LAGOS, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA) – Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Aderemi Adeoye, says it is time to move into full time business and challenge the dominance of Africa’s richest man Aliko Dangote.
He said this while addressing the people of Anambra during his retirement after 35 years of service in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
Adeoye who spoke yesterday at the Dr Alex Ekwueme Square, Awka, Anambra State capital, where dignitaries and official of the state gathered, said he has seen it all during “my years in service, fighting against Boko-Haram, Niger Delta militants and the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) militants and surviving them all.”
He thanked the Nigeria Police Force NPF) for the opportunity given to him to serve through education and financial investments, as these have equipped him in the establishment of his own firm, Alpha Trust Investment Club (ATIC), in 2018.
He revealed that the firm investment is worth over N20 billion, adding that as he was vacating the office of the CP, he was going into full-time business.
According to him, the training acquired through the police force has equipped him to challenge Dangote’s dominance in business for the next decades.
READ ALSO: CP Condemns Assault Of Civilian By Policemen In Ebonyi
Adeoye said: “I have been through militancy in Niger Delta, Boko Haram in North East, fought IPOB militancy in the Southeast, and I’m glad that I’m alive today. Despite the gunfire and bombs we have encountered, I do not have any scar on me.
“I thank the NPF for the opportunity to serve, and Nigeria for investing in me through trainings at home and abroad.
“I have been privileged to be trained in Ghana, England, Israel, California and more.
“I have served abroad in the United Nations, and this career gave me opportunities for self development, and these have prepared me for retirement.
“It’s been a unique privilege serving Anambra.
“I’m proud of my men in the Anambra State Police Command. You are gallant, heroic and never giving up.
“We didn’t achieve anything through individual efforts but with other sister agencies.”
He revealed that his firm investment is worth over N20 billion, as this is one of the easons he’s vacating the office of the CP, for full-time business.
READ ALSO: Enugu CP Uzuegbu Commissions DRS, Assures Residents Of Security
Continuing he said in 2018, he founded an investment club, Alpha Trust Investment Club (ATIC) Limited.
“We started it with a modest sum of N54 million, but today, we have investments worth over N20 billion.
“That will be my full time business from Wednesday, May 1. We have been investing and now we want to go into full time business, and we will in the next 10 years give Dangote a run for his money,” he said.
Anambra State governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, was not present, but he was represented by his Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, who commended Adeoye for his efforts in helping the state in fighting insecurity.
He said: “There’s a time to start and a time to begin and a time to end everything. We knew today would come.
“The CP came to Anambra and has played his role meritoriously. He came when Soludo was tackling insecurity and people were in the bush fighting lawful citizens.
“Adeoye came in at the same time with his own style and dedication, sincerity of purpose and doggedness, and within a short space, Anambra is now calm. It is not over until it is over, and the fight is still sustained.
“If it were in our hands, we would say let this good man continue, because we are happy with his works.
“A street has been named after him, and many awards too. I’m happy to proclaim that you’re now a citizen of Anambra. We wish you well in your future endeavours.”