The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria from Warri, Udu and Effurun branches in Delta State on Friday honoured an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Shaba
The gesture was in recognition of his anti-corruption disposition and exemplary conduct.
The body presented the award on Shaba at Ekpan Community in Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
The senior lawyers also presented the police officer with a monetary reward of N1 million.
The cash reward was a scholarship award, meant for any of his children’ education and to acknowledge his effort towards fighting crime in the society.
Shaba, who is currently the area commander in the Ughelli Police Area Command, was the immediate past divisional police officer of Ekpan Division in Uvwie and was decorated as the best Police Officer of the Year 2023.
Presenting the award, Chief Thompson Okpoko, the former chairman of the Body of Benchers of Nigeria said that the programme was organised to appreciate the police officer’s outstanding performance
“We felt we should acknowledge what is good. We commend ACP Shaba, good work must be commended and rewarded.
“When such officers go back, they will not be afraid to say, they have done so much.
“BOSAN also decided to donate a sum of N1 million to Shaba and asked him to award it to any of his children deserving the scholarship award to go to school and also learn to become a good Nigerian.
“Even though corruption has pervaded virtually all strata of the Nigerian society, we need people like Shaba to pick up the campaign in the Police Force, to change the system. If there is nobody ready to receive bribe, there will be nobody to give it,” Okpoko said.
Also speaking, Mr Augustine Alegeh (SAN), former National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), urged police officers to exhibit distinction, commitment and dedication to their duty.
Alegeh, while speaking on the topic,
“The Nigeria Police Force and public perception” said that such traits would earn the police officers good recognitions from the public
Alegeh thanked Chief Okpoko (SAN) for bringing the SANs together to honour ACP Shaba.
The former NBA national president noted that despite the challenges in the country, some individuals still excel in their services to the nation.
He said that Shaba had excelled in a way that he should be celebrated, noting that the recognition would encourage other officers to do same or better.
“This hosting is not just about celebrating Shaba, it will spur others around him to do same or better.
“We cannot keep complaining about the federal and state governments. Life makes meaning if we all do our beats in our respective states.
“Instead of SAN asking federal government to reward individuals, it has done it’s part by recognising Shaba. If what SAN has done needs recognition, so be it.
“We cannot just be asking the federal and state governments to recognise people when on our part, we have done nothing.
“So, I thank Chief Okpoko (SAN) for bringing us together to celebrate and honour Shaba,” he said.
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Alegeh said that the maiden award programme was neither yearly nor bi-yearly, nothing that if another police officer exhibit distinction beyond the call of duty, he would be recognised.
“However, unfortunately, if no officer exhibit such traits in the next 10 years, there will be no need to celebrate. We only celebrate excellence.
“We are celebrating excellence and we hope this will make more officers excellent,” he said
Alegeh, however, advised other serving police officers to do good job in order for them to earn good recognition.
On his part, Shaba thanked the BOSAN for the award, noting that he never expected it.
“I never saw it coming. I am highly delighted to have a class of SANs with my Commissioner of Police and well-meaning citizens in Delta State, particularly in Warri, coming together to give me this award.
“This is just to tell other officers to put in their best, not for reward purposes. They should always do what is right, so that people will say good things about them,” he said.
“Any operative with criminal tendencies need to change forthwith. Whatever you do, people will speak about it,” Shaba said.
The event which was first of it’s kind in the Niger Delta region, was attended by members of both the inner and outer bar as well as judges.
