In a remarkable tribute to a distinguished policing career, the former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has been honoured with the naming of an ultra-modern conference facility after him at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters, Ikeja.
The conference centre was conceived and constructed during by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Olohundare Jimoh’s tenure as Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony on May 29th, AIG Jimoh described the honour as a recognition of Egbetokun’s outstanding contributions to policing reforms, institutional development, and the modernization of the Nigeria Police Force.
According to him, the conference hall represents a lasting legacy of visionary leadership, professionalism, and commitment to service.
“This event is not merely the unveiling of a building. It is a celebration of a leader whose reforms and dedication have left an indelible mark on the Nigeria Police Force,” Jimoh said.
The facility, officially designated as the IGP Kayode Egbetokun Conference Hall, is expected to serve as a centre for operational planning, intelligence sharing, strategic meetings, policy formulation, training programmes, press briefings, and collaborative security engagements aimed at enhancing public safety and national security.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Tijani Fatai, represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Adesina Lawal, described the project as a major milestone that would enhance operational effectiveness and administrative efficiency within the command.
The highlight of the ceremony was the emotional address delivered by retired Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who reflected on one of the most defining moments of his career.
Egbetokun recounted how, in 2019, he was appointed Commissioner of Police for Lagos State but was prevented from assuming office following a last-minute reversal of the posting. He described the development as a painful and humiliating experience at the time, noting that it tested his faith, patience, and commitment to service.
According to him, despite the disappointment, he remained focused on his duties and continued to serve diligently wherever he was posted.
The former police chief said fate would later reward his perseverance when he rose through the ranks to become the Inspector-General of Police, the highest office in the Nigeria Police Force.
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Egbetokun noted that it was particularly significant that the same Lagos State Command where he once experienced disappointment had now honoured him through a conference centre built under the leadership of AIG Jimoh and named after him.
“What appeared to be a setback at the time eventually became a stepping stone to greater responsibilities and opportunities. Today, I feel deeply honoured that the same command where I experienced that disappointment has deemed it fit to immortalise my name through this conference centre,” he said.
Using his personal experience as a lesson, Egbetokun urged officers and men of the Force to remain humble, resilient, patient, and dedicated to duty irrespective of the challenges they may encounter in their careers.
He advised younger officers not to allow temporary setbacks, disappointments, or perceived injustices to discourage them from giving their best to the service of the nation.
“There will be moments of disappointment in every career, but officers must remain focused, professional, and committed to their duties. Hard work, integrity, perseverance, and patience will always speak for themselves in the end,” he stated.
Egbetokun also commended AIG Jimoh for his professionalism, leadership qualities, vision, and determination in initiating and completing the project, describing the conference hall as a legacy facility that would continue to inspire excellence and strategic thinking within the Force.
The event attracted an array of distinguished guests, including members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the Chinese community and business interests in Nigeria, officials of Cash and Carry Nigeria, representatives of the Lagos State Government, senior serving and retired police officers, heads of sister security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, and other stakeholders in the security sector.
Among those who delivered goodwill messages were former Inspector-General of Police Mike Okiro, retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Durosimi Olatoye, former Lagos State Commissioner of Police Fatai Owoseni, and retired Assistant Inspector-General of Police Adenola Johnson.
For many attendees, the ceremony was not only the unveiling of a state-of-the-art facility but also a powerful reminder that perseverance, humility, and dedication can transform setbacks into remarkable achievements, while highlighting the enduring legacy of a police officer whose journey from disappointment to the pinnacle of the Force continues to inspire generations.
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