Dipo Kehinde/
A host of notable Nigerians watched with amazement yesterday as the Nigeria Police Force crowned the career of retiring Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Adeleye Oyebade with a glorious pullout parade at the Police College, Ikeja, where the story of his career began with an award of excellence about 35 years ago.
As columns of almost 1000 officers in police ceremonial dress held the grand parade led by Superintendent of Police Baba Sanchi Mikail, a retired Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sunday Ehindero told the large gathering: “Today marks the departure of Leye Oyebade DIG from the Nigeria Police Force after a successful career and attaining the age of 60 years. It was in this College that I trained Leye and about 70 others in 1986. It is not coincident that it is in this College that we are conducting the pullout of Leye. He excelled during the training as the best all-round cadet and he was awarded a Sword of Honor.”
Thousands of Oyebade’s admirers around the world also hooked on, through a link, to the virtual broadcast of the ceremonial elegance and splendor that is the dream of every officer.
Addressing the gathering including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; Oba Riliwanu Akiolu of Lagos, retired IGP and Chairman, Police Service Commission, Mr Musiliu Smith; the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye; the General Overseer of the Winners Chapel, Pastor David Oyedepo, DIG in charge of Finance – Mr Baba Alkali and many top police officers, Ehindero added, “I recollect advising the cadets passing out of the college to make a career of Police Force and take the tide at the flood. Shakespeare said, ‘There is a tide in the affairs of men, which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures.
“Leye Oyebade took advantage of the flood and high tide to make a fortune and career in the police force. In his career in the Nigeria Police Force, he held sensitive post, including my PSO 2 when I was IG in 2005. He was DCP State CID, Panti, Lagos; he was AIG in charge of Zone 11, comprising of Ondo, Oyo, and Osun State; finally as DIG in charge of Research and Planning of the Nigeria Police Force, Leye Oyebade took advantage of the current when it was useful, and made a successful career in the police force. It was Shakespeare who also said, ‘All the World is a stage, and all the men and women are merely players; they have their exits and entrances. One man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages…’ Today he is exiting the Nigeria Police Force after a successful career attaining the age of 60 years. I congratulate Leye and his family for a successful career in the Nigeria Police Force, leaving the police in one piece and not in pieces. Leye Oyebade DIG could say in the words of St Paul the Apostle, I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course; I have kept to the oath of allegiance, and I have kept to the faith. Fare thee well, Oyebade.”
Other dignitaries at the event included Senator Ibikunle Amosun, Senator Ganiyu Solomon; retired DIG Babatunde Peter Ogunyanwo; the Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone ‘2’ Headquarters, Lagos, Mr Ahmed Iliyasu; the Oyo State CP – Joe Enwonwu; Edo State CP – Babatunde Johnson Kokumo; Ondo State CP – Bolaji Salami; Ogun State CP – Edward Ajogun, Lagos State CP – Hakeem Olusegun Odumosu, the Commandant at the Police College, Ikeja – CP Olasupo Ajani, and DCP Yetunde Longe of State CID Panti.
Oyebade’s bigger boss, Alhaji Musiliu Smith said in his remarks: “Leye is close to us. He has been close to us because he happens to be a very, very sound officer. Not only knowing very well police duties, not only being a very good detective having commanded the CID Panti, but he also happens to be a good administrator; very good ambassador of the Force who has attracted a lot of good people to be close to the Force; so I want to use this opportunity to heartily congratulate him and the family. At least the family will now have Leye 100 per cent, not like 10, 20 per cent before. Let me advise you that as somebody who has done 35 years of solid service to our country, that as he is coming out, please you must slow down. You slow down because you are not growing younger. I want to use this opportunity to wish you a very happy, very peaceful, and very successful after service life.”
Pastor Adeboye’s message was delivered by the Assistant General Overseer in charge of Administration at RCCG, Pastor Johnson Odesola.
