This is the story of AIG Olusholla Babajide David as presented on his Diamond Jubilee and Retirement Thanksgiving, by the Rt. Rev’d (Dr.) James O. Odedeji, the Lord Bishop, Diocese of Lagos West.
FAMILY BACKGROUND: AIG Olusholla Babajide David is a devout Christian, who was raised like every other child in the serene environment of Yaba, Lagos. Olusholla Babajide David was born on Thursday, 29th August 1962 into the family of the Late Mr. Solomon Olajide David and the Late Mrs. Comfort Aotorola David. Four years later, in 1966, he lost his dad. As an upshot, David stayed on and off with his Mum and Aunt. It was his mum who saw him and his siblings through school. He is eternally grateful to his mother.
EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND: AIG David grew up to become a shining and brighter star among his peers as he was resolutely determined to succeed in life. He had his elementary school at Ladilak Primary School, Sabo, Yaba, between 1969 and 1974, and obtained his First School Leaving Certificate in 1974. He had his Secondary school education at St. Finbarr’s College, Akoka, Yaba, between 1974 and 1979, where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC) with Grade 1.
It was from there he proceeded to King’s College, Lagos Island, between 1979 and 1981 to obtain his Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 1981. Olusholla Babajide David then went further to obtain a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc) (Hons) Degree in Political Science in 1984 at the Premier and Prestigious University of Ibadan (UI), where he was a member of the Independence Hall Executive as the Commissioner of Sports and later a member of the UI Students Union Executive as the Minister of Sports.
His quest for academic excellence later saw him acquiring a Postgraduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi in 2000. He also attended the Prestigious National Defence College, Abuja, between 2015 and 2016 to obtain a Certificate in Higher Defence & Strategic Studies.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT: As a focused and determined young graduate, AIG Olusholla Babajide David on completion of the mandatory one-year NYSC program, joined the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) in 1986 as Cadet Officer. On completion of the 18 months training program at Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, in July 1987, he was posted to serve in Kano Command of the Force. From there, he steadily rose through the officer cadre of the Police Force to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in March 2019.
AIG Sholla David served in many Commands and Formations of the Nigeria Police Force holding Operational, Tactical, Strategic, and Command duty posts during his exciting career in the Force. He served in various State Police Commands, Departments, and Formations of the Force. These include Lagos, Gombe, and Delta states, Ports Authority Police Command, Oyo, Kebbi, and Ogun states. Others are Zone 10 Command Hqs, Sokoto, Zone 9 Command Hqs, Umuahia, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Police Pensions Office, Police Cooperatives Society and Bayelsa State Command. AIG Sholla David also served as AIG / Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos, AIG Zone 11 Command (Oyo & Osun States), and AIG Zone 5 Command (EDO & Delta States).
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE: AIG Olusholla David attended many local and foreign professional courses and workshops including Mobile Police Course, Citizenship and Leadership Training Course, Intermediate Command Course, ITF Management Course, Senior Command Course, ASCON Higher Management Workshop, GIZ Human Rights Training Course and Counter Terrorism Course and Ports Security Management Course amongst others. He also attended a one-year Higher Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the National Defence College, Abuja.
Furthermore, during his National assignment, AIG Sholla David was privileged to attend some Executive Management, Corporate Governance, and Financial courses in the United Kingdom, USA, Spain, Belgium, and Dubai amongst others.
AIG Sholla David is a prudent manager of resources with entrepreneurial flairs and is adept in corporate governance. He was the Executive Secretary of the Biggest Cooperative Society in Nigeria, the Nigeria Police Cooperative Multipurpose Society Ltd. AIG Sholla David, also sat on the Executive Board of several companies including but not limited to: NPF Microfinance Bank Ltd, NPF Pensions Ltd, NPF Mortgage Bank, and NPF Property Development & Construction Company Ltd. He was the Chairman of the Audit, Investment and Finance and General-Purpose Board Committees at different times.
ACADEMIC CONTRIBUTIONS: AIG Sholla David has some academic write-ups to his credit which include: “Effective and Efficient Policing in Nigeria: Inadequacies, Problems and Solutions” and “Recruitment Process and National Security in Nigeria: An Appraisal of The Nigeria Police Force”.
AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS: AIG Olusholla Babajide David was awarded the prizes for the best graduating Officer in Academics, at the Nigeria Police College, Ikeja, and the best graduating officer, Intermediate Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos. He was also awarded the “fellow of the Defence College” National Defence College, Abuja.
HUMANITARIAN SERVICES: AIG Sholla David during his exciting career visited many Orphanages across the Country where he made donations in cash and kind to the homes. Furthermore, AIG Sholla David built the Police Area Command Headquarters, Ilaro, while he served as the Area Commander, Ilaro. While also serving as the AIG Zone 5 Command Hqs, he built a fully Air Conditioned 200-Seater Conference Hall, IGP MA Adamu Conference Hall.
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL BODIES AND SOCIAL CLUBS: AIG Sholla David is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, USA, and a member of the Nigerian Institute of Management. He is also a member of the Matey Club of Nigeria and Lagos Country Club, Ikeja.
CHIEFTANCY TITLES: In recognition of his services to the Community, AIG Sholla David was installed as the “Akinrogun of Iju Ishaga”, Lagos State and the “Akogun of Ajegunle-Ota”, in Ogun State.
FAMILY LIFE: AIG Olusholla Babajide David is married to his sweetheart, “Dd” Tolulope, and the Union is blessed with adorable and God-fearing children, OlaOluwa, Olajide, and Oluwabusolami, and a grandson, Ayotomide. AIG Sholla David loves playing table tennis and enjoys watching Nat Geo Wild and detective/crime movies.
