The debate over the proposed establishment of state police will take centre stage in Abuja on October 6, as the House of Representatives Press Corps brings together political, security, legislative and governance stakeholders.

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, founder of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, former House Minority Leader Ndudi Elumelu and Secretary of the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill, Nnadubem Moghalu, are among those expected to lead discussions at the event.

The gathering will form part of the second annual Distinguished Parliamentarian Lecture and Awards organised by the House Press Corps and will be held under the theme: “The Imperative for State Police: Securing Communities, Strengthening Federalism.”

The event comes as the Constitution Alteration Bill seeking to establish State Police Services is before the 36 state Houses of Assembly for consideration.

Moghalu, who is also the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Planning and Research, is expected to deliver the lead paper titled, “State Police, Community Security and the Future of Federalism in Nigeria.”

His presentation will examine the proposed policing framework and its implications for community security, federalism and coordination between state and federal security institutions.

The discussions are also expected to address issues including funding, recruitment, training, operational independence, accountability, oversight and safeguards against possible abuse of the proposed system.

Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, will serve as Chief Host and is expected to present the position of the 10th House on state police and other security-related legislation before the National Assembly.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu is also expected to attend the event.

Bago and Tompolo are expected to contribute perspectives on state-level governance, community security and the protection of critical national assets.

Other expected participants include Clerk to the National Assembly Kamoru Ogunlana, Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs Akin Rotimi, Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, FCT Council, Grace Ike, as well as representatives of civil society organisations, regulatory agencies and development partners.

The programme will also feature the presentation of the House of Representatives Press Corps Distinguished Parliamentarian Awards. Bago is expected to receive an award for his contributions to rural development and public leadership, while Tompolo will receive the Award of Excellence in National Assets Protection.

The lecture is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the National Assembly Library Auditorium, Abuja, on Tuesday, October 6.

Chairman of the House of Representatives Press Corps, Gboyega Onadiran, said the annual lecture was created to provide a platform for informed discussion on issues of national importance, adding that the choice of state police reflected the significance of the proposed reform to Nigeria’s security architecture and federal system.