Blessing Adure A, Reports from Nigeria
The Police Service Commission, today Tuesday, honoured Prof. Dickson A.O. Akoh, National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, with the Prestigious Award for philanthropy in the Police, for his invaluable contributions to the well-being and development of the Nigeria Police.
The honour was bestowed on Prof. Akoh at the 2023 Award Ceremony of the Commission to appreciate distinguished Nigerians that have shown remarkable commitments to the growth of the Nigeria Police.
In his keynote address, the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, retired Inspector General of Police, Mr Solomon E. Arase, said the Award Ceremony was designed to identify and reward outstanding contributions to the overall development of the Nigeria Police. He further revealed that he inherited a Commission that was in a state of mutual distrust and suspicion with the Nigeria Police Force. The conflict, he said, was so intense that it led to litigation, but was completely resolved under his watch, at the end of the day.
The former Inspector General and Chairman of the Commission, stressed his commitment to ensuring healthy and productive relationship between the Commission, the Nigeria Police and the citizenry, assuring sustained improvement in the Service of the Commission to the Nigeria Police and that of the Police to all Nigerians.
Addressing a cross section of the Press after receiving his award, Prof. Dickson AKoh expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Commission for recognizing his contributions, stating that he would never take that gesture for granted in any wise.
Asked about the relationship of the Nigeria Police with the Peace Corps of Nigeria in the past and what he taught could have informed his nomination for such prestigious award by a revered government establishment as the Police Service Commission, the National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria replied that he held no personal or organisational grudges against any officer of the Nigeria Police or the institution as a whole, as he considered whatever strained relationship in the past as inter-organisational differences, without hard feelings.
Prof. Akoh then took time to recount some of his benevolent gestures to the Nigeria Police which included the furnishing of the Office of the DPO of Otukpo Divisional Police Station in Benue State as far back as 2009, the purchase of communication gadgets for the Gwarimpa Divisional Police Station and Godab Estate Police outpost all in Abuja, the building of an Ultramodern Police Station in Ogboju and donation of operational van, building of another Police Station at Ugbobia community, all in Benue State. Also he mentioned his annual end of year token for some Divisional Police Stations in the FCT and countless welfare packages for officers and men of the Nigeria Police across board. He asserted that he did all that borne out of passion and goodwill for the Nigeria Police and the men of the Force, which he will continue to do timelessly.
On the issue of independent State Police, the National Commandant said rhe had little or nothing to say, but that he preferred talking about the concept of Community Policing which he felt was a brilliant innovation suitable for effective policing in Nigeria. He expressed reservation towards establishment of State Police structures in the country, citing the abuse of State Independent Electoral Commissions as clear example of malapplication of State institution to the detriment of the citizenry and to serve selfish interest of people in power.
Earlier in his special remarks, the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, lauded the activities of the Police Service Commission, and said that as long as he remained the IGP, he and his team will continue to work harmoniously with the Police Service Commission to ensure that the Commission is taken to the highest level it was designed to attain. The IGP added that he would always remain willing and ready at all times to partner with the Commission to make sure that they have a smooth working relationship.
Some top personalities that were honoured alongside Prof. Akoh with the Prestigious Award for philanthropy in the Police included; Prince (Engr.) Authur Eze, Aare Adetola Emmanuel-King, Sen. Philip Tanimu Aduda, JP, MFR, CON, – Senator (Dr.) Ifeanyi Ubah, CON, Mr Paul Odili, Sir (Dr.) Emeka Offor, Amb. (Dr.) Lawrence Oloche MON, and a host of others.
