Valedictory Remarks by former IGP Solomon E. Arase, at the formal
handing ceremony held at the Force Headquarters, today June 22nd. It
reads,
1. 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.