Mr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun the Inspector-General of Police decorated two police officers who won the both 2023 and 2024 'Man of the Year' Award at the first and second National Police Day celebration with new police rank.
The Police Bass explained that the act is defining a legacy which marks a deliberate and strategic departure from the shadows of mediocrity that it is a resounding reaffirmation of what the police stand for excellence, integrity, merit, and national pride.
"We have come to honour men whose stories now serve as institutional case studies in courage and professionalism:
CSP Shaba Aliyu, Police Officer of the Year, 2023,
SP Sentome Obi, Police Officer of the Year 2024"
He emphasized that these two officers did not walk casually into this honour that they earned it through distinction in a field of giants. They were selected from among the very best officers who had also demonstrated exceptional courage, integrity and professionalism, and who were nominated across multiple categories during the fiercely contested 2023 and 2024 award years. The process that led to their emergence was deliberately rigorous, grounded inn objectivity and insulated from influence. It was a process designed to sift not just for performance, but for character. And they rose to the top not by accident, not by favour, but by merit then encouraged all officers to take note which is the standard.
Egbetokun explained that the ceremony is not routine but transformational.
"Just few weeks ago, we announced a bold policy: that any officer who wins the prime honour of Police Officer of the Year shall be recommended to the Police Service Commission for accelerated promotion. We also resolved that any officer who earns Inspector General of Police commendation or category awards for two consecutive years shall enjoy the same privilege. That policy was not issued for applause. It was born of conviction and today, we are living it out in full view of the nation" he said.
That this act must echo across every police officer, every station, every checkpoint, every patrol post which must be known that The Nigeria Police Force has entered an era where honour is not hidden, and excellence is not ignored. That they did not set the bar low with this singular exercise. That out of over 300,000 officers, only 38 met the stringent criteria for accelerated promotion. These officers did not lobby for favour; they let their work speak. And the institution has responded — publicly, proudly, and with full institutional endorsement.
"The portraits of the honourees will now adorn the entrance of the Force Headquarters, and be mounted at the entrances of all Zonal and State Commands until new heroes emerge. This is not mere symbolism — it is a national call to aspiration" he said.