By Adewole Kehinde
“Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.” — Abraham Lincoln
On August 30th, 2023, I wrote an article titled “It Is Time To Confirm Kayode Egbetokun As Substantive IGP,” https://swiftreporters.com/it-is-time-to-confirm-kayode-egbetokun-as-substantive-igp/ and that has finally come to a reality.
On October 31st, 2023, the Nigeria Police Council confirmed Kayode Egbetokun as the substantive Inspector General of Police, at its first meeting under President Bola Tinubu.
Egbetokun’s confirmation sparked just as much enthusiasm and broad public support as his appointment as Acting IGP on June 20, 2023.
Given his outstanding performance as the Acting Inspector General of Police, nobody was surprised when Egbetokun was confirmed as the substantive Inspector General of Police five months following numerous encouraging developments.
In the five months that he served in an acting capacity before his final confirmation, Egbetokun significantly changed the operations and management of the Nigeria Police apparatus.
His fervour, dedication, and enthusiasm for establishing a new Nigeria Police Force were felt both domestically and internationally.
The Force is now on an unstoppable growth and development trajectory thanks to his creative leadership and progressive ideas.
If he was able to do so much in just five months while serving in an acting role, just think of what he could accomplish in his first four years as the Inspector General of Police.
But the confirmation of Egbetokun’s nomination as Inspector General of Police has only increased the responsibility and leadership load on the Police Boss, who was born in Erinja.
The time has come for Egbetokun to perform at a much better level than he did while he was acting.
Respectful security stakeholders who view him as a change agent praised his leadership as the acting Police boss.
Egbetokun would face many obstacles in his new role as a full-fledged IGP, but considering his background, such obstacles ought to serve as springboards for greater achievement.
Now that he has been confirmed, his detractors will be hoping that his performance index declines, just so they can laugh at the brilliant performance he put forth as the acting IGP, which led to him being awarded substantive IGP.
As a result, he cannot afford to sit back and relax because he is carrying the hopes and dreams of his fellow police officers, who are eager for and already enjoying the welcome change he has so far brought to the Force.
Egbetokun can’t afford to fail as he carries the confidence that the Federal government reposed in him to change the past ugly narratives of the Police Force.
As a result, the IGP has a difficult task ahead of him: ensuring that police operations run smoothly and administration is of the highest caliber.
It is undeniable that Egbetokun is aware of the task at hand, and we think he is well-suited to face and overcome the obstacles.
His enthusiasm, dedication, managerial skill, and in-depth understanding of police operations, along with the overwhelming support of industry stakeholders, will, in my opinion, enable him to lead the Force to the higher altitudes that we all aspire to.
As Kayode Egbetokun embarks on the challenging yet exciting task of transforming the Nigeria Police Force into a top-tier government organization, history shines on him.
Now that he received the President’s full mandate, Egbetokun has the chance to leave his mark as one of the greatest and most admired Inspectors General of Police by writing his name in gold and leaving a lasting reminder of his accomplishments.
His leadership of the Nigeria Police Force and President Tinubu’s eventual triumph in court mean that his duty is made much easier instructively.
Egbetokun’s confirmation as substantiative Inspector-General of Police has marked a turning point in Nigeria’s law enforcement landscape.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846 or kennyadewole@gmail.com
