IGP Ibrahim Idris At 60

The greatness or otherwise of every being is always a reflection
of where he stands at very critical moments of national
history.

Whether in the advanced nations or developing ones, people who
dare the odds, no matter the challenges, though few, usually stand
out.

This is because their deeds stand them out of the crowd because
they never fail to seize the moment to showcase their God-given
potentials at every opportunity. That is why Nigeria can never be
ignored because there is incontrovertible evidence globally that
despite its battered image in the recent past, it has men and women
who are global brands.

Have you bothered to ask yourself why President Muhammadu Buhari
is showered unprecedented love by the poorest of the poor in
Nigeria and are still yearning to vote him for second term despite
the challenges facing the country?

Have you asked yourself why there was no in-fighting in his
party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in an attempt to succeed
him when he was receiving treatment abroad like we had under the
Yar’adua presidency.

This only confirms that truly perception matters in human
relations because people judge you the way they perceive you.

Indeed, for the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris,
events of the last few years have given him the rare privilege of
writing his name in gold.

Perhaps, realising that the office of the IGP had almost been a
subject of scandals in the recent past, Idris from day one dared to
be different.

He did this by returning the police to the part of
professionalism by ensuring its return to its core values of being
a truly professional security institution.

Realizing that this cannot achieved with a wave of the hand, the
IGP has in the last few years motivated his officers and men for
improved performance.

Under his leadership, the police force has recorded an
unprecedented promotion since it was created to boost the morale of
its personnel.

Recently, the salaries of police personnel were increased
following the approval granted by president Muhammadu.

It is to the eternal credit of IGP Idris that this was achieved
under him, though the idea could have been started by his
predecessors.

For the first time, Nigerians can attest to the fact that they
are seeing an institution that now treats them with respect and
courtesy.

This is in line with the vision of the number one cop who
believes that the police must be a friend of Nigerians and vice
versa.

Recall that unlike in the recent past when cases against police
personnel were swept under the carpet, the IGP has dared to be
different.

He has done this by making sure that communication channels
between the police and the public have been widened to ensure
better policing.

Thus, Nigerians can now deal with the commissioners of police in
their respective states, even as IGP’s personal telephone lines are
public knowledge.

Aside this reported cases of erring officials are being swiftly
handled and appropriate punishment meted to those found wanting

In Lagos State for instance, a top official who killed an
official of LASTMA was dismissed posthumously and an apology
tendered to the family.

The police under this IGP was also at the home of a Nigerian who
was killed in the cause of duty.

Furthermore, there is no gain saying that IGP Idris has restored
credibility to the office he currently occupies by being above
board.

Though he has his own short comings like everybody, there is no
gain saying that perhaps for the first time in a very long time,
this IGP has not been involved in any financial scandal.

Even those who tried too rubbish his reputation have since kept
their mouths shut because they have since found Idris a hard nut to
crack.

Under him, the police as an institution has no doubt been above
board in the discharge of its duties.

From Kogi to Ondo, Ekiti, Anambra and Osun, the police have done
the nation proud despite challenges, though there is still room for
improvement.

Though the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP) may feel
otherwise, nobody can equate the current police to the one we had
under the sixteen years of the PDP. The party has won elections in
Kogi, Kaduna, Benue, Oyo and others with the Ibrahim Idris – led
police providing security.

Even the same international community to whom they take very
issue, including the mundane were part of election observers who
adjudged this election free and fair.

That the IGP has put up a superlative performance thus far is
not surprising going by his background as a United Nations-trained
Policeman.

Everywhere he posted, he was garlanded for excellence in the
performance of his duties.

Those who know him are therefore not surprised that he has
brought sound, workable and credible reforms to the police.

Like President Buhari said some days ago while reacting to
allegations that his family members have taken over certain
businesses, Idris critics should also come clean on allegations
against him or keep quiet.

Though his tenure as IGP may have ended, the consensus among
those who truly love this country is that we still need his
services especially at this time.

This no doubt in the best birthday gift President Buhari can
give to the hard-working patriot as he clock 60 on Tuesday January
16, 2019.

I join other Nigerians in wishing him happy birthday on this
milestone.

– Umohinyang, a social commentator, wrote in
from Lagos.