By Hosea Parah, Abuja
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has on Thursday took a significant step in enhancing its oversight of the police force by organizing a one-day capacity building workshop on leadership and decision-making in crisis and emergencies. The workshop, held on Thursday, in Abuja, aimed to empower the Directorate Staff of the Commission with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively carry out their responsibilities.
Dr. Solomon Arase, retired Inspector General of Police and Chairman of the Commission, the training and retraining programs have become a regular feature in the Commission’s agenda over the past year. This commitment to continuous learning highlights the Commission’s dedication to repositioning itself for greater efficiency and effectiveness in fulfilling its mandate.
In a remarks, Dr. Arase emphasized the importance of training programs in strengthening the Commission’s oversight role. He stated that without capacity building, the Commission’s oversight would merely be a “paper tiger.” Dr. Arase’s paper, presented by Dr. Ogbonna Nwota, Assistant Commissioner of Police and Special Assistant, stressed the need for staff to enhance their knowledge of the core mandate through training programs.
Dr. Arase highlighted the significance of effective decision-making in leadership, particularly in crisis situations. He emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and a deep understanding of professional guidelines and statutory provisions.
The Chairman emphasized that decision-making during emergencies requires a comprehensive understanding of the situation, tact, caution, and rationality. He underscored the imperative and importance of the workshop in delivering excellent service to the country.
Acknowledging the ever-evolving nature of society and its impact on the Nigeria Police Force and the Commission, Dr. Arase spoke about the ethical leadership challenge faced by the security sector. He stressed the need for effective leadership skills among managers in the 21st century security landscape.
Dr. Arase also discussed the measurement of leadership competency, stating that it should be based on observable behavior and demonstrated knowledge acquisition rather than subjective human emotions. He attributed the Commission’s recent successes to the paradigm shift in its approach to duty through training and retraining programs, acknowledging the efforts, commitment, cooperation, and understanding of the staff.
The one-day capacity building workshop was organized by Royal Bull Consulting in collaboration with Zenith Bank, highlighting the importance of partnerships in promoting professional development and enhancing the Commission’s role in police oversight.
The Police Service Commission remains committed to strengthening its oversight function through continuous capacity building initiatives, ensuring optimal functionality and improved service delivery to the people of Nigeria.