Ajimobi, at Police Clinic launch, praises Police for return of peace to Oyo

Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, on Wednesday, attributed the peace and tranquility currently being enjoyed in the state to the dedication, commitment and gallantry of the officers and men of the Nigeria Police.

The governor, who spoke at the inauguration of a 50-bed ultra-modern Police Hospital at the State Police Headquarters, Eleiyele, Ibadan, saluted the Force for the giant strides in ensuring peace and security of the populace.

He said that prior to the advent of his administration, the state had been made a theatre of war, with violence, thuggery and brigandage reigning supreme.

“You will all recall that by May 2011, Oyo State was perhaps the state of lawlessness of nature propounded by Thomas Hobbes in his famous treatise. For a state that had hitherto been labeled as dirty and unplanned, the addition of a lawless state of brigandage was a heavy blow too unpleasant for our people to shoulder.

“Many of our people were killed mercilessly in crossfire as if we were in a state of war. Anyone who identified his or herself outside of the state as having hailed from Oyo State was perceived to be a part of the violent order,'' he said.

The governor specifically recalled the murder of a final year medical student of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Mallam Shanono and others, in June 2011.

He, however, expressed happiness that his administration, in partnership with the officers and men of the Nigeria Police, had upturned the unfavourable climate of fear and acrimony that it inherited.

“We have taken governance beyond the violence and chaos that we inherited, through the cooperation of the officers and men here seated. We are proud of you. We promise to continue the regular consultations and offer of logistics support to the Police Force,'' he said.

The governor congratulated the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. M. D. Abubakar for the security innovations he had introduced and the increase in welfare packages for the officers and men of the Force.

Governor Ajimobi said that since assuming office, the Inspector-General had paid attention to the provision of equipment, welfare and training of officers and men.

“IGP M. D. Abubakar has indeed made this the epicenter of his administration's policies. This has led to a more robust policing, an effective and efficient Police Force and officers and men who take pride in their profession and their calling,'' he said.

According to him, the innovations had improved the public perception of the police, thus increasing the police/public relations as the people see themselves in the force and its officers and men.

“By establishing a clinic which will cater for their health and that of their children and wives, a police man can put his all into defending the people since his interest is being taken care of back at home. This no doubt gingers the police to go to the zenith of their ability and to devote greater energy into the course of protection of our lives and property,'' he said.

In his address, the Inspector-General of Police charged those in positions of authority to always do what was right in their relationship with their subordinates, realizing that a day would come when they would account for their stewardship.

This, he said, had served as a motivating factor for him as he took time to attend to every officer experiencing any health challenge, no matter how low his rank might be, anywhere in the country.

“My belief is that health is wealth. No officer can deliver his constitutional duties efficiently and effectively without being physically and medically fit,'' Abubakar said, adding that this accounted for the construction of the hospital by the Police Force.

He said that the hospital would be replicated in other police formations across the country to cater for the health needs of officers and men of the Force, their families and indeed, the general public.