Friday, 29th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

‘I went, saw, conquered and i’m back here alive’

By Alifa Daniel, Abuja
14 January 2017   |   1:35 am
The truism of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) motto: "Rest is Sweet After Labour," came into practical manifestation recently at the home coming reception party organised by friends...
Ogunshakin (middle) and his wife, Chinyere

Ogunshakin (middle) and his wife, Chinyere

The truism of the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) motto: “Rest is Sweet After Labour,” came into practical manifestation recently at the home coming reception party organised by friends of the retired Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of Police, Johnson Tunde Ogunsakin.

Prior to his retirement on July 1, last year, the impression of him by his associates was that he is a no-nonsense, thoroughbred cop, who has no pleasure in smiles, not to talk of laughter.

But his thanksgiving event in Ikerre-Ekiti, Ekiti State proved the contrary that Ogunsakin, during his service years, was only keeping to the dictates of his professional career; hence no time for frivolities, except to see the job done efficiently.

As a result, his smile during his service years was like flash of lightening and before you realised it, it had vanished and replaced with stern-looking disposition.

He proved his guests wrong with ceaseless smiles throughout the event, an indication that having retired from the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), he now has time for pleasures, as “Rest is Sweet After Labour.”

The occasion provided him and those who knew him an opportunity for reflections on his performances while in service, just as he received encomiums for his exemplary track record.

Despite his enviable performance, Anglican Vicar/Archdeacon of Ikerre Ekiti, Venerable A. O. Ayodele, advised Ogunsakin against plunging into the murky waters of Nigerian politics, but to explore his capabilities and influence in getting the governorship slot to his community.

Governor Ayo Fayose, who arrived the venue without any executive paraphernalia associated with most governors, described Ogunsakin as a very outstanding Police officer.

He said: “One day you will look back and thank God for leaving at the time you left. I am here because you are one of the leading light in Ekiti. Your time will come.

“It is not easy living out of office, but God will guide you, give you direction and support you.

“When I retire, I will remain in Ekiti. I am not going to the senate. I am not going to America.”

Also, the state Deputy Governor, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said: “When good people join the Force, the image of the Police, as perceived by the public, will change. Having put in about 34 years in the Police Force, we have found him exceptional.

“Though he did not become Inspector General of Police, but we thank God for his distinguished career in the Force.”

Goodwill messages from top hierarchy of the Force include that of the wife of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mrs. Asmau Idris, who highlighted and applauded the virtues of wife of the retired AIG, Mrs. Chinyere Ogunsakin, as a member of the Police Officers Wife Association of Nigeria (POWAN).

Other dignitaries who graced the occasion include the Osomawe of Ondo, Dr. Kiladejo; Ogaga Ikere Ekiti, Oba Ademujimi Adu Alagbado, Agirilala Ogbeniwotoro 11; senior lawyer, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), among others.

The celebrant gave insight into what motivated him to join the Force in 1982, recalling that after witnessing how policemen dealt with students who were protesting against school fees increase during the “Ali Must Go” protest in 1978, he observed how a policeman gave justice to a maltreated student within reasonable circumstances.

“I was impressed and decided I could do same from the inside if I could join the Force. And I did,” he asserted.

Ogunsakin, however, said: “All over the world, policemen are not liked, but you cannot do without policemen. In accepting to be a policeman, you have accepted to die. They stay awake while others sleep. The same thing with all the military forces.

“So, it is actually a duty to die and not to live. You sacrifice your own life while others live. I went, I saw, conquered and I am back here alive.”

Some of the Police duties Ogunsakin was involved in include as leading investigations into $20million fraudulent transfer from NEPA accounts in London/US to a Geneva bank. The funds were recovered, suspects apprehended and charged to court.

He also led investigations into the kidnapping of a Briton, John Hillman, by Nigerian fraudsters for a ransom of $380,000. The victim was rescued, while suspects were apprehended and charged to court, as well as the case of hijack/murder of a Nigerian vessel and its crewmembers on the West African Coast, where the suspect was apprehended and jailed in Guinea-Conakry.

0 Comments