Smear Campaign Won’t Stop Police Reforms, CASA Stands with IGP Egbetokun

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Civic Alliance for Security Accountability (CASA) has strongly condemned what it calls a coordinated campaign of calumny against the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, urging Nigerians to disregard all unfounded attacks on his person and leadership.

In a statement released on Friday, May 30, 2025, the President of CASA, Charles Egbunike, described the attacks as part of a broader agenda to discredit not just the IGP, but also President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, under whose administration Egbetokun was appointed.

“These campaigns are not only malicious but deliberately designed to create instability,” Egbunike said. “Those behind them are not just attacking the IGP; they are using him as a tool to hit at the President. This is because of the IGP’s long-standing association with President Tinubu, dating back to when he served as his Chief Security Officer during Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State more than two decades ago.”

According to the group, the real masterminds behind the smear campaign are disgruntled elements who lost out following the IGP’s recent reforms aimed at sanitizing the system, especially his decision to implement the position of the law and the Police Service Commission on retirement age and service years. These individuals, who are angry over the unalloyed support Egbetokun enjoys from the President and the members of the Nigeria Police Force, he said, are now collaborating with unscrupulous figures in the online media space who have been paid to do a hatchet job.

“These individuals prospered under a corrupt system and are now resentful because Inspector General Egbetokun has put an end to that era of impunity and unprofessional conduct. They are using faceless online platforms and questionable media outlets to spread lies and cast doubt on the IGP’s credibility. Very soon, we will start revealing the people behind this campaign, including a retired Senior Police officer who is unhappy about the way he left office. We will also expose those paying for online attacks meant to weaken the police and, by extension, the government. This is not just an attack on one man, it is an attempt to undermine national security. We will not let that happen,” Egbunike said.

Speaking alongside Egbunike,  a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Idris Dauda Dabban, described IGP Egbetokun, as a truly professional, hardworking, humble and forward-thinking officer whose leadership is shaping a more disciplined and professional Nigerian Police Force as he advises those who are attacking him for their myopic selfish reasons to desist from it.

AIG Dabban (rtd), who was a coursemate of Egbetokun at the Police Academy and later served closely with him, gave personal insights into the character and work ethics of the country’s top cop.

“IGP Egbetokun is a very humble, selfless, courageous and hardworking officer,” Dabban said. “He’s someone who listens, interacts well with people, and genuinely cares about getting the job done.”

Their connection goes way back, not just as coursemates but also as close colleagues posted to the same units and living in the same police barracks. According to Dabban, that experience gave him a front-row view of the IGP’s drive, care for the people and passion for duty.

“After we left the academy, we were both posted back to Lagos. We served in the same unit and even lived in the same barracks at Satellite Police Barrack. I can confidently say I know him very well,” Dabban recalled.

“He’s always ahead, very proactive, never reactive. He doesn’t tolerate anything that goes against the ethics of the Force. He’s very forward-looking, passionate about the job and holds himself and others to high standards. I can say Nigerians are lucky to have this kind of incorruptible cop as their IGP.

“He’s a nationalist, he is never tribalistic or considers religious sentiment. For him, it’s all about the job, work, work, and more work. He’s fully committed to building a better police force that I am certain about.”

Speaking in a similar vein, the Secretary-General of CASA, Emamode Peters, praised IGP Egbetokun for the positive changes he is bringing to the Force.

According to him, Egbetokun is not only a strong leader but also a highly educated officer who brings deep knowledge and discipline into policing.

He said, “One thing I admire most about the IGP is his work ethic. He drives his subordinates hard because he believes in results. Laziness and unprofessional conduct have no place under his leadership. I have personally observed that he leads from the front; he works round the clock, comes to the office early, and spends more than 14 hours in the office daily, and I also know that most days he does not go to bed until 4 am. Because he continues with meetings and work at home. I marvelled at how he attends to the deluge of work and files on his table and he does all of that with vigour and professionalism.”

NiMet SAPZ Partner to Empower Smallholder Farmers Across Agro Processing Zones

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has formalized a strategic partnership with the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) Program to advance climate resilience and sustainable agriculture across key farming regions in Nigeria.

The partnership, formalized in Abuja, will initially be implemented across seven pilot states—Cross River, Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Ogun, Oyo, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT)—with a roadmap to scale nationally. The initiative targets smallholder farmers and agro-processors, equipping them with real-time weather forecasts, seasonal climate predictions, and tailored advisory services to improve decision-making and mitigate climate-related risks.

The SAPZ initiative, a five-year national agricultural transformation program co-financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), aims to stimulate inclusive agro-industrialization, raise rural incomes, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on food imports.

Professor Charles Anosike, NiMet’s Director-General/CEO, welcomed the partnership, emphasizing that meteorological services are critical to enhancing food security and reducing climate risks within Nigeria’s agricultural value chains. “We are proud to support SAPZ’s vision with timely, accurate, and accessible climate information. No farmer should be left behind in the climate-smart agriculture movement,” he said.

Dr. Kabir Yusuf, the National Program Coordinator for SAPZ, emphasized the critical role of climate-smart solutions in addressing the unpredictable weather patterns that pose a threat to agriculture. He stated, “This collaboration with the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) will provide actionable climate data and advisory services to farmers and agro-processors, thereby enhancing productivity, minimizing losses, and fostering resilience.”

Under the agreement, NiMet will provide seasonal rainfall forecasts, localized weather updates, training for extension workers, install mini weather stations, and develop innovative applications for real-time alerts. SAPZ will integrate NiMet’s climate data into its Agricultural Industrial Hubs and Transformation Centers, supporting training, equipment, and infrastructure deployment.

A joint technical committee will oversee implementation, monitor progress, and develop innovative solutions such as localized crop calendars and precision farming tools. The MoU is initially valid for five years, with plans to evolve into a long-term institutional framework supporting Nigeria’s national climate adaptation strategy.

DG/CEO Anosike Elected President ECOWAS Committee of Directors of National Hydrological and Meteorological Services

AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM

SPONSORED BY: H&H

Professor Charles Anosike, the Director General/Chief Executive Officer, & Permanent Representative of Nigeria with WMO, has been elected President of the ECOWAS Committee of Directors of National Hydrological and Meteorological Services (NMHSs). His election took place during the Committee’s 14th Meeting, which was held from 20 to 22 May 2025 in Abuja, Nigeria.

The Committee, comprising heads of NMHSs across West Africa, promotes regional collaboration on weather, climate, and water services, with a focus on early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, and climate resilience under the ECOWAS Hydromet Initiative.

In his acceptance remarks, Professor Anosike reaffirmed his dedication to strengthening regional cooperation:
“As we confront the challenges of climate change, our collective action is crucial. I am honoured to lead this Committee at such a pivotal time.”

Delegates from ECOWAS member states—Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo, and Cape Verde (virtually)—attended, along with partners including WMO, ACMAD, AGRHYMET, WASCAL, ECOWAS Commission, the World Bank, and MOWCA.

The meeting was officially opened by Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr. Festus Keyamo, SAN, alongside Dr. Ibrahim Kana, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry. A key highlight was the review of the “Early Warnings for All (EW4ALL)” initiative, targeting full regional implementation by 2027.

Prof. Anosike’s election underscores Nigeria’s regional leadership and commitment to advancing climate action, innovation, and coordination among NMHSs in West Africa.