The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the organisation of the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendation Night on Friday, April 5, 2024, at the Congress Hall of the Transcorp Hilton Abuja.
Addressing the media on Friday at the Force Headquarters Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said that the event will attract dignitaries in the security circle and senior security managers of the Force, especially the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
He listed the categories of the awards to include Crime Buster of the Year, Investigator of the Year, Cybercrime Buster of the Year, Community Policing Advocate of the Year, and Police Public Relations Officer of the Year.
“Other award categories include Police Medical Personnel of the Year, Traffic Warden of the Year, Police Sports Person of the Year, and the Award for the Best Police Command in the country.
“Awards will also be presented for gallantry and integrity, while the most outstanding police officer of the year will be recognised and honoured. An officer who died in the line of duty will be honoured with a posthumous award, Adejobi added.
The statement read, “The Nigeria Police Awards and Commendation Night marks an opportunity for us to shine a spotlight on those individuals who have distinguished themselves through their outstanding contributions to public safety, crime prevention, and community engagement.
“These officers exemplify the core values of integrity, courage, and selflessness, and their dedication to serving and protecting our communities deserves our utmost admiration and gratitude. This renewed commendation system represents a significant advancement from the past. It now covers all officers involved in every major case, moving away from solely focusing on arresting officers or commanders.
“The award process for the Nigeria Police Awards and Commendation is unique. Nominations were invited from all police formations, including force headquarters, zonal headquarters, state commands, area commands, divisional headquarters, and all police sections and departments.
“Thereafter, a collation committee was formed, comprising some senior officers of the Force and representatives of Lenders Consult International who have over 10 years of experience in organising transparent and credible awards in the country. This meticulous process assisted in insulating the award decisions from undue interference and bias, which often characterise competitive awards such as this.
“Through this transparent and equitable system, every police officer involved in significant accomplishments will be identified and duly rewarded. Whether through commendations, special assignments, or other tangible incentives, the contributions of our officers will be acknowledged and celebrated. This proactive approach fosters an environment where merit is recognized and excellence is cultivated.
“It is firmly believed that the implementation of this system will not only elevate the morale of our officers but also nurture their professional growth. By providing tangible recognition for their efforts, we create a sense of pride and purpose within the force, motivating officers to continually strive for improvement. In doing so, we pave the way for a more efficient and effective police force—one that serves our nation with unparalleled dedication and pride.
Recall that IGP Kayode Egbetokun, during his inaugural conference with Strategic Police Managers on Friday, June 23, 2023, upon his appointment as the 22nd indigenous Inspector General of Police, emphasised the critical importance of recognising the invaluable contributions made by the officers of the Nigeria Police Force, even amidst daunting challenges.
He articulated a visionary approach, announcing the implementation of a new recognition and reward system designed to better motivate and encourage our dedicated personnel.
