so as to guarantee a cordial military/civilian relationship.
The Governor made the call today in Lagos while declaring open a two-day National Workshop on: “Citizen in Uniform, Implementing Rule of Law and Human Rights in the Armed Forces” organised by the Federal Ministry of Defence at Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja, Lagos.
Ambode, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr. Idiat Oluranti Adebule, noted that the two-day workshop could not be organised at a better time than now when there is an increasing need to strengthen the capacity of the armed forces and other security agencies.
While stressing the importance of the crucial role played by the armed forces and other security agencies in nation building, the Governor noted that security agencies provided an enabling environment in which the rule of law is maintained and human rights are respected, thereby making the fundamental role of government to guarantee the welfare and security of lives of the citizenry possible.
“By fulfilling their national security functions, security agencies play a key role in enabling an environment in which the rule of law is maintained. The fundamental role of any government is to guarantee the welfare and security of citizens; to this extent, security agencies represent an institution and an instrument through which this overriding responsibility of government is achieved”, Ambode stated.
He commended members of the armed forces and various security agencies for giving their best to ensure peace in the land and also charged them to always remember that they are bound by the rules of law and constitution of the country while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
One of the key rules of engagement which often constitutes a ground of conflict between uniformed men and the civilian population, Ambode noted, was the observance of the rights of citizens and the rule of law, adding that in a democracy, there is no room for arbitrariness.
The Governor also urged members of the public to continue to support and pray for the success of the armed forces and other security agencies in their efforts at restoring peace and stability to the country, saying “a threat to life and safety of the armed forces must be seen as a threat to the stability of the society as a whole”.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin explained that the two-day workshop was aimed at strengthening the capacity of the participants at the strategic level and urged participants to take full advantage of the programme to build an enduring cordial civil/ military relations.
He declared that the workshop would provide intellectual impetus that would boost and sustain mutual trust and understanding between various security forces and the civilian populace for the collective success of safeguarding the internal security, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.
In his own remarks, Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammed Dan-Ali stated that there was an urgent need to create a framework for an enhanced synergy among security agencies in the country so as to effectively and efficiently combat the rising level of violent crimes and criminality in the country.
The workshop was attended by representatives of various security agencies, Military and paramilitary organisations, representatives of traditional institutions and top government officials among several other personalities,