The Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, has said that said that the decoration of the newly promoted senior police officers with their new ranks was guided by the principles of seniority and merit was under the current Force leadership.
The IGP, represented by DIG Sanusi Nma Lemu, stated this during the decoration which took place at the force headquarters in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, on Thursday, October 20, 2022.
Among those decorated were the erstwhile Commissioners of Police in Osun and Abia States, Wale Olokode and Janet Agbede respectively, who have become Assistant Inspectors General of Police.
Welcoming all to the ceremony, the IGP remarked that it also took due cognisance of the unblemished service records and invaluable experiences of the benefiting officers.
He also pointed out that the continuous identification and promotion of deserving and qualified personnel of the Force remain one of the cardinal agendas of his leadership.
He said: “This is because of my firm conviction that promotion serves two key purposes in the Nigeria Police as in other organizations.
“First, it is a reward for service excellence and a motivational initiative. Second, it is a critical administrative instrument for elevating and repositioning competent personnel towards the attainment of our critical internal security mandate.
“In line with this, all of you, the newly promoted officers, will be immediately deployed to critical duty posts where your strength of character and professionalism shall be optimally tested.
“I trust that you shall not fail the Nigeria Police Force, neither will you fail the nation in the demanding responsibilities that your new ranks shall impose on you.”
The IGP assured all that the exercise would continue towards ensuring that deserving officers are elevated as and when due.
He expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari and the Chairman, Nigeria Police Council, for the continuous support for the Nigeria Police.
“We are also appreciative of the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs and the Police Service Commission for supporting our reform agenda and aiding in the attainment of our human capacity development initiatives.
“I look forward to the sustenance of this collaboration,” he said further.
IGP Alkali congratulated and shared the joy of the moment with all the newly promoted officers, their families, and friends, and wished them perfection in their careers.
He also prayed to God to grant them the courage to sustain and continually exhibit the professional virtues that led them thus far in their careers.
Under the current exercise, a total of 465 officers were promoted to various ranks.
