By Oki Samson
The Nigeria Police Zone II Command (comprising Lagos and Ogun) today decorated a large number of its promotees with new ranks.
This followed the approval of the promotion of the officers and men to new ranks by the Police Service Commission.
With excitement alongside their family and friends, the newly promoted officers bustled in high spirits during the decoration ceremony which held in Onikan, Lagos.
In his brief words of congratulations to the promotees, the AIG in charge of Zone II, AIG Bode Adeyinka Adeleke remarked: ‘We cannot deny the fact that the police have given us much even though you might think it is small, we have to give back in our own little way.
When you are giving back, ensure you give back positively. I want to thank you. May God bless you all.’
Encouraging the promotees to gain public trust, the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, AIG Hakeem Odumosu commented: ‘A lot has been said, I just want to add that we cannot clap with one hand. That means we can’t do the job without the civil populace.
The way you want your family, friends, relations who are not on this job to be treated is the way you should treat the civilians.
Treat civilians with dignity, respect, and honour.
What you need most on this job is trust of the civilians. We have to maintain the trust.
We came into this job as civilians, we are wearing uniforms now, and we pray that we will leave with joy back to the civilian life. The way you want to be treated when you become a civilian is the way you should treat others.’
DIG Peter Ogunyanwo (rtd) gave a strong charge to the newly promoted, ‘Police job is a very delicate job but it is a noble job.
If you can survive police job, there is no business you cannot manage.
Please let us put God first and remember the law in this political era. If you allow yourself to be used by any politician, that is your own career.
Stand for truth and stand by law, the law will see you through.’
‘But we need to review the Force and monitor our men. A lot of things are happening behind us that we don’t know and is making the public to feel we are the people sponsoring some of those infractions not knowing that the senior officers are not aware.
We know some of us are part, too because we are part of the society but need to change. We need to do our job with the fear of God.
We need to allow the rule of law to guide whatever we are going to do and that is why when I call to intervene in some things, I must have asked the person to give me the details.
And if it is something I should not be seen to be associated with, I will just tell him to go and pay even if it is N1 million or they charge you to court’, Trek Africa Newspaper gathered.
The retired DIG continued: ‘If we have a rotten society, we are going to have a rotten Police but we can refine ourselves. We need to know we are to work for all Nigerians.
Justice for those who want justice, remembering that whatever you do in this your career for 35 years is what God will reward for you as achievements for or against.
And if you fail 35 years in your age, there is no how you will pass.’
‘I want to congratulate you. I want to thank God for you for being alive and that your own is not posthumous.
I pray that death in service will not be the portion of anyone of us in Jesus name. It is a good thing to retire.
I use to tell people that an inspector or SP who has retired is still better than an IGP who is still on seat trying to retire. I pray that nobody will die in office.’
In his vote of thanks, DCP Gbolahan Olugbenga hailed: ‘On behalf of all promotees, I want to return all glory to the Almighty God for making today a reality.
I want to thank the Inspector-General of Police and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission who has counted us worthy to be promoted to this enviable rank.’
‘We rededicate ourselves to the service of Nigeria and to the service of mankind.
There is no doubt that much has been given and much is expected for us. New rank, new responsibility!
On behalf of my colleagues, we promise that we won’t disappoint you.
We will work harder to see that there is peace and tranquility in Nigeria.’
Other dignitaries present and supported the Assistant Inspector General of Police In-Charge of Zone 2 to decorate the newly promotees are newly promoted CP Yetunde Longe, DCP Ahmed Kontagora, Board Member of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayo Ogunsan, family and friends of the promotees, and other well wishers.
