Nigerian Senate has pushed for the change of name from the Nigerians Police Force to simply the Nigerian Police.

This is part of the recommendations in the 29 bills approved by the Senate in the ongoing Constitution amendment process.

Some stakeholders in the security sector have claimed that the if the word force is removed from the Nigerian Police, it will better drive home the reality that the police is really “your friend” especially because friends don’t need force, like the military, in relating with fellow friends.

However, Senate President, Bukola Saraki, while commending his colleagues for job well done, said the senate has laid the foundation for a new and better Nigeria by approving the 29 bills in the ongoing Constitution amendment process.

Saraki who spoke at the closing of electronic voting on the proposed amendments to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria commended his colleagues for passing the recommended amendments.

He said the Senate will be remembered by posterity for having kept its promise to amend the Constitution and by concluding its own process in record time.

Itemising some of the amendments that had been approved by the upper legislative chamber, Saraki said it was worthy of note that the Senate, by its actions, has opened up the road for younger people to contest elective positions.

Part of the amendments which the Senate approved are: granting financial autonomy to State assemblies, Judiciary and Local Governments, abolishing local government care taker committees and reducing the age requirements to contest elections.

Other amendments which the Senate approved include: inclusion of former Presidents of the Senate and House Speakers who were not impeached to the Council of State and changing the name of the Nigerian Police Force to the Nigerian Police.