Key Lesson And Reasons Why Solomon Arase’s Appointment As Nigeria Police Service Commission Chairman May Be President Buhari’s Best Legacy In Nigeria!
When I read that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, had appointed Solomon Ehigiator Arase fdc, FCIArb, CFR, as the Chairman Nigeria Police Service Commission (NPSC) in January 2023, I was not surprised but delighted that at last, some of our recommendations are being taken and acted upon.
I didn’t say or write anything about it initially because I chose to observe certain things for a little while before posting a public version of my congratulations to him. If there is anyone I can confidently call a father, uncle, brother, and reliable friend all rolled in one, he is undoubtedly one of such, as the history I share with him is pretty nostalgic and profound.
Hence I chose to hold back a little and allow many other people to do all the talking and congratulations first. Left to myself and him, they are all more like outsiders compared to our closely-knit family-like relationship and I have always cherished this fact.
President Muhammadu Buhari appointed Solomon Ehigiator Arase fdc, FCIArb, CFR, as the Chairman Nigeria Police Service Commission (NPSC) in January 2023, and it may be his best gift to Nigeria.
However, after having observed for a while, I feel it’s the right time to share my thoughts on his appointment and highlight a key lesson we can all learn from it here for everyone.
If the appointment of Solomon Arase is the only thing that President Buhari does for the people of Nigeria and the shambolic state of our nation’s security before he leaves office, it is one to be grateful for because I am very confident that this move will significantly improve the Nigeria Police Force and all her affiliate security agencies.
Why am I so sure about this? Well, from my years of knowing and working closely with him when I was the Principal Consultant for the same Nigeria Police Service Commission, I can boldly and categorically say one thing about him right now. Not only is Solomon incredibly vast in knowledge, international exposure, and immeasurable tactical acumen, but he is also a profound administrator with incredible skills in public relations, psychology, sociology, criminology, law, investigative reporting, and intelligence policing.
The highly decorated AIG Zubairu Muazu who was Head of Counter-Terrorism, Assistant Director, and later Head of Lagos State Operations of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This former Inspector General of Police of the Nigeria Police Force served as the 18th Nigerian IGP after Suleiman Abba was sacked, and the advancements, progress, and developments in every area of the Police Force were not only quite glaring but widely celebrated by all, too!
Those celebrated feats and laudable initiatives that he propounded and established in the NPF during his tenure were not flukes or one-off successes by any means, though, as he had already established a great name and an enviable track record for himself while he was stationed as the Head of the State Criminal Investigation Department (NPF SCID), Panti Street, Adekunle, Lagos State. This was evidenced by the several accolades and awards he won, including the National Police Medal in 2013), among others.
My encounters with him in Lagos State, Abuja, the United States of America, and some other parts of the world gave me an invaluable opportunity to glean so much from him as a great luminary of security, intelligence investigations, operations, law, conflict resolution, hostage negotiations, and so much more. Again, I boldly say that these are the grounds upon which my opinions about him are formed.
The former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Marvel Akpoyibo mni, who eventually retired as an Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG).
We did have our ups and downs, as is typical in every family. Still, his incredible patience, humility, and remarkable ability to calmly listen and objectively respond to issues and anything happening around him gave him an uncanny ability to diffuse any tense situation and resolve things amicably and swiftly.
Oh, I indeed count myself very fortunate to have been under his tutelage and guardianship, along with other astonishingly great minds, including the former Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Marvel Akpoyibo mni, who eventually retired as an Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), the extremely smart Late AIG Chris Olape, who served as a Commander at the Antibomb Squad, and later became the CEO of the Lagos State Traffic Authority (LASTMA); the highly decorated AIG Zubairu Muazu who was Head of Counter-Terrorism, Assistant Director, and later Head of Lagos State Operations of the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Head of the Special Fraud Unit (NPF SFU) in Ikoyi, and the NPF Airports Command in Lagos, and the ever irrepressible former Force Public Relations Officer and now Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba.
The ever-irrepressible former Force Public Relations Officer and now Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba.
Nigeria may not have been lucky enough to have all these men rise to the pinnacle of their careers in the NPF as the Inspector-General. Still, I assure you that we have been richly blessed and honored to have them lead in every capacity they have, and still do, in their careers – as is the case with CP Frank Mba and now Solomon Arase.
A vital lesson for everyone to learn from this incredible former NPF IG-cum-Chairman NPSC is that diligence and excellence will not only give you a name and honor that none can ever stand against or refute in your field but they will also make you indispensable and keep opening limitless doors of opportunities for you all through your life!
The wise King Solomon was not speaking gibberish or nonsense when he said: “Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before kings; He shall not stand before mean men.” – Proverbs 22:29.
Solomon Arase, Chairman, Police Service Commission
As evidenced by the life of this great former NPF IG, even when you have supposedly given your all, duly served, and retired, you will yet remain highly sought after. Your diligence and penchant for excellence will make kings and nations bring you out of retirement so that they may retain you in prominent positions of power where your undeniable positive effects can continue to be felt, experienced, seen, and enjoyed by all.
So, whatever is committed into your hands, like my beloved father, uncle, and friend, Solomon Arase, do it with all your heart and might. Ensure that you give nothing short of excellence and your very best always, and you will also be accorded this same level of honor, dignity, and respect in your life and even long after you’re no more.
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