By Okosun Dennis
Call it a night of eating, drinking and dancing galore, you are absolutely right. But when you add a celebration of a gentleman officer that brought enormous innovations to policing, the accolades and soothing words that described the ingenuity of CP Ahmed Kontagora, best captured the mood.
However, when friends and colleagues gathered at the Artisan Lounge and Bar, Anifowose Street