Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described the elevation of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to the topmost position in the Nigeria Police Force as a reward for professionalism and commitment to duty during his service as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.
Governor Fubara who stated this on Tuesday when the IGP paid a courtesy visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, said he was particularly happy that the IGP, who left Rivers State after serving during a very difficult and trying period, was returning in a higher capacity.
According to him, the IGP served at the peak of a political crisis in the State, but remained balanced, professional and committed to his constitutional duties throughout the period.
“I feel very happy that somebody who left here in a very difficult situation, in a very trying time, is here today visiting us in a higher capacity. Honestly, I feel very happy.
While he was here as Commissioner of Police, it was at the peak of a crisis, but I can tell you that he did his work not minding the situation. He tried as much as he could to balance all areas. So, I want to thank you for serving us well, and that service is what propelled you to this very exalted position that you occupy today,” Fubara said.
He described the visit of the Police Chief as a home-coming, noting that once someone has served in a place meritoriously, he becomes part of that place. According to him, posterity will always remember IGP Disu and the role he played during his ( Fubara’s) administration whenever the history of that era will be written.
Governor Fubara noted that the IGP has also assumed his current position at another difficult time for the nation, with the 2027 general elections approaching, and prayed that God will give him the grace to surmount the challenges.
“You are taking this new office at a very difficult time too, considering the challenges we are already facing in this country and the one we are about to enter into, which is the election. I strongly believe that God will give you the grace to surmount that challenge,” he said.
He assured the IGP of the continuous support and cooperation of the Rivers State Government in maintaining law and order, and offered prayers that the IGP “will never end in shame but will continue to progress to a greater glory.”
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, had earlier stated that his visit to Rivers State was a way of expressing his appreciation to Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the people of the State for their cooperation during his tenure as Commissioner of Police.
The Police Chief said he was also in Port Harcourt to attend the book launch of Dame Stella Okuyiga, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police and one of the first 20 women to join the Nigeria Police Force, who he described as a living monument at 94 years.
He commended the people of Rivers State for allowing peace to reign and thanked Governor Fubara for the support given to him while in office and the continued assistance being rendered to his successor.
The IGP noted that without the cooperation of the State Government and the Governor, policing would be very difficult, adding that other sister security agencies had also asked him to convey their gratitude to the Governor for his support to the security sector in Rivers state.
