“What you do has far greater impact than what you say”—Stephen Covey.
It takes a leader of conviction, integrity, and courage to speak truth to mischief. This is precisely what the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has done in addressing the unfounded insinuations and deliberate mischief peddled by those intent on casting a shadow over the credibility of the Nigeria Police promotion process, particularly the accelerated promotion exercise conducted a few months ago.
The IGP has hit the nail squarely on the head. His firm assertion that every promotion exercise conducted under his watch has followed due process, transparency, and merit-based standards is both timely and reassuring.
It reflects the renewed commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to fairness, accountability, and professionalism in managing the careers of its officers.
I completely align with the Inspector-General of Police’s declaration that there is no promotion scandal in the Nigeria Police Force. What exists is a clearly structured system that rewards diligence, professionalism, and proven capacity.
The attempt by a few detractors to misrepresent a transparent process as tainted is nothing more than a smear campaign against a leadership that is determined to rebuild public trust in policing institutions.
Under IGP Egbetokun, promotions within the Nigeria Police are no longer dictated by proximity to power or personal connections. As the IGP rightly emphasised, competence, performance, and discipline are now the sole determinants of elevation. There is no room for favouritism, nepotism, or tribal sentiment, vices that once undermined morale and distorted the Force’s career progression framework.
This merit-driven philosophy represents the cornerstone of the new Nigeria Police under Egbetokun’s leadership. It motivates excellence, boosts morale, and restores dignity to the uniform. Officers can now aspire to rise through the ranks confident that their hard work, sacrifice, and professionalism will not go unnoticed or unrewarded.
Equally commendable is the IGP’s charge to all recently elevated officers to fully embrace the philosophy of Community Policing and the practice of Intelligence-Led Policing. This call underscores his visionary approach to modern law enforcement, one that balances the power of technology, data-driven strategies, and citizen collaboration in tackling crime.
In today’s rapidly evolving security landscape, the need to harness technology, empower personnel, and drive innovation cannot be overstated. As the IGP rightly pointed out, these are the tools that will keep the police one step ahead of criminal enterprise.
The onus is now on the promoted officers to justify the trust reposed in them by translating their new ranks into tangible outcomes: safer communities, more responsive policing, and enhanced public confidence in the Force.
In conclusion, IGP Egbetokun deserves commendation not only for defending the integrity of the police promotion process but also for deepening a culture of merit, accountability, and excellence.
His leadership continues to redefine professionalism within the Nigeria Police, setting a new benchmark for future generations. Those attempting to taint this progress with falsehood will find that truth, as always, stands taller than mischief.
Adewole Kehinde is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja. 08166240846 @kennyadewole kennyadewole@gmail.com