He said, “I stand here to bring congratulations of Pastor E.A. Adeboye the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God to Pastor Leye. In the police, he is known as a DIG. But, in the Church circle, we know him as a pastor; and he functions in all areas as a pastor. We have seen him preached. He has functioned on the highest platform along with Daddy G.O. So, our Daddy is sending congratulations. We want to congratulate you, Pastor Leye for working for this nation, serving your motherland and having good support here. And we believe that the service to this land is a continuous one. Daddy asked me to tell you few things – Number One: You need to stay connected to the source of your life. God is always the source of your life. He’s helping you to come to the earth to be a solution, not a problem; to be an answer, not a question. Number Two: He asked me to tell you the word of God that he had taught you. But never leave your mouth, because the grass can wither, the flower can fade, but the word of God will stand forever. Number Three: Don’t forget to ask God any time you are in a junction that you need a solution.”
He also thanked the DIG’s wife, Adebimpe, and his mother, Mrs Yinka Oyebade.
“We thank our mummy in particular, who is also a pastor in the Church, for that investment you have put on Pastor Leye. The Almighty God will keep you and elongate you, ma. May God bless you in Jesus’ name. And Mummy Pastor, the wife of Pastor Leye, thank you for taking care of Pastor Leye to be able to do all he did for the nation.”
Led by the PRO Zone 11, Osogbo SP Ayeni and former PRO Zone 11 and Oyo State, CSP Ajisebutu, some officers identified as Oyebade’s team presented a gigantic gift that appeared as a huge refrigerator to the DIG.
In his valedictory address, Oyebade said, “I thank God Almighty for today and for His grace to witness this ceremonial pullout parade organized in my honour. I am elated and full of gratitude as today marks the end of a fulfilling career as a police officer. What more, it is also my 60th birthday! I would have served for 35 years on 1st of February 2021.
“My enlistment in the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police along with 106 other colleagues began here on February 1, 1986. I was 26 years old, young, energetic and full of dreams, aspirations and high hopes. We all had ideas on how we would contribute in fighting crimes and how to make our society better. Our path was strewn with different challenges and obstacles but to God be the glory some of us surmounted while others were not so fortunate.
“After bagging an Honours degree in Sociology from the foremost University of Lagos, my mind was made up that the police is the right place to deploy my knowledge and with conviction and passion, I joined one of the best police, if not the best police force in Africa.
“The Nigeria Police Force groomed me to become a full man and a professional law enforcement officer with excellent training in and out of the country. I have served on multi-lateral missions and I will always be proud of the conduct of my colleagues who served meritoriously with other police officers from other countries. Nigeria invested in us and we in return gave our best in the service of the country. I pray this tradition continues and the best of our young men and women in the service can attain lofty heights.
“Although at the beginning we knew the road was going to be bumpy, but how rough it would be we didn’t quite know. We were overwhelmed with joy, spurred by passion and patriotism. We put in our best. We fought battles. Ours was and still is a daily battle with criminals and enemies of the people and of the society.”
Oyebade had words of advice for aspiring police officers and cadets.
He said, “I want to share a little of my experience and to encourage them. Police officers should realize that whenever they put on the uniform, the best conduct, best character traits and selflessness is expected of them. The uniform is a garb of honour and integrity and must be jealously guarded. This is so, because the police officer carries the authority of the sovereign to maintain law and order. Therefore, that authority must be exercised with circumspection, respect for rule of law and with decorum.
“The ongoing police reform holds a lot of promise for a better police force where the public and officers and men of the Nigeria Police will have an understanding that policing is not for uniformed men alone, but a collaborative effort of every citizen. The welfare of serving officers and men must be giving greater and urgent attention. Training and re-training with an eye on best global practices must be emphasized. It is time to embrace technology in combating crime.
“It is my hope that our educators will include in the school curriculum right from the elementary class and higher classes, studies in citizenship, valor of service as police officers, military service and in other para-military services. The police motto: “Police is Your Friend” must be imbibed by the public and the officers, through their conduct.
“Serving as a police officer involves a lot of sacrifice and deprivation. At all times, officers must remember their calling and ensure that they are not distracted in the discharge of their duties.
“I remember my comrades who lost their lives in the line of duty. My thoughts and prayers are with their families and loved ones.
“To everything under the earth there is a season. There is a time to begin and a time to end. I have no regret that I served the Nigeria Police Force for there is no honour greater than service to one’s country and service to humanity. The memory of the good working relationship we shared while in service will continue to linger in my mind till eternity.
