Change can come in many forms in our lives. It might come forcefully like a tidal wave, or creep along incrementally like a glacier. It might come in the form of devastating tragedy, difficult choices, broken relationships, or even new opportunities.
To you IGP Usman Alkali Baba, it is a new opportunity to write many wrongs, use your wealth of experience to build a formidable and unified Nigerian Police Force where children of nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody. Sir, it’s your time, make use of it, write your name in marble achievers before you exit.
Even though change can be difficult, many times it’s also for the best. Accomplishing anything great in life requires us to make significant changes that push us beyond our comfort zones. Often, the only way to improve our lives is to force ourselves to undergo difficult changes. That might mean breaking up and leaving a stale – but comfortable – relationship, leaving a mediocre – but stable – job, moving away from a nice – but uninspiring – location, or anything else that’s holding us back from accomplishing our dreams.
Sir, the poor and inefficient service delivery we experience today is because meritocracy and competency have been murdered at the altar of nepotism and favouritism. It is also prevalent even in the Nigerian Police Force of which if you recall, you have also been a victim some years back.
Of course, dealing with uninvited change in our lives is often difficult and painful. But whatever kind of change you’re dealing with, know that you will learn to cope and that you have a unique opportunity to shape the future of Nigerian inspired Police Force that will fight and reduce the high crime rate in the country.
Meanwhile, you are coming on board as IGP in a time like this, just as Vice-President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has charged you to restore confidence and the dignity of the Nigeria Police Force and to implement the community policing policy, sir this is the way out of the high level of crime rate we have in Nigeria today.
The operational strategies of police can be rejigged in such a way that AIG and Commissioner of Police is an indigene of the same state or region he or she is posted to, likewise the Divisional Police officer (DPO). These men are still your men that you want to work with for success and efficiency but they are from the state, area and community they are policing, as a result, will give the community hope and bring about a good working relationship with the police in crime-fighting because they are working with someone whom they know and that knows the norms and tradition of the area.
The central conservative truth is that it is culture, not politics, that determines the success of a society.
Not the posting that is influenced by powerful politicians, traditional rulers and businessmen because of their selfish interest. This is a modification of the 1989 directive that policemen from the ranks of a Deputy Superintendent of Police, down to a Constable, should return to their state of origin. It’s your time, do whatever is within your contest of power, that will promote better service delivery and quench the hunger of society.
There are pitfalls that have killed the dreams and aspirations of IGPs when they get to power, you must avoid it, by being a change tool that will revolutionise the Nigerian Police Force without favour and discrimination irrespective of tribe and religion.
The single most exciting thing you encounter when you are in charge is competence because it’s so rare, go for it, in it, is loyalty, successes, teamwork, dedication and effective service delivery.
