The immediate past Inspector General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has said he is happy to pass the baton of leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to IGP Egbetokun because they grew up together on the job.
Baba, who spoke on Tuesday at the Aso Villa in Abuja, said life is a stage and people come into office and leave when their time is over.
In a chat with State House correspondent after Egbetokun was decorated with his new rank as IGP, Baba described the event as “very significant”.
“It’s a stage; you come, you work and you go. I’m happy I am handing over to somebody I know that will carry the mantle of leadership from where I have stopped,” Baba stated.
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When asked how much of his successor he knows, the ex-IGP said: “We grew up in the job, we grew up together. I was his boss at a time, not even when I was IG; he worked under me twice; we’ve been working together. And I know he can champion the cause of policing.”
Earlier, Vice President Kashim Shettima decorated the newly-appointed IGP with his new rank at a short ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Shettima was assisted by Egbetokun’s wife, Mrs Egbetokun in the presence of senior government officials, including the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; amongst others.
The new IGP replaced Baba, who was appointed as the IGP by former President Muhammadu Buhari on 6 April, 2021.