By Oluwakemi Kindness
Experts will on Tuesday examine the proposed State Police Bill and its implications for security and federalism at the second annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture of the House of Representatives Press Corps.
The lecture, is themed, “The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism.”
Chairman of the House Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran, said the discussion is timely as the constitutional amendment bill seeking to establish State Police Services is before the 36 State Houses of Assembly for consideration.
Onadiran said the forum would allow experts and stakeholders to examine the proposed policing framework and provide perspectives that could assist ongoing deliberations by the state assemblies.
The Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Nnadubem Moghalu, is expected to deliver the keynote lecture.
Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago, Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu and former House Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu are among the expected panel discussants.
The discussions are expected to cover issues including funding, recruitment, training, operational independence, accountability and oversight of the proposed state police structure.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, is expected to serve as chief host, while Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu is also expected at the event.
The lecture will also feature the presentation of awards to Governor Bago, Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, and NALTF Executive Secretary Henry Nwawuba.
The lecture follows a medical outreach organised for members of the House Press Corps in partnership with the Teen Ambassadors Foundation.
In a letter of commendation, the foundation’s Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, P.A. Adiwu, commended the Press Corps for making the medical outreach part of its 2026 Legislative Press Week.
Adiwu said the initiative reflected the importance the Press Corps leadership places on the health and well-being of its members.
He also expressed appreciation to the Press Corps for the partnership that enabled the foundation to provide free medical services during the outreach.
