Valedictory Remarks by former IGP Solomon E. Arase, at the
formal handing ceremony held at the Force Headquarters, today June 22nd. It
reads,
It is with a
feeling of deep appreciation of the Almighty God that I address you on this
occasion marking my formal exit from the Nigeria Police Force and transition of
leadership to a new Inspector General of Police.
2. Ladies and Gentlemen, exactly fourteen months ago,
destiny reposed on me the fortune of being appointed the 18th indigenous
Inspector General of Police. Today, natural sequence of history has not only
occasioned the successful completion of my tenure, but has also beckoned on Ag.
IGP Ibrahim Idris to step into the leadership space as the 19th Indigenous
Inspector General of Police.
3. You would recall that during my inaugural address, I
noted that -
The task of blending our acclaimed quality human assets with
quality leadership is the main challenge ahead of us, but it is one I am
convinced we can surmount’.
I also affirmed that – ‘on my part, I can assure you that I
will provide the highest possible level of professional and responsible
leadership, while trusting that you shall march hand-in-hand with me as
dependable professional colleagues, to advance the fortunes of the Force’.
4. One year, two months away from this assertion and clarion
call, I can proudly note two significant developments. First is that I feel
professionally satisfied that I enjoyed very high level of diligence, loyalty,
sacrifice and professionalism from all cadres of the Force. This manifested in
the great strides we collectively attained in our common march towards
restoring the lost primacy of the Nigeria Police and bequeathing a Police Force
of citizens’ expectations to Nigerians.
5. Secondly, I am fulfilled that a widely experienced,
knowledgeable and passionate officer of the calibre of Ag. IGP Ibrahim Idris
has been appointed by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of
the Federation to march the Force forward. I am convinced of the capacity of
Ag. IGP Idris to provide the requisite leadership for the Force at this crucial
time in the history of not just the Nigeria Police Force, but of our nation. In
this regard, I can assure him of my support, even in retirement, as well as my
constant prayers.
6. Let me at this juncture, encourage the Nigeria Police
Family to extend the trademark loyalty, diligence, and professionalism which I
enjoyed from them, to the new Force leadership. This, ladies and gentlemen, is
the only path to follow in our journey towards enhancing the fortunes of our
beloved Police Force as well as sustaining our relevance within the national
security architecture of our country. Above all, this is the only path that
will guide us towards achieving the Policing Vision of Mr. President within the
Change Mantra conceptualized by the Federal Government.
7. In driving this valedictory speech to a close, permit me
to deeply appreciate the support of all personnel of the Nigeria Police. The
journey might have been tortuous, but looking back, we should all be proud that
today, through an inclusive leadership strategy which I adopted, the Nigeria
Police has acquired very strong intelligence, investigative and operational
capability which can and have of late been deployed to crack any crime at any
location within our national geographical space. The dignity of an average
Nigeria Police officer has been restored. Public confidence in our competency
has been enlivened.
8. Ladies and Gentlemen, it is not that crimes will not
occur. No nation is immune from criminal activities. Today, however, like other
Police Forces across the world, we in the Nigeria Police can beat our chests
and make a clear and bold statement to criminal elements threatening our
national value that if you commit any crime, we now have the capacity not only
to arrest you, but to bring you to deserved justice in the most prompt,
professional, and rule of law-compliant manner. This is the profile of the
Nigeria Police Force you, my colleagues and all Nigerians have aided me to bequeath
to our beloved nation. This is a legacy I can assure the nation that Ag. IGP
Idris will not only sustain, but will advance.
9. I, therefore, wish to heartily congratulate Ag. IGP
Ibrahim Idris for his well deserved appointment and to pray for God’s wisdom as
he settles into his schedules. I also wish to immensely appreciate Mr.
president for the trust reposed in me and the firm support extended to me, even
at most difficult times in my leadership.
10. Indeed, the unique Presidential support acted as the
motivation that drove me through my tenure as Inspector-General of Police. I
can assure Mr. President, that I shall remain eternally grateful and will
sustain my commitment to his vision and values even in retirement.
11. To members of the Press, my friends, and indeed all
Nigerians, as I bow out, I must put on record my deep appreciation of your
constructive criticisms, pieces of informed advice, encouragement and unalloyed
support for me. I call on you to extend similar favour to my successor even as
I assure you all that the network we have built over the years will remain
valued and sustained as I walk into retirement life.
12. I thank you all and pray for God’s spiritual protection
over Ag. IGP Ibrahim Idris and our beloved country.
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