By ‘Dotun Akintomide
Beyond the widely celebrated appointment of Dr. Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun (NPM) as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police, not many people know the unsung heroes whose roles behind the scene from time-to-time helped in shaping his destiny into becoming Nigeria’s police czar and global icon.
A speech laden with emotion as delivered by IGP Egbetokun at a recent grand reception/homecoming ceremony gave an inkling into how kinsmen in his Erinja-orile hometown had over the years taken much interest in his career trajectory. Perhaps they were able to see the crystal ball during his early years.
The story of IGP Egbetokun’s life journey from the cradle is akin to the truth in the African proverb: “it takes a village to raise a child.” This time, the village couldn’t have been any other asides Erinja-orile – the birthplace of the IGP – where the unbreakable community cord and sense of brotherhood tower above any personal cleavages, something I learnt first-hand from my own grandmother, late Chief (Mrs.) Grace Agbeke Ilo in her many folklores.
Delivering his homecoming speech in his usual calm but stern voice, Egbetokun, who is the first Inspector-General of Police of Ogun State origin started off saying: “I stand here today with a heart full of gratitude to God. My story is a testimony of God’s abundance, grace and of his faithfulness. That story will not be told today but something is very clear that the story started here in this community.”
IGP Egbetokun would later go on to mention and laud several of his kinsmen who had played huge part in his journey to stardom as he acknowledged cheers from top dignitaries, including Yewa traditional rulers and a sea of heads – many of them, proud sons and daughters of the community from home and abroad, who had converged on their most cherished homestead to celebrate their very own and helmsman at the Nigeria Police Force.
The homecoming ceremony organised by Ilobi-Erinja Coalition for Development honoured two illustrious sons: IGP Egbetokun alongside the Ogun State Head of Service (HoS), Mr Kolawole Peter Fagbohun. The current Ogun HoS hails from Ilobi, a sister community to Erinja both in Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, Southwest Nigeria.
Eulogising his late parents, Egbetokun expressed a depth of gratitude to Pa. Nathaniel Taiwo Egbetokun and Chief (Mrs.) Christianah Egbetokun “for the privilege of an excellent upbringing; for the discipline they instilled in us while we were children and for the good example they laid down for us. I took to heart their slogan that a good name is better than silver and gold and I grew up with that. May their souls rest in peace.”
Nigeria’s police boss, Egbetokun, who is also an Erinja Prince lauded the Elerinja of Erinja, His Royal Highness, Oba Ebenezer Alani Egunjobi, FCA, (Ilufemiloye Akinogun II) for his immense contribution to his outstanding education. “Permit me your excellences here present today to specially recognize a special person who is in our midst today, that is the man who was personally responsible for my upbringing throughout my school days.”
He added: “He was responsible for my education from secondary School up to the university level, His Royal Highness, Elerinja of Erinja, Oba Ebenezer Alani Egunjobi (FCA). Thank you very much sir.”
He continued: “Apart from my parents, there are many other people who contributed significantly to the personality that we are celebrating here today. I posthumously recognize my late uncle, Mr J.K Amore. May God bless his beautiful soul. When my mother left us in 2007, other mothers rose up and adopted me.
“Some of them are here today. I recognize my aunty, Mrs. Ajoke Akinleye, I recognize my aunty, Mrs Olakunleyi Majiya. I cannot forget the significant contribution of my mother, Chief (Mrs.) M.F Balogun, who took a flight from the UK down here in Nigeria just to attend this gathering today, mummy, I thank you very much. I remember every detail.
“I remember it was you that intervened when my admission letter from University of Lagos arrived late after matriculation. It was a letter you gave me to give Prof. (Afolabi) Olabimtan that saved me from losing my admission. I also remember that it was through your contact that I got enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). I thank you very much.”
It appears Erinja and the Nigeria Police Force have a lot in common on the global map as Egbetokun, himself, had followed in the footsteps of his cousin and ‘Egbon’, retired Commissioner of Police, Chief Olusola Amore (the Asiwaju of Erinja land), who according to him, fired up his interest in joining the Nigeria Police Force on the 3rd of March, 1990. Amore was in 2010 appointed as the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) at Force Headquarters, Abuja, and later served as a Commissioner of Police in Niger and Kwara states before his retirement from the Police Service in June 2017.
Paying tribute to retired CP Amore, IGP Egbetokun in his words remarked: “My story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning a few other names. I would like to specially recognize my brother, my cousin, retired CP Olusola Amore.
“He was the one that came to Erinja when I was just 12 years old. He had a mission to take me to Lagos to start my secondary School education. And since then I followed him everywhere he went. I attended all the schools he attended, when he joined the police I also joined the police.”
Moments after, he lauded his senior cousin; it was a good sight to behold as retired CP Amore walked up to the podium to shake hands with the IGP, saying: “I took you along my path and I’m happy you rose and towered above me” to the cheers and applause of everyone in the crowd.
“I also want to appreciate my brother, Pastor (Prof.) Rotimi Egbetokun. He has always been there since our days in primary school, I thank you. Also, my sister, my younger sister, Mrs. Morenike Kasali, thank you for that sacrifice you made to save my life,” IGP Egbetokun added.
While dedicating his appointment to his birthplace, Yewa and Ogun State, the police boss said: “I, however want to appeal to our people that we should also identify those who are doing very well in other endeavors apart from public service. We have so many of them from this community who have distinguished themselves in the private sector. I think they should also be identified and celebrated at the appropriate time.
“I charge all the youths of this community to be law abiding and focus on their studies, those who are still in school. They should be well-behaved, they should shun all forms of violence and also social vices that are threats to the peace and security of our community.
“My appointment as the Inspector General of Police that by God’s grace I’m holding today is not just for me, it is for our communities, it is for Yewa land and it is for Ogun state.
“I thank everyone who has come from far and near to attend this event and also our traditional rulers, I also thank the Governor of Ogun state (Prince Dapo Abiodun). The governor particularly supported the decision of my appointment. I thank him specially. I thank the organizers of this event. Thank you.”
Egbetokun, a former lecturer at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, before joining the Police Force, is a distinguished alumnus of University of Lagos, where he bagged Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mathematics (1987) and Engineering Analysis (1996) respectively.
The Nigeria’s police chief also holds a postgraduate diploma in Petroleum Economics from Delta State University (2000) and an MBA from Lagos State University, Ojo (2004).
Following his assumption of office, IGP Egbetokun, who also holds a PhD in Peace and Security Studies from Al-hikmah University, Ilorin, Kwara State, has since embarked on sundry initiatives, legacy policies and programmes, including strong commitment to community policing in a bid to further strengthen the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force; retool it to confront burning national security challenges as well as boost the morale of police personnel across the country.
ENDS
