The Nigeria Police Force Course 15 (popularly known as POLAC) which produced the likes of the current IGP Usman Alkali Baba, the DIG Johnson Kokumo, and other notable police officers passed out of service yesterday. GATMASH can report that the pullout ceremony for the POLAC set which began its journey in 1988 held at the Police College, Ikeja, Lagos.
The pullout ceremony celebrated the Deputy Inspector General of Police, DIG Johnson Kokumo; 11 Assistant Inspectors General of Police and two Commissioners of Police. Officers pulled out included DIG Johnson Kokumo, AIGs Issac Akinmoyede; Olatunji Akingbola; Andrew Amiengheme; Amechi Elumelu; Ngozi V. Onadeko; Eboka Friday. Others are AIGs Adesina M. Soyemi; Asafa Adekunle; Edward Egbuka; Olawale T. Olokode; Abutu Yaro and Commissioners of Police Adetokumbo C. Owolabi and Salem V. Amachree.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba while eulogizing the retired senior police officers for their invaluable assistance to the Nigeria Police Force, he noted that their wealth of experience and exemplary leadership qualities are necessary for combating the nation’s security challenges.
Represented by the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja, DIG Bode Adeleke, the IGP explained that the Cadet Course 1 (POLAC) apart from producing the 21st indigenous IGP, has also produced DIGs, AIGs and several CPs with great virtues.
Describing the pulling out event as “historical and emotional but fulfilled event”, IGP Usman Alkali Baba added that “the pull out was significant because it is coming at a time the experience of the officers is needed for the growth and development of the nation and humanity at large. I am glad to be alive to witness the colourful pulling out parade. They are wonderful crop of officers who have meritoriously served the nation for 35 years.”
In his valedictory speech on behalf of 13 others, DIG Johnson Kokumo expressed satisfaction while, at the same time, thanked the Almighty God for his grace to have served the nation for 35 years. Kokumo who likened Police job to that of a nomadic pastoring explained that due to the nature of the job which is “essentially nomadic in nature” they only know the time they left home for work but have no idea when to return, stressing that their families have lived with this patterned life and got accustomed to it throughout their service years.
While congratulating his colleagues for standing firm and weathered the storm, observed that some of their colleagues have since retired while some died while in service. “After finishing tertiary institution, many didn’t have the premonition of joining the force. The journey has not been easy,” DIG Kukomo reiterated.
In a separate interview with GATMASH NEWS after the event, DIG Johnson Kokumo said: “I feel great. I am very happy. I pulled out of service without blemish, I retired out of service meritoriously to unite with my family permanently. I am glad. I desire a rest from a long period of service to my fatherland. I will reunite with my family. I have moved all this while, most of them unplanned from one place to another, what I will regard as nomadic life. So I deserve rest even if temporarily.”
He advised younger officers, “Life has taught me humility, perseverance, uprightness at all times. We don’t cut corners because when you cut corners, it makes your stay on this planet short. To be straightforward, diligent, professional, and dedicated. Patriotism should be your watchword as a police officer or member of any security agency.”
Sequel to the pullout ceremony, a colourful parade was organised in honour of the distinguished senior retiring officers as DIG Kokumo was the Reviewing Officer. The event had in attendance members of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), who in his goodwill message applauded the officers for their impeccable service to the country.
GATMASH NEWS gathered that the retired officers were admitted into the Academy on the 15th March, 1988 as Course 15 NPF Academy, and trained at Police College, Kano. They were 190 on admission but only 175 passed out as Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). The Course produced impeccable officers who contributed greatly to the NPF and the nation at large.
Other dignitaries at the occasion, are the former Inspector-General of Police, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, AIG Tunji Alapini (rtd.), AIG Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu (rtd.), AIG In charge of Zone 2, AIG Abiodun Alabi, CP Lagos Command, CP Idowu Owohunwa, former Commissioner of Police, Lagos Command, CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd.), CP Kehinde Longe, CP Yetunde Longe, Alake of Egba land, HRM Oba Michael Adedotun Gbadebo being represented by the Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government, Lagos State, High Chief Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, former CP Ogun State, CP Edward Awolowo Ajogun (rtd.), Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN, Mr. Olusegun Ajamolaya and others.
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