By Adewole Kehinde
“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential… these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”
– Confucius.
Since his assumption of office as the 22nd Indigenous Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun has prioritised professionalism.
His introduction of professionalism to the Nigeria police has brought about excellent conduct, attitude, and behaviour of police officers upholding ethical standards, adhering to laws and regulations, and serving the community with integrity and respect.
This includes demonstrating competence in carrying out their duties, being accountable for their actions, maintaining impartiality and fairness, and treating all individuals with dignity and courtesy.
On Monday, 13th January 2025, the IGP further cemented the professionalism of the Nigeria police personnel with continuous training, learning, and improvement to enhance their skills and knowledge in law enforcement practices.
Enugu State Police Command seems to preempt the mind of the Inspector General of Police when on Tuesday, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu, officially launched an intensive training program for the Command’s personnel.
The training aims to enhance officers’ operational capacity, equipping them to effectively use the Command-and-Control Centre, modern security equipment, and vehicles provided by the Governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, in the fight against crime in the state.
CP Uzuegbu urged them to remain focused and make the most of the training, which will cover critical areas such as arms handling, combat, and tactical manoeuvres; the use of modern security equipment; effective communication; and professional policing skills.
He emphasised the importance of the training in equipping them to confront modern policing challenges effectively.
The same Tuesday, the SERVICOM honoured the Nigeria Police as the Most Improved Service Delivery Parastatal of the Year 2024.
SERVICOM is an acronym for Service Compact with All Nigerians. It was established in 2004 as the outcome of a three-day special presidential retreat on service delivery with the president, ministers, special advisers, presidential aides, and chief executives of major extra-ministerial departments and parastatals.
It is an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria conceived to promote effective and efficient service delivery in MDAs to ensure customer satisfaction and to manage the performance-expectation gap between the government and citizens as well as other members of the public on issues of service delivery.
SERVICOM equally gives the public the right to demand good services as contained in MDAs’ Service Charter. One of its goals is to ensure that service takers understand their rights to public services, the service standards they should expect, and how to demand that service or speak up where it is deficient or lacking.
SEVICOM is a solemn compact as well as an institutional mechanism conceptualised to fight against service failure by ensuring that organs of government in Nigeria deliver to citizens and other residents in the country the services to which they are entitled to.
SERVICOM operates through a network of Ministerial SERVICOM Units (MSUs) established in all MDAs to refocus every institution in the public service towards better service delivery and supports these MSUs to write up service charters, establish complaint systems at service front lines, and develop service improvement plans.
I saw the joy on the face of IGP Olukayode Egbetokun as he received the award and commendation for the Nigeria Police Force as the Most Improved Service Delivery Parastatal (SERVICOM Unit) in Nigeria for the year 2024 from the National Coordinator/CEO of SERVICOM Presidency, Mrs. Nnena Akajemeli.
The National Coordinator/CEO of SERVICOM made it known that the strides the Nigeria Police have taken in recent times to ensure proper service delivery are nothing short of remarkable as regards the service charter and workplan on customer service in the year 2024. She buttressed that the award is given on merit, reaffirming that the Force has improved in service delivery in many areas, such as the creation of a customer service workplan to touch the lives of Nigerians.
This includes the Police Complaint Response Unit. The unit has been resolving complaints against police officers in Nigeria 24/7.
Also, the Police Public Complaint Bureau is another responsive unit of the Nigeria Police, all under the supervision of the Force Public Relations Department, directly managed by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun.
The IGP, in his remarks, appreciated SERVICOM for the recognition of the Nigeria Police Force and made it known that this achievement underscores the testament of the dedication and commitment of officers and men who are working tirelessly to improve service delivery of the Nigeria Police Force.
Egbetokun further reiterated the commitment of the force to improved service delivery and ensuring that the force delivers its duty to the public with the utmost sense of professionalism.
The Nigeria Police has started the year by winning awards, and I believe that the force will be receiving awards every month of the year as SERVICOM has challenged the force to do more.
Working together with the people to make the environment safer and more secure for all Nigerians, the Nigeria Police should remain dedicated to maintaining this positive trend.
After this award, I expect the Nigeria Police to increase its credibility and reputation; increased customer trust will lead to potential growth in building the trust base of the Nigeria Police and loyalty.
The Nigeria Police should be open to partnerships and collaborations, as the award will open up more opportunities for partnerships, collaborations, and new relationships with other organisations.
The Nigeria Police Award 2025 is another award that will make police personnel feel proud and motivated to work more and boost their morale and productivity.
In conclusion, this award will bring numerous benefits and opportunities to the Nigeria police, and it is important to leverage this achievement to further enhance the Force’s success and growth.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters. 08166240846. kennyadewole@gmail.com