“I return all glory to God who gave me grace to attain the enviable rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police. Many indeed were called, but few are chosen. In my almost 35 years sojourn in the service, I have come across and seen several people from whom I have received mentorship and some I have also mentored. My story would not be complete without such people who I can say, apart from the Almighty God, contributed tremendously to my career success. Failure to acknowledge their invaluable place in my life would be the most annoying act of ingratitude. Since I am not an ingrate, I therefore with all sense of commitment and gratitude, thank God for His enduring protection, guidance, wisdom and I thank my mentors whose wise counsel guided me.
“It is often said that behind every successful man, there is a woman. Indeed there was a woman by my side. There is still the woman with me and there will always be the precious woman behind me. I want to, from the depth of my heart, appreciate my adorable wife, Adebimpe – a Pearl, a rare gem, a woman of substance who has been a pillar, an adviser, a confidant, a motivator, a critic and sometimes a ‘prop in my distress’ – as well as my lovely children – Ronke and Tola for their fondness for me and my job. I apologize for being an absentee father, depriving them of fatherly attention as I was almost always away from home due to routine transfer that the nature of the job demands. I am glad, and indeed they are glad too, that at last I can now make myself available at retirement. To my family members, friends, acquaintances, and all my professional colleagues – both in the police and other sister agencies who are here present and those who are unavoidably absent – I say thank you for your support.
“I stand here to give this valediction because I had the opportunity to serve in the police. Some were willing but didn’t have the opportunity. For this reason, I want to thank the Federal Government for giving me the rare opportunity to serve my fatherland and for all the quality training I received. I also particularly express my sincere appreciation to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR; the Chairman, Police Service Commission, Alhaji Musiliu Smith, IGP Rtd; and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, NPM, mni for their wonderful support which made my service successful. I cannot also forget to appreciate the good people of Nigeria and the Media for their support for me while in service.
“Although I am leaving the stage, the Nigeria Police Force will forever remain my constituency. I will always do everything legitimate within the power given me by God to support it even at retirement. I will be available whenever my service is required. This is because, as General Douglas MacArthur once said, ‘Old soldiers never die; they simply fade away’. I hereby rephrase as, Old police officers never die; they merely step aside.
“Although there are myriads of challenges confronting the police, there is hope on the horizon, and there will be light at the end of the tunnel. It is my desire that the ongoing police reform will continue unabated and that, hopefully in no distant time, we will have the people’s police of our dream. I urge Nigerians and friends of this great nation to support the police believing in their ability to protect lives and property.
“While the people yearn earnestly for a reformed police force and while the government is taking bold steps to reposition the Nigeria Police Force to enable it confront the security challenges in our dear country, I want to admonish my affable colleagues still in service to continue to be diligent, dedicated, committed and patriotic as there is reward for hard work if not by man definitely by God. They should at all time, no matter the circumstances, strive to serve with passion and with the fear of God.”
While bidding his farewell, Oyebade prayed that God should protect those coming behind him and that they will not end up in body bags.
He added, “You will also retire successfully from active service. We will be alive to rejoice with you at your retirement. Your bodies will not be parceled home for burial. You will not be dismissed. You will receive your entitlements in good health. I hope to hear good news about you and about the fortune of the Nigeria Police. Goodbye! Goodbye! To my anxiously waiting family, I say, home I come, with my mind and body intact, to the glory of God. It is a new dawn!”
Oyebade’s career was further summed up in a citation read by the Lagos State police spokesman, CSP Muyiwa Adejobi, listing the DIG’s passions, his contributions to Police Reforms; his intellectual engagements, Team Work, Initiative, Professional Excellence, Crisis/Conflict Management and Resolution.
According to the citation, Oyebade who is a member of the National Institute (mni), bagged a Master of Science (Sociology) in 1985, from the University of Lagos, where he had earlier bagged a Bachelor of Science (Sociology) in 1983.
He is a member, International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP); member, Board of the Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan; Associate, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); Member, Governing Council, Institute of Criminal Justice and Criminology Administration (ICJCA), and Honorary Fellow, Institute of Information Management (FIIM).
