By Adewole Kehinde
I was overwhelmed after listening to the maiden speech of Ag. IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, at the inaugural conference with Strategic Police Managers held at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre, Abuja, on Friday, June 23, 2023.
Ag. IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun is indeed really prepared for the task ahead, most especially the Steps to Renew Hope, which are: First: Identify that you have lost it; Second: Take Responsibility; Third: Stand Tall and resolve; Fourth: Quickly and Eagerly Turn to God; Fifth: Identify Your Needs; Sixth: Let Go; Seventh: Claim Scripture; and Eighth: Do the unthinkable.
Naming a problem is the starting point for addressing it. This was seen in the speech of the Ag. IGP when he said, “We must acknowledge the imperfections that exist within our ranks. Let us cast aside complacency and confront the demons that tarnish our profession. We must weed out corruption, for it erodes the very essence of justice we have sworn to uphold. We must reject the abuse of power, for it stains the reputation of the uniform we wear with honor. We must cultivate a culture of accountability, for our actions must be a testament to the principles we stand for. To my fellow police managers, I implore you to lead by example. Let us be the epitome of integrity, resilience, and compassion. Our actions must inspire those who serve under us and those who look up to us for guidance. We must be the guiding light that illuminates the path of righteousness, ensuring that justice is not a distant dream but a reality for all.
“Let me make one thing abundantly clear: the days of complacency and indifference are over. We are no longer mere enforcers of the law; we are the vanguards of justice. It is our duty to ensure that every citizen, regardless of his/her background, feels safe and secure at all times.”
He is taking responsibility by saying, “One of the foremost thrusts of my administration is upholding the sanctity of our legal framework with a view to standardizing the policing profession viz-a-viz driving a transformative agenda, embracing the principles of transparency, accountability, and professionalism, while upholding the rights and welfare of both our officers and the communities we serve.
“The Nigeria Police Force under my command, in its quest to stamp out violent crimes and their detrimental and debilitating effects on the security and safety of our society, will forge ahead to tackle the menace of crimes and criminality head-on with the establishment of a specialized Quick Intervention Squad, which will comprise combat-ready Police Mobile Force personnel with effective and enhanced training in crisis de-escalation and violent crime reduction strategies. This will lead to a review of the engagement patterns of the Police Mobile Force in a bid to restore the days of glory of the Police Mobile Force as a punching arm of the Police.”
Ag. IGP Egbetokun is standing tall and resolved by saying, “Furthermore, we shall embrace innovation and technology as powerful allies in our fight against crime. The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and so we must adapt to the evolving landscape of crime. Criminals today are more sophisticated, more organized, and more ruthless than ever before. We will further leverage cutting-edge tools, data analytics, and intelligence networks to stay one step ahead of those who seek to disrupt the peace. This we will do through a robust and effective human and technical intelligence-gathering process to enhance our capacity. By harnessing the power of technology, we can make our streets safer, our investigations more efficient, and our communities more resilient. We cannot afford to be reactive; we must be proactive in our approaches by equally collaborating with other security agencies (both domestic and international) to strengthen our intelligence network and dismantle criminal enterprises from their core.”
He has taken the right step by quickly and eagerly turning to God for the success of the task ahead of him when he said, “I have steadfast faith in our collective strength and commitment to the cause. Together, we will shape a future where justice triumphs, where the vulnerable find solace, where citizens go about their lawful businesses without fear of insecurity or molestation, and where every citizen can truly believe in the power of law enforcement.”
The Ag. IGP identified the needs of the Nigeria Police when he emphasized, “Similarly, my administration shall prioritize enhancing the Nigeria Police training curriculum with special focus on attitudinal and behavioural changes for new recruits as well as reorientation programmes for serving officers in order to further refine the perception of our officers to concepts of human rights, rule of law, and citizen-focused policing. The new training curriculum will be produced with inbuilt tests designed to weed out individuals with a negative mentality and a high tendency for violence from amongst recruits.”
He is set to go on implementation of his vision for a renewed Nigerian police when he said, “We will make a case for improved welfare for these men and ensure they have the resources, training, and support necessary to carry out their duties with utmost professionalism within the ambit of the law. Their physical and mental well-being must be our priority, for they are the true custodians of peace. To this end, my administration will intensify collaboration with relevant stakeholders for the resuscitation of the Police Officer Support Unit (POSU) of the Police Medical Services, which will serve as a confidential support and counseling facility for all police officers. Its services will be online, telephone-based, and in-person to assist officers to better cope with all forms of trauma and other challenges faced on a daily basis.”
He claimed the scripture in Galatians 6:9. “Let’s not get tired of doing good because in time we’ll have a harvest if we don’t give up.” Ag. IGP Egbetokun reiterated that when he said, “In recognition of the invaluable contributions made by the officers of the Nigeria Police Force in the face of daunting challenges, we are implementing a new Recognition and Reward system that aims to better motivate and encourage our dedicated personnel. It is imperative that we acknowledge and appreciate the tireless efforts, sacrifices, and exceptional performance demonstrated by these officers on a daily basis. This system will not only serve as a means of recognizing outstanding achievements but also as a powerful tool to foster a culture of excellence and inspire others to strive for greatness. Through a transparent and fair process, all police officers involved in every major achievement will be identified and duly rewarded, be it through commendations, special assignments, or other tangible incentives. It is believed that by implementing this system, we will not only uplift the morale of our officers but also create an environment that nurtures their professional growth, ultimately leading to a more efficient and effective Police Force that serves our nation with utmost dedication and pride.”
And the last step in renewing hope, “Do the Unthinkable” can be seen when he said, “But let us not forget that at the heart of our work are the people we serve. We must be the compassionate face of law enforcement, ever mindful of the impact our actions have on individuals and communities. Let us build bridges of trust with the people, understanding that our success hinges on their support and cooperation. Community policing, through a more vibrant engagement of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), the establishment of a Citizens Engagement Focus Group, and a general review of the Federal Government Community Policing Scheme, must become the cornerstone of our strategy, forging partnerships with citizens, civil society organizations, and local leaders to collectively tackle the challenges we face.
“Furthermore, let us engage with the communities we serve. We must bridge the gap between the police and the public, fostering trust, understanding, and mutual respect. We cannot police a society without being a part of it. We must be accessible, empathetic, and responsive to the concerns of the people. By building strong partnerships, we can create a safer, more harmonious environment for all.
“Today, I stand before you with a fervent belief that we can rise above the challenges that confront us. Let our actions speak louder than words. Let our commitment to justice be unwavering. Let us lead with honour, humility, and a relentless pursuit of truth. Together, we can transform our police force into a beacon of hope, a symbol of justice, and a force to be reckoned with.
“My esteemed strategic police managers, let us embark on this journey together, with a shared vision of having a Police Force that is professionally competent, service-driven, rule of law compliant, and people-friendly, a police force that will effectively support the agenda of the government for economic recovery and growth, as well as social and political development of our dear country, Nigeria. Henceforth, our policing activities shall symbolize excellence, integrity, and compassion.
There is no doubt that Ag. IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun is truly the epitome of integrity, resilience, and compassion that the Nigeria Police have been waiting for.
I call on all police personnel and stakeholders in the security sector to rally around him to make the Nigeria Police the beacon of hope in times of despair and to foster an environment where safety and justice are not mere illusions but the foundations upon which our nation thrives.
Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846, kennyadewole@gmail.com
