News
Collaboration, Strategic Investment Key To Curb Violence – Author
Mariam Sanni
An author, Jennifer Alih has emphasized that collaboration and strategic investments are key factors in preventing and reducing violence.
.Alih made this know while speaking at One Year Anniversary and book launch titled ; From Silence to Strength, in Abuja.
It could be recalled that the country has witnessed a rise in violent incidents, one of which prompted President Bola Tinubu on November 26 to declare a state of emergency and order the recruitment of additional security personnel.
She explained that violence is not destiny, culture, normal, and is not inevitable and can be reduced through
courage to confront hard truths.
The author who is also a philanthropist, humanitarian leader, and a social entrepreneur said the project was driven by alarming statistics that show the prevalence of violence nationwide.
“Statistics tell us that one in three persons will experience violence in their lifetime. Every 10 minutes, someone is killed by someone they know. These are not just numbers — they are sons, daughters, neighbours, friends, parents. They are us,” she said.
“Violence is not destiny. Violence is not culture. Violence is not normal. Violence is not inevitable. With collaboration, strategic investments and the courage to confront hard truths, violence can be prevented, reduced, and ultimately defeated,” she added.
Alih described From Silence to Strength and its accompanying programme, The Victoria Show, as a movement committed to preventing violence, not merely discussing it.
The Deputy Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Abdullahi Halims, during his remark at the event , reiterated the Federal Government’s commitment to tackling insecurity and all forms of violence across the country.
Halims said the government remained committed to addressing the growing insecurity.
He added that the National Assembly was ready to strengthen existing laws and introduce new ones were necessary to curb violence and insecurity.
He said, “You can see that the government is very determined to curb violence, banditry and insecurity. The APC government is doing very well in that regard.
“There are existing laws we can review, we can enact further, we can make amendments — that’s what lawmaking is all about. My duty is to ensure the laws are enacted.”
The event drew advocates, policymakers, partners and supporters united by a common message: breaking the cycle of silence is key to building safer communities.
News
PSIN Posts Major Institutional Reforms, Improved Financial Discipline, Earns House Committee Praise
Cyril Ogar
The House of Representatives Committee on Public Service Matters has reviewed the 2024 budget performance of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) and commended the Institute’s leadership for initiating wide-ranging reforms aimed at strengthening governance, service delivery, and institutional discipline.
The commendation came during an oversight visit by members of the Committee to PSIN headquarters along the Kubwa Expressway, Abuja.
Speaking at the engagement, Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Engr. Sani Umar Bala, described the visit as significant, noting that it marked the Committee’s first official engagement with PSIN under the leadership of its new Administrator. He congratulated the Administrator on the appointment and expressed the Committee’s readiness to work closely with the Institute to promote accountability, innovation, and sustainable institutional growth.
Hon. Bala recalled that the Committee’s last oversight visit to PSIN took place in July of the previous year, during which key recommendations were made, particularly the need for the Institute to evolve innovative strategies to boost its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and the enactment of a substantive Establishment Act to strengthen its legal and institutional framework.
He stressed that all public funds, including IGR, must be expended strictly in accordance with constitutional provisions, legislative approvals, and national priorities, adding that oversight by the National Assembly is constructive and aimed at supporting institutions to perform better.
“This visit provides an opportunity for us to receive a clear account of actions taken since our last engagement, the reforms introduced, challenges encountered, and the strategic direction the Institute is now pursuing,” the Committee Chairman said.
In her address, the Administrator of the Public Service Institute of Nigeria Administrator/ CEO, Barrister Imeh Okon welcomed members of the Committee and described the visit as timely, coming shortly after the completion of his first 100 days in office. He explained that the period was deliberately focused on understanding the institution, engaging staff, and restoring operational discipline rather than publicity.
According to her, management instituted monthly whole-of-staff engagement forums, reinstated weekly departmental meetings, and introduced staff morale initiatives aimed at strengthening teamwork, accountability, and a sense of belonging.
On service delivery, Barrister Imeh Okon disclosed that PSIN successfully completed the onboarding of its Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centre as an accredited facility by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), strengthening the Institute’s capacity to deliver technology-driven and credible assessments.
Shee added that over 400 public servants from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) were trained during the period, while PSIN also conducted nationwide promotion examinations for more than 2,600 staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The Administrator further highlighted steps taken to restore financial discipline, including strengthened financial controls, compliance with government financial regulations, comprehensive audits of facilities and assets, and the recovery and regularisation of outstanding revenues, all aimed at promoting transparency and value for money.
Physical infrastructure improvements were also recorded, with renovated lecture rooms, rehabilitated facilities, improved sanitation systems, fumigation of the premises, and enhanced security measures to protect government assets.
Looking ahead, he outlined plans to modernise PSIN’s curriculum, expand e-learning and blended learning platforms, digitise internal processes, and fully embrace the Institute’s think-tank mandate through policy dialogues, advisory services, and strategic partnerships, including a proposed twinning arrangement with the Singapore Public Service Institute.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of PSIN’s 2024 budget performance, in line with the Institute’s core mandate of training and continuous retraining of public servants.
Members of the Committee welcomed the presentation and reaffirmed their commitment to supporting PSIN through legislation, policy guidance, and advocacy aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s public service architecture.
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