Daily Independent (Lagos)
Emma Maduabuchi
29 June 2009
Mike Okiro, Inspector General of Police (IGP) has, in the words of many, done the unusual, which incidentally has brought smiles to his face.
The Egbema, Rivers State-born super cop, who recently presented his book, Policing Nigeria in a Democracy instantly, became a multi-millionaire as individuals who graced the occasion were said to have bought copies worth over N60 million.
Okiro, who was obviously delighted by the turn of event, however, lamented that the tradition of his country was militating against policing in Nigeria.
He however described his book as a "conscious attempt to x-ray and highlight the statutory roles of the Nigerian Police in the emerging democratic dispensation."
His words, according to admirers, is a symbolism and the book, enough to inspire hope on Nigerians that better days are coming for the country in terms of the conduct of public servants.
But, his critics think there is little to cheer from his words, which they consider as part of the usual fancy of Nigeria's public servants.
Yet, a security expect, Dr Ona Ekhomu believes that Okiro should be supported. According to him, what Okiro did is a welcome development and should be seen as an indication of his pedigree that needs to be commended.
"I know Okiro, he is a fine officer, I was the one that reviewed his first book and it was worthwhile. And I think this latest contribution will be very responsible contribution to society, especially in a country like Nigeria where large portions of the people don't read. I am happy that a lot of citizens put their hands in their pockets."
Okiro's book, painted a picture of a police force working under huge pressure in a civilian dispensation.
"Today evidence abounds of investigations by tribunals of inquiry and panels probing and investigating the conduct of some major police operations. At the same time, evidence of social unrest, crisis and disturbances continue unabated. Fears of tensions stimulate reactions and sentiments, which fore-shadow backlashes, causing further public disorder and even crimes among citizens," Okiro had stated at the launch of the book.
He also noted that policing under democracy requires strict adherence to human rights, rule of law and accountability, and explained further that the accountability he was speaking about was in terms of whether the actions and inactions conform to dictates of the law. "It is also accountability in term of servants of the people subjecting themselves to the basic rule of being truly servants of the people rather than."
His admirers insisted that writing a book, which has eventually made him rich, showed him different from other public offices whose stupendous wealth after service hardly has any foundation. According to them, Okiro has presented a good departure from the past.
There are also those who see the money he made from the book launch as something gained from leveraging his position as the IGP, by attracting those in society capable of making available, the huge war chest.
Okiro, who was born on July 29, 1949, had his elementary education at St. Michael's School Kalabari Beach, Oguta and St. Peter Claver Seminary, Okpala, Imo State.
He also attended the University of Ibadan (UI), and later University of Lagos (UNILAG) where he obtained his Masters Degree.
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