MEET FRANK OSHANUGOR
By Frank Oshanugor
The proposed Police Veterans Association about to be formally launched on March 5, 2024 has been hailed by the Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria (CRIVIFON) as a veritable entity that would help to improve the lots of both retired and serving police officers when operational.
In a statement on Thursday, Executive Director of the Foundation, Mrs. Gloria Egbuji hailed the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC) Dr. Solomon Arase and the incumbent Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun for agreeing to establish such a Foundation that would primarily promote activities that border on the welfare of both retired and serving police officers.
According to the CRIVIFON chieftain, the Police Veterans Foundation is long overdue in coming, as many retired police officers’ welfare over the years have been deteriorating with little or no concern from the country’s leadership as no forum has been there to speak for them.
The Police Veterans Foundation was conceptualised for the need to create a veritable platform for galvanizing support for the welfare of retired police officers most of whom are faced with debilitating health and financial challenges after retirement. To achieve its objectives, the Foundation aims to raise awareness to mobilize support and establish a fund for the improved welfare of retired police officers.
It also aims to improve training and standardise operating procedures.
The Foundation which boasts of distinguished members such as the President of the Association of Retired Police Officers, DIG Mohammed Aminu Yesufu and CP Isah Greman plans to initiate improvement in the life of those in the Police Force.
The Crime Victims Foundation of Nigeria noted with dismay the squalid state some police officers live in, after decades of serving Nigeria creditably.
According to the press statement, “some retired police officers do not have something to fall back on, apart from their miserable pension in their post retirement years when age is certainly not on their side. Some do not have good houses to retire into and neither do they have enough savings to cater for their family needs ostensibly due to poor salaries while in service.”
The Crime Victims Foundation has therefore expressed optimism that with the coming of the Police Veterans Foundation, a lot of issues would be addressed towards taking care of retired officers and giving hope to those still in service.
Moreso, it is hoped that the proposed Police Veterans Foundation with benefit of experience on the part of members can aid in providing solution to myriads of security challenges, helping in intelligence gathering and rendering training assistance to Nigeria’s neighbor through consultancy services.
