It was indeed an ‘Eko o gba gbere, Lagos does not condone laxity’ showpiece yesterday for the government and people of Lagos State. This is as the Lagos State Police Command erased an unimpressive patch of its history, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
Since its inception and for a security organization as massively productive and constantly evolving as the Lagos State Police Command, it doesn’t have its own standalone Music Band like other State Commands does. It has always depended on the Police College Ikeja Police Band of the Force Headquarters for music band duties anytime the need arises. Such duties include regimental parades, entertainment, social, and ceremonial engagements which were always performed by the Police Band domiciled at the Police College Ikeja as established in 1961 by Major I. Boyle. That narrative was effectively stopped yesterday with the establishment of the Lagos State Police Command Band under the leadership of CP Olorundare Moshood Jimoh.
This is why the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu even though he couldn’t attend the event in-person requested that one of Lagos’s favorite folk songs, Eko o gba gbere, be played at the event. The novel idea, initiated by the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, was formally commissioned by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun and the Governor of Lagos State as represented by Secretary to State Government (SSG), Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin.
The event was also attended by the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), Dr. Ayo Ogunsan; the Chief Justice of Lagos, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Lagos State, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN; Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade, and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Kaosarat Bada Ambrose; Director General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, NIHOTOUR, Aare (Dr.) Abisoye Fagade; Assistant Inspector of Police, AIG Zone 2, AIG Adegoke Fayoade; AVM Bashir Rimi Mamman; former Force Secretary, AIG Yetunde Longe (retd); Director of Music, Nigeria Police Band, DCP Favour U. Chinonyerem among others dignitaries.
Speaking at the event, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun hinted: ‘This event would have taken place last week but because the CP knows my passion for the Police Band and I wasn’t around, he decided to shift it to today so that I will be here physically to launch the Band.’
‘This event is a milestone to institutional development of the Lagos State Command. For the first time since its establishment, Lagos State Command operated without this essential component. It has always relied on the Force Headquarters band. Though it is functional, it is not ideal, and it is a fundamental omission for a Command that should have long possessed this capacity internally. Today that omission has been cancelled.’
The Lagos SSG, Barr. Abimbola Salu-Hundeyin noted: ‘the quality of the State executive members here strongly shows our support to what’s been done this evening. Mr. Governor believes that security is the ultimate when it comes to the duty of a government. We do appreciate the Police and every security agency, and we know that without security, trade cannot go on.’
In his goodwill message, the Executive Secretary/CEO of Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, Dr Ayo Ogunsan cited: ‘The power of music rests on the profound influence that it has in the mind, emotions, and body. Music is a universal language though there is a place for sports which is unifying, but music is powerful.’
He told CP Jimoh, ‘You are now a complete leader. You have been able to integrate into policing system a place to calm anxiety, stress, and to do away with anything that can make you get depressed. Your men are hard working, you have created an avenue for them to relax at some point, you will have the best results from your men.’
‘Business has just started. I hope the IGP and CP will allow this band to be commercialized so that the state and private people can invite them. I will be one of the first to engage them for my birthday,’ Ogunsan said.
The Lagos Police boss, CP Jimoh who shared some positives for the launch of the Band for Lagos State Command highlighted that it would strengthen ‘Public Relations and Police-Community Trust; Crowd Control and Public Order Support; Ceremonial and State Functions; Boosting Morale and Discipline within the Force; Image Building and Corporate Identity; Cultural Integration in a Mega City; Support for Community Policing Initiatives; International Best Practice and Benchmarking; Stress Management and Mental Well-Being; and Revenue and Partnership Opportunities.’
The newly constituted Lagos Police Band ‘is fully equipped and powered with high grade sophisticated and world acclaimed branded musical components. This is geared towards our personnel not only dishing out sonorous and quality musical production for which Nigeria Police Band is reputed with, but also serve as a long lasting asset base’, the CP concluded.
The Police Band performed many musical tunes to the delight and dance of everyone present. They also played live with the Police ambassador, Korede Bello, who was promoted from honorary Superintendent of Police (SP) to the rank of honorary Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP during the event by IGP Egbetokun.
