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Sir Mike Mbama Okiro: A Harvest Of Achievement Engendered Laurels By Emeka Oraetoka
The saying that every good work has reward holds true for Sir Mike Okiro, the immediate past Inspector General of Police. Okiro retired from Police on July 24, 2009, when he clocked Sixty [60] years in service. As Inspector General of Police, he worked hard to improve the relationship between his men and the civil society, for effective policing. The seriousness attached to improved police/ public relation under his leadership received big boost when the first ever MTN Peoples Police Marathon Race took place in the Federal Capital Territory [FCT]. The essence of the race was to demonstrate in practical terms that the police and the public are partner in progress, in crime fighting and ensuring security of lives and properties of Nigerians.
Some measure of success was recorded after the marathon race in the area of improved rapport between the civil society and the police. Probably for the first time in the history of Nigeria, the public started seeing the police in positive eyes. The general cynicism with which the police was viewed became a thing of the past under Okiro’s headship. The police witnessed improved living condition arising from increase in their take home pay, when Okiro held sway as the IGP. Though, the increase in the salary of Police officers was possible because President Umaru Musa Yar’ Adua,s administration was favourably in support of it and so, credit must go to President Yar’ Adua in this regard. It is not surprising that for the first time in the history of Nigeria policemen are now friendly to the public. Increase in their salary has also resulted in neatness of policemen, on like what was obtained in the past, where policemen put on rags in the name of uniform. The stern look associated with policemen in the past vanished for friendly and accommodating appearance, under Okiro’s leadership. The discipline in Okiro’s style of leadership ensured that the usual “watin you carri” and Twenty [N20] Naira “egunje” associated with the police became a thing of the past.
It is worthy of note that under Okiro, Police Housing Scheme was initiated to better the lives of officers. The essence of the housing scheme is to ensure that policemen own their house. As was the case in the past, policemen live in tattered penury without house over their heads after retirement, hence Okiro thought it wise to introduce the scheme, so that when officers retire from active service, they can have houses over their heads which they can confidently call their own. The initiation of Special Identity Card System for salary collection and also serves as ATM Card for collection of cash by officers and men of the police was to ensure that officers, especially, junior officers are not short paid by payment officers in the future. In general, for the first time in the annals of police institution in Nigeria, welfare of policemen took centre stage under Sir Mike Okiro’s leadership.
It is not surprising to very many, when Interpol, International Police in recognition of Okiro’s transformative effort in Nigeria as well as his brilliant international outings through the projection of improved image of Nigeria police, commended Okiro. In the commendation letter, Interpol said that it “benefitted greatly from your knowledge, professionalism, and support not only among your national authorities, but also in international and regional meetings”. The Interpol said it particularly recognized Nigeria’s support to the organization in areas of “regular financial contributions and human resources” during Okiro’s tenure as IGP. Interpol remarked that Okiro’s cooperation and assistance in that regard is “vital to Interpol’s ability to meet the needs of the international law enforcement community”. The commendation of Interpol showed in clear terms that Okiro’s tenure as the IGP was not only transformative but also placed Nigeria police on the world map, albeit positively.
Before Interpol’s kudos, The Royal Geographical Society London bestowed an
award on Okiro, called, “the Icon of Security in Africa”. The award was
given to Okiro at a press conference held by Richard Lander Foundation.
The citation at the press conference only echoed the position of President
Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s commendation of Okiro, when he gracefully bowed out
of the Police Force on attainment of Sixty [60] of age in service. The
extract reads thus: “a resilient achiever who never believes in failure”
and who set a new dawn for the police force and ushered in an era of
policing in a democratic Nigeria”.
There is no doubt that Sir Mike Okiro’s era as the Inspector General of Police completely sought and transformed police force from reactive institution to a proactive one. In-fact, Okiro brought intellectualism into policing in Nigeria for the first time in history, for instance, the introduction of The Dawn Newspaper was an intellectual onslaught on those who sought to mischievously tarnish the image of the police under him. Little wonder that his era saw the introduction of crime prevention through various intervention methods. There is no doubt that Okiro is enjoying life after retirement right now, it is clearly evident that providence is preparing him for higher service for his father land in the future.
Emeka Oraetoka Information Management Consultant and Researcher Wrote from Abuja P. O. Box 18928 e-mail: oramekllis@lycos.com
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