The recently appointed 22nd indigenous Inspector General of the Nigeria Police
IGP Kayode Egbetokun has severally said that, promotion under his watch will be based mainly on merit and seniority.
This statement was made by the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa at a combined Ceremony held at the State Command to decorate the newly promoted officers and Award of Medals Ceremony to Commend eight deserving Police Sportsmen who recently excelled in a Taekwondo Tournament in Bayelsa State, bringing home two silver and six bronze medals.
Speaking at the two in one event, CP Owohunwa said “today represents another high point in his leadership in Lagos State”.
Adding that nothing “motivates a serving Police Officer like extending his due to him in terms of promotion as at when due”.
CP Owohunwa said that in this singular exercise, a thousand four hundred (1400) Inspectors will be adopted to the prestigious ‘Assistant Superintendent of Police’ (ASP) Cadre, where they cease to be gazetted officers but move up the ladder to become Officers of the Nigeria Police.
Stating that it was a rare privileged to induct these officers to the envious ‘ASP’ level and decorating them is a great honour bestowed on him He went further to say that, to be able to Superintend over the promotion of staff that have excelled in their various areas of the profession is his greatest honour.
Stressing that this batch of Officers were the first to benefit from the new policy introduced by the IG and should pride themselves in the fact that they earned their promotion solely on merit
The Police Commissioner, CP Owohunwa went on to admonished the new officers to uphold the values that brought them this far, emphasizing that the Inspector General of Police is one that stands on a very high Professional pedestal and in turn expects his followers to manifest excellence in conduct.
The Police Boss warned that at this level, the newly promoted officers are expected to be able to comport and conduct themselves in a professional manner, explaining further that the level attained is one in which they should be able to dissect complex internal security issues and allign them with the law of the Nation and people they serve.
Speaking on the feat performed at the Taekwondo Tournament in Bayelsa State, CP Owohunwa said he expected nothing less from Officers from the Centre of Excellence-Lagos State.
Giving them a pat on the back for their outstanding performance, he said said management was working around the modalities of introducing Takwando to the general Police as a means of self defence for the officers.
In attendance at the ceremony were DCP Wahid Ayilara, DCP Fatai Tijani,ACP Olajide Agboola among others Senior Police Officers,relatives of Awardees and the Press.
The event was anchored by The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO Benjamin Hundeyin.
Speaking to one of the Awardees ASP Olufemi Adewoye, on how he was able to excel admidst stiff competition, he said he was only being himself, working hard and Obeying the Law with God on his side.