By Adewole Kehinde
“When you believe in your dream and your vision, then it begins to attract its own resources. No one was born to be a failure.” Myles Munroe
A vision statement describes what an organisation desires to achieve in the long run, generally in a time frame of five to ten years, or sometimes even longer.
It depicts a vision of what the organisation will look like in the future and sets a defined direction for the planning and execution of corporate-level strategies.
While organisations should not be too ambitious in defining their long-term goals, it is critical to set a bigger and further target in a vision statement that communicates an organization’s aspirations and motivates the audience.
When President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, June 19, 2023, appointed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Kayode Egbetokun, as the acting Inspector-General of Police, the whole Force Headquarters went agog with the police band singing and dancing from the first floor to the seventh floor because a man with the right vision had been appointed.
Having gone through the Nigeria Police vision reproduced here, “The Nigeria Police vision for its personnel is to create a professional and disciplined force that is committed to upholding the rule of law, protecting the rights of citizens, and ensuring peace and security in the country. This vision includes promoting integrity, accountability, and respect for human rights among its personnel, as well as fostering a spirit of service to the community. The aim is to build a police force that is trusted and respected by the people it serves.” IGP Kayode Egbetokun seems to move with reality by bringing up a better vision for the police.
No wonder on Saturday, February 3, 2024, the Force PRO, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, shared the vision of the IGP with Nigerians.
The vision of IGP Kayode Egbetokun reproduced below is very timely, as the Federal Government is earnestly working towards economic recovery and growth as well as socio-economic integration and political development in Nigeria.
“To have a professionally competent, service-driven, rule of law-compliant, and people-friendly police force that will support the agenda of the government for economic recovery and growth as well as the socio-integration and political development of Nigeria; a police force that is well-positioned to respond appropriately and adequately to the dynamics of crimes and criminality in our contemporary society.”.
I do not doubt that IGP Kayode Egbetokun has put in place many elements of an effective vision statement purpose that clearly defines a statement that articulates the police’s reason for existence and the impact it seeks to make.
Long-term and short-term targets that the organisation aims to achieve, often aligning with its mission and strategic direction combined with core beliefs and principles that guide the organisation’s culture, behaviours, and decision-making.
He must have also considered the needs and interests of all stakeholders, including personnel of the force, partners, and the community.
In arriving at the vision, I noticed that IGP Egbetokun has been consistent with the police’s mission, ensuring that the vision reflects the police’s fundamental purpose and direction.
These elements collectively have helped the IGP create a compelling and inspiring vision that is aimed at motivating and guiding the Nigeria Police towards its desired future.
Nigeria, as a country, deserves a professionally competent and people-friendly police service driven by the rule of law.
I know that IGP Egbetokun desires to have a well-positioned and respected police force that will respond to the dynamics of crime in the country, and with the vision above, it will materialise.
One of the ways to achieve the vision is to intensify training and recruitment to meet the challenges on the ground.
Also, the welfare of police personnel should be improved, apart from salary increments, particularly the pension scheme.
I remember the IGP saying at the Senior Police Officers Summit in Owerri 2023 that his plan for the Police Pension Scheme is to ensure that when they retire, they still get their salary.
On equipment, Egbetokun assured that all logistics needed by the police to do their job effectively would be provided.
I must commend IGP Egbetokun for this timely vision, and I call on the Federal Government to back the IGP’s vision for the police with adequate funding.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846. E-mail: kennyadewole@gmail.com