Oyebade’s Awards and Commendations include: The Nigerian Bar Association Award of Excellence; Award of Excellence given by the Inspector-General of Police, Bangladesh; Policing with Fear of God award presented by the Calvary Life Seminary and Theological School of Mission, South Africa; Award of Excellence as the Most Distinguished Service and Excellent Achievements (2007) presented by the Stakeholders’ Forum of the State CID, Panti, Lagos (2011); Award of Excellence in Crime Fighting presented by Centre for Conflict Management and Sustainable Peace Building in Nigeria (2015); Award for Invaluable Contribution to Sports Development in Nigeria presented by Discovery Sports Federation; Meritorious Service Award by Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) (2000); Humanitarian Service Award of Honour by Honey Land Schools, Ipaja, Lagos (2008); Alimosho Security Watch Award of Excellence (2002); Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) Award for Support of Sports (2015); Distinguished Award in Crime Fighting by CRAN (2015); Inspector-General of Police’s Letter of Commendation for Professional Conduct and Zeal, Dedication and Commitment to Duty (January, 2016); Inspector-General of Police’s Letter of Commendation for Exceptional Leadership and Prudence (May, 2016); Best Crime Busting Police Command in Nigeria from Security Watch Africa at Johannesburg, South Africa on November 17, 2016, and Most Outstanding Commissioner of Police on Security Reforms and Good Leadership in Nigeria by the Nigeria Senate Committee on Police Affairs on March 23, 2017.
Others are Distinguished Commissioner of Police of the Year on Effective Security Vigilance by the Nigeria Senate Committee on Police Affairs on May 27, 2017; Award for Dedication and Commitment to Legitimate Duty and Contribution to Sustainable Peace, Stability & Harmonious Co-operation among diverse Communities and Ethnic Groups towards a lasting solution to Conflict and Criminal Activities in the Sub-Region by the African Emerging Leadership Research and Development Organization (AELDO), Abuja (May 15, 2017, and Award of Excellence – the Most Distinguished Public Service Award by the National Institute for Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA-Nigeria) (November 5, 2019).
Listed on his Landmark Professional Achievements/Assignments, Oyebade successfully supervised the Security for the 2020 Governorship Elections in Edo and Ondo States respectively. The two elections have been generally adjudged nationally and internationally as safer, freer, more credible, more transparent and more peaceful than previous elections in the history of Nigeria’s democratic process; establishment of the first ICT e-Training Centre (Info-Tech Centre), to restore Professional Excellence and High Investigative Skill on Internet Fraud Related Cases, as the Deputy Commissioner of Police at the Lagos State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti – Yaba, Lagos (2007 – 2008); Initiated Memo that later Actualized to the Establishment of the Police Chaplaincy in The Nigeria Police Force, as the Principal Staff Officer II to the IGP in 2005; served as the Secretary of the Committee under the Leadership of retired DIG Musa Abdulkadri that reviewed the Government White Paper on Alhaji M. Danmadami-led Presidential Committee on Nigeria Police Reform in 2006.
Oyebade was Secretary to the Board of Enquiry under the Chairmanship of retired IGP Mike Mbama Okiro. The board was set up by the IGP to unravel the killings of six suspected persons (APO SIX), in questionable and controversial circumstances in June 2005.
Oyebade was Police Representative on the National Governing Board of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from February 2005 to May 2007, and the Police Representative on the National Ports Decongestion/Overtime Cargo Committee that sanitized the General Functioning of the Onne Port, Port-Harcourt in 2006.
