PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday inaugurated two Presidential Committees on the Review of the Reform Processes in the Nigerian Public Service and Public Awareness on Security and Civic Responsibilities. He said his administration remains irrevocably committed to its constitutional role of securing the life and property of all Nigerians.
Jonathan also urged Nigerians to be vigilant and report suspicious characters to security agencies.
He said the inauguration of the committees was aimed at re-appraising the ongoing reform in the public sector towards enhancing service delivery as well as improving security consciousness among Nigerians.
The President said the Committee on Public Awareness on Security and Civic Responsibilities became necessary because of his administration's determination not to allow the current security challenges degenerate into unmanageable proportions.
Jonathan noted that while peace and security are essential in nurturing a virile democracy, some major security challenges such as intra and inter-party conflicts, socio-economic agitations, ethno-religious crises, civil and organised rebellion, and outright criminality, are capable of subverting the democratic process, especially with the general elections around the corner.
He therefore described the committee's establishment as a decisive step of his administration to engendering communal commitment and informed patriotic response by all Nigerians, "in the interest of our collective security."
The 19-member panel headed by Dr. Lateef Adegbite is mandated to re-appraise existing strategies on raising awareness on potential security threats in the country; map out strategies and create structures at the three tiers of government on how members of the public including civil society organisations can identify and deal with suspicious movements through effective communication, planning and public awareness programmes.
Its members include retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr. John Ahmadu as deputy chairman; Ambassaddor Stephen Willoughby; Prof. Godswill Obioma; Alhaji Najib Adamu, Emir of Kazaure; Eze C. Ilomuanya; Hajiya Bilikisu Yusuf; Archbishop Josiah Fearon; Shehu Sani, Mr. Gbenga Adefaye; and Mr. A. Nyam.
Others are Captain C.O.R. Ezekobe; DCP Clement Adoda; Mrs. Marilyn Ogar; Mrs. Wasilat Ikharelu Audu; Mr. Okeh Emmanuel; Mr. Yusuf Aliyu Addy; Alhaji Abdullahi Umar; a representative of the office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; and Alhaji Idi Farouk as secretary.
On the review of the reform processes in the public service, Jonathan said it was out of the need to reposition the public service as a world-class service provider to accelerate national growth and development.
The 16-man panel chaired by Alhaji Adamu Waziri Fika will study previous Public Service Reforms, assess their impact and also examine the structure of Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in relation to manpower utilisation for effective service delivery.
Other members are Mrs. Francisca Emmanuel as vice chairperson; Mr. Peres Ayoola, Dr. Aliyu Modibbo, Ama Pepple, Mr. Steve Oronsaye, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa Magaji, Mallam Abubakar Gimba, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, Mrs. Ammuna Lawal-Ali, and Mr. S.O. Adekunle.
There are also Dr. Sam Amadi; Prof. Murtala Balogun; Mr. Paul Ibeku; Deaconess J.O. Ayo, and Dr. Tunji Olaopa as Secretary.
Source: Presidential panels get mandate on security, public sector reforms (http://www.ngrguardiannews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43319:presidential-panels-get-mandate-on-security-public-sector-reforms&catid=1:national&Itemid=559)