Senate confirms Smith as PSC chairman

THE Senate yesterday confirmed the nomination of a former Inspector General (IG), Musiliu Adeola Kunbi Smith, as chairman, Police Service Commission (PSC). The upper chamber also confirmed six others as members of the commission. Smith will take over from fromer IG Mike Okiro as chairman of the PSC. The confirmation followed the presentation of the report of the Senate Committee on Police Affairs on the screening of the nominees. Chairman, Senate Committee on Police Affairs, Senator Abu Ibrahim, who presented the report, prayed the Senate to consider and approve the appointment of the nominees as chairman and members of the PSC in compliance with the provisions of Section 153(1)(m) and 154(1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Apart from Smith (Southwest),the nomination of Justice Clara Bata Ogunbiyi (retd) (Northeast) (full time commissioner); Lawal Bawa (AIG) (rtd) (North West) (full time commissioner) and Muhammad H. Najatu (North West) member were also approved. Others also confirmed included Braimoh Adogame Austin (Southsouth) member, Barrister Rommy Mom (Northcentral) member and Dr. Nkemka Oshimiri Jombo-Ofo (Southeast) member. Before the confirmation, Senator James Manager (Deltasouth) said one of the full time commissioners should have been appointed from either Southssouth or Southeast geo-political zones for balance. Manager noted that a situation where the Northwest, Northeast and Southwest geo-political zones got full member slots without any full time commissioner from the Southsouth and Southeast was not particularly tidy. Senate President Bukola Saraki hailed the quality of persons nominated for the commission. Saraki reminded the appointees that Nigerians were expecting a lot from them. He noted that due to the huge expectations from Nigerians, the Senate fast-tracked the process of screening and confirmation of their appointments. The appointees, he said, should carry out necessary reforms in the Police Force, especially reward for excellent service delivery by officers and men of the Force. Saraki also asked them to work to halt the high number of policemen who die in their line of duty]]>