Mike Okiro set to emerge as Ohanaeze President
I am rooting for Sir Mike Mbama Okiro for president-general, apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze.
He was commissioner of police, Lagos State in the days of the OPC crises. He handled the situation with tact and wisdom. Even the Hausa – Yoruba clash in Idi Araba that cost lives and properties estimated at millions of naira didn’t consume him.
He went on to become DIG and finally the ultimate – Inspector General of Police. He was later appointed chairman, police services commission (PSC).
Sir Mike Okiro was born on 24 July 1949 in Oguta, Imo State and hails from Egbema in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He is the Agunechemba I of Egbema, and Nigeria’s first ethnic Igbo to assume the post of Police Inspector General.
He holds a degree in English Language from the University of Ibadan, a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Lagos and an LLB and LLM from the University of Jos.
He, in addition, also holds Honorary Doctorate Degrees from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo State and Novena University, Delta State.
He is an Alumnus of the prestigious National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), Kuru Plateau State.
He joined the Nigerian Police in 1977. Operational and command positions include serving as DPO in several police stations, Member, Armed Robbery & Firearms Tribunal, Lagos State, Assistant & Deputy Commissioner of Police (operations), Lagos State and later Benue State.
He received a double promotion from Commissioner of Police when he became Deputy Inspector-General of Police. In June 2009, Okiro released a book titled “Policing Nigeria in a Democracy”.
Since the post has been zoned to Rivers State, I endorse his candidacy and pray there won’t be any controversies as to his choice to head the Ohanaeze.
Chukwuelobe is veteran Media Executive, lives in Lagos