A NEW CUSTODIAN OVERWHELMINGLY CROWNED, AS OGUN PCRC OVERCOMES SET BACKS ; BOUNCES BACK WITH A BANG.

For many good followers and analysts, Ogun State has been the model and point of reference whenever the activity effects of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Nigeria is being researched or examined. Not to say many other states are not actively and diligently flying the colour of the highly effective, supportive and mediative committee established in 1984 by the then IGP Etim Inyang to function as a bridge between the Police and the Community, but the fact remains that Ogun State has often shown some amazing level of  consistence, resilience and dedication which in turn has positively impacted and keeps impacting the general and collective image of the PCRC all over the country.

Not many group, parties and organization in our present day society often develop and come out of crises stronger and fresher in the amazingly inspiring way and  manner at which Ogun State PCRC has often shown and recently displayed. To many observers, there's an uncommon substance or say a special conflict resolution recipe hidden somewhere in the Gateway State. But in the real sense, one certain factor responsible for this uncommon height, according to our meticulous and painstaking analyses, is the outstanding leadership and level playing ground entrenched and thriving under the PCRC NEC being  led by the National Chairman, Dr Farouk Maiyama (Yariman Jega). The Kebbi State PCRC product and highly referred university lecturer with outstanding understanding and pedigree in leadership matters has successfully and closely knitted into one, the drive and taste for success in the PCRC fold* such that, no state or zone wants to lack behind.

One can categorically state that the PCRC NEC, under Dr Farouk Maiyama, deserves major accolades for the way and manner at which the strategies of conflict resolution is usually initiated when ever the need arises. We always can end crises when we want by surrender. But some ideas are more important than peace : Dignity, Freedom, Security. That is, peace with justice--a--just peace. Peacemaking is not necessarily one's highest goal in a conflict, then. But the peacemaking principle and sub principles ease this process. They help avoid pointless escalation and aggravating conflict interactions. They speed up the trial and error adjustment of opposing interests and they help establish a more acceptable, more stable peace permitting incremental progress toward social justice. Another relevant qualification and term "peacemaking" was well established and used accordingly. Unfortunately, the verb "make" can imply that peace is designed and constructed as a house is planned and erected brick by brick or a road engineered and built. The fact remains that, peace is not constructed like a bridge. But peace emerges from the balancing of individual mental fields.

Apart from the PCRC NEC, the level of cooperation and maturity displayed by other major actors and PCRC leaders in the Southwest Geopolitical Zone, Zone 2 and Ogun State Commands, with the likes of the National Vice Chairman, Alhaji Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan,*Zone 2 Chairman, Alhaji Bashir Balogun and the immediate past Ogun State Chairman, Pastor Dr Michael Lawson can not be over emphasized. Pastor Dr Michael Lawson in particular, in a display of an uncommon virtue in a typical Nigerian society, carved an inch for himself by voluntarily stepping down on health ground and passing over the mantle of leadership of Ogun State PCRC to his Deputy, Ven. Dr. Samson Kunle Popoola (JP).

Distinguished personalities such as : CP Olayinka Balogun (Rtd.), Elder Chief Abdulfatai Alawiye, Bishop Akin Akinsanya, Alhaji Hon. Farouk Akintunde, Revrd Dr. Francis Osibowale, Rotrn. Bankole Akibu, Chief Sunny Yemi Osinowo, Hon. Taiwo Akinlabi, Hon. Yomi Whyte, Iyalode Dr Jackie Adunni Kazim, Mr Jide Fasola, Alhaji Lukman Agboola, Hon. Maseka, Pastor Joshua Olanrewaju, Chief S.J. Popoola, Alhaji Ogungbe (CSP) Rtd., Chief Mrs Feyisara Odunlami, Comrade Sansa Omolara and many other names mentioned in a report earlier published today Wednesday 24th June, 2020 by the Ogun State PCRC Public Relations department, including the unflinching collaborative and leadership role of the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, CP Kenneth Ebrimson, can best be described as superlative, inspiring and exceptional. The Ogun CP, whose tenure has witnessed and continues to witness series of Commissioning of new Police Stations built through community efforts is now being popularly referred to and hailed as "the Commissioning Commissioner" with praises for his solid partnership with the PCRC, even all through the challenging period.

Now, the signal is louder and clearer with no distortion whatsoever as yesterday's swearing in of Ven.Dr. Samson Kunle Popoola marks the return of PCRC to where it belongs, which is the number 1 spot. The  brains are fresher than ever, hands amazingly on deck and unity while the field marshals can't wait to set the ball rolling. No one left behind in this flight to safety and progress can point accusing fingers, the door was wide open, calls loudly made and intention declared before departure. Even in the likelihood for a stop over, getting on board will require genuine readiness for decorum, contribution for serenity and safety of the flight without compromise.

Permit me to quote from the words of the National Vice Chairman in charge of PCRC Southwest Geopolitical Zone, Alhaji Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan, as the delivered during the swearing in ceremony at Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, Eleweeran Abeokuta yesterday as follows:  "I have no doubt in your ability to surpass the good works of your predecessors in Ogun State. However, it is important to let you know that you are starting afresh but to finish the tenure of your predecessor. We all witnessed your good work during your short period, in acting capacity. You are expected to leave aboard by unifying all tendencies in the PCRC of Ogun State. We have done our bit and the rest fall on you now. Please, be a builder and dissociate yourself from enemies of progress that have never seen good in Ogun State".

Dropping this pen without a mention or reference to the wonderful works and great contribution of a worthy ambassador and outstanding representative of the IGP, Mohammed Adamu in Ogun and Lagos States as AIG in charge of Zone 2 will be an error of a billion dollar. AIG Ahmed Iliyasu Psc+, the Agunaechemba 1, remains a father figure, teacher and pathfinder as far as PCRC Ogun State is concerned.

Published : Wednesday 24th June, 2020.