By Jimitota Onoyume 

Chairman of the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, APBN, Delta state chapter , Rev Lewis Afolabi,  has  said the body is firmly in support of  the State Police bill , describing it as  a strategic reality to  effectively curb the rising rate of crime across the country . 

Speaking yesterday  in Warri, Delta state at his investiture  ceremony as Chairman of the body in the state and the inauguration of the executive council,  Afolabi also enjoined the federal government to revive the four seaports in Delta state and the Delta steel company , Aladja. 

” The prevailing state of insecurity in Nigeria continues to impede professional practice . In this regard , the APBN ,Delta state chapter welcomes the State Police bill as a strategic instrument for grassroots security management. We lend  our unequivocal support to this initiative . 

” Delta state is endowed with four ports yet their operational capacity remains suboptimal. We respectfully urge the federal government to accord the revival of Delta state’s ports the urgency it deserves. This appeal extends to the Delta steel company, Aladja”, he said.

He further appealed to   governments at all levels in the country to also engage seasoned professionals from the private and corporate sectors as special advisers , Chairmen of boards and heads of parastatals to enhance service  delivery. ” It is imperative that seasoned professionals from the private and corporate sectors be accorded greater opportunities to serve as technical advisors , chairmen of boards and heads of parastatals. 

” Their expertise will substantially enhance governance and service delivery”, he said.

Afolabi expressed gratitude to the body for his investiture  as its 7th Chairman , adding that the theme of the investiture lecture ” Professional leadership and national development: strengthening institutions for a sustainable Nigeria ” was selected to  add value to the drive for sustainable development in the country.

First deputy president of the APBN,  Professor Muhammed Akaro Mainoma , who was chairman of the  investiture ceremony,  in his address congratulated the new leadership , urging it  to uphold  transparency and accountability. 

Professor Mainoma who was represented by  a former Chairman of the body in the state, Barrister J.O. Aikpokpo Martins , assured that as professionals they would continue to play their roles in nation building. 

Past  chairmen of the body were inducted into the hall of emeritus chairmen of the APBN.