By Prince Wiro
The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State,CP Olugbenga Adepoju has adviced Police Officers to plan their life ahead of retirement in order not to be stranded when they retire.
CP Adepoju gave the advice on Saturday,Ist February,2025 during the 20th anniversary celebration of Cadet ASP Course 22 at Officers Mess,Old GRA,PortHarcourt.
“Everybody in this job runs his race.There is no pension you can get than yourself.There is nobody that likes you more than yourself.You have to start planning your life now.You will live like you are going to retire tomorrow.
“Government work cannot make you rich.It can only give you what will sustain you to some extent to your exit.So if you are waiting for manner to come from heaven or anything miracle to be performed You are deceiving yourself.
“And there is a little to what your colleagues can help you with when the chips are down.The only thing that can help you is to plan and pray.Have a set goal for yourself.All of you will not end the job the same time.Some will be rich in the begining, some will be in the middle,some will be at the end and some will be neutral throughout and enjoy their life and that is how life is”CP Adepoju said.
Earlier,Israel Ukpong who is a member of Cadet ASP course 22 and an Assistant Commissioner of Police,ACP who spoke on behalf of others disclosed that the journey began with a total number of 609 cadet officers in 1st February 2005 but as fate would have it,the number has depreciated to about 510.
“The journey has been characterized by high and low moments.They were joyous time as well as moments of fears pains and anguish at the end of it all,we triumphantly passed out after 18 months of rigorous regimental trainings.
“Today we make bold to say,the stress and pain indeed worth it.Sadly on this same journey some have unfortunately lost their lives and some have been hospitalized due to health challenges” He said.
ACP Ukpong onbehalf of members of Cadet ASP Course 22 serving in Rivers Police Command thanked God for being alive to fulfil their dreams.
High points of the event was cutting of the anniversary cake.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police,Finance and Administration,DCP Samuel Erale,Deputy Commissioner of Police,Operations,DCP Al-Hassan Kawu,Assiatant Commissioners of Police,Members of Cadet ASP Course 22,SP Grace Iringe Koko, Public Relations Officer of Rivers Police Command,Well wishers were all in attendance.