Oyebade participated in the Senior Executive Course 40/2018 at NIPSS, Kuru, Jos Policy and Strategic Course in February 2018; Train the Trainers Workshop on Leadership Performance Evaluation for Senior Police Officers under the Police Reform Programme at PSC, Jos; Leadership and Performance Evaluation, March 2012, Course of Higher Management organized by the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON) at PSC, Jos; Service Delivery/Leadership and Accountability, February 2009; Senior Command Course No. 31/2009 at Police Staff College, Jos; Course of Instruction, February 2009 INTERPOL Conference in Lyon, France; International Policing Strategies – March 2005 INTERPOL Conference in Berlin, West-Germany; International Policing Cooperation/Strategies – September, 2005, Utstein (U4) Anti-Corruption Training Workshop, at the Utstein Anti-Corruption Resource Centre, Abuja; Complexities of the Corruption Phenomenon, Cause & Explanations of Corruption, Strategies, Approaches & Basic Reforms and International Cooperation/Legislation in October, 2005; Survival Awareness in Service Workshop organized by the US Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Victoria Island, Lagos – Policing & Personal Safety in February, 2002; Intermediate Command Course No. 42/2001 at PSC, Jos/Staff College, Jaji – Counter Revolutionary Warfare (CRW) in July, 2001; Management Workshop for Intermediate Command Course No. 42/2001 organized by the Industrial Training Fund (ITF) at PSC, Jos, (June, 2001); Workshop on “Networking the MMIA Security Agencies – The Making of a Friendly Airport”, at Onyx Plaza, GRA Ikeja, Lagos; Management of Airport Security and Safety in Synergy with other Security Agencies in November, 2000; Workshop on “Airport Security – An Integral of National Security” organized by Centurion Security & Safety Consult in Association with FAAN, at MMIA, Ikeja, Lagos – Management of Airport Security (June, 2000); the Cadet Officers Course 1/86; Basic Officers Training (including Police Mobile Force Training at Gwoza & Citizenship and Leadership Training/Course, Shere Hills, Jos) in 1986.
Before his retirement as the DIG in charge of Department of Research and Planning at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, Oyebade had served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police (Directing Staff) National Institute for Policy & Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos between January 2020 and July, 2020; Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 11 Headquarters, Oshogbo from February 2019 to January 2020; Commissioner of Police, Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigations Department, Abuja, January 2019 – February 2019; Commissioner of Police, National Institute for Policy & Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru, Jos (January – December 2018); Commissioner of Police, Commandant, Police College Kaduna (October – December 2017); Commissioner of Police, Railway Command Headquarters, Ebute-Metta, Lagos (September 2017); CP Abia State Command (August 2016 – September 2017); CP Oyo State Command (September 2015 – August 2016); CP Maritime Command, FHQ Annex, Lagos (April 2014 – August 2015); Deputy Commissioner of Police in-charge Administration, Abia State Command, Umuahia (August 2014 – April 2015); DCP Operations, Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin, Edo State (2012 – August 2014); DCP Administration, Railway Command Headquarters, Ebute-Metta, Lagos (2011 – 2012); Area Commander Port-Harcourt Metropolis, Rivers State; Rivers State Command, Port-Harcourt (2010 – 2011); Assistant Commissioner of Police, A Department, FHQ, Abuja (February 2010 – 2011); Area Commander, Delta Area Command Headquarters, Asaba, (September 2008 – February 2010); DCP in charge of State CIID, Panti – Yaba, Lagos (June 2007 – Sept., 2008); Principal Staff Officer II to the IGP, FHQ, Abuja (February 2005 – May 2007); Divisional Police Officer, Ipaja Division, Lagos (2002 – 2005); Officer In-Charge, General Investigation, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos (2001 – 2002); Airport Command’s Operations Officer, Ikeja, Lagos (2000 – 2001); Railway Police Operations Officer at Pen Cinema, Iddo and Ebute-Metta, Lagos (1999 – 2000); CSP in charge of Administration & Divisional Police Officer, Babura Division, Jigawa Police Command Headquarters, Dutse (1997 – 1999); DPO Ilupeju; DCO Festac; OPS’ Area ‘G’; DTO Ikeja and OPS’ Alausa, Lagos State Command (1995 – 1997); Staff Officer Junior (SOJ); DTO & A/O Ifo Division; DCO Iperu Division, Ogun State (1992 – 1995); O/C Orile Police Post; O/C Ijanikin Police Post & OPS’ Ojo Division, Lagos (1990 – 1992); Personal Assistant to DIG Training, FHQ Annex, Moloney Street, Lagos (1990); Operations Officer, Surulere Division, Lagos (1989 – 1990); Divisional Crime Officer, Aramoko – Ekiti (1988 – 1989); Divisional Traffic Officer/Officer In-Charge NYSC Camp, Mubi, Adamawa State (1987 – 1988).
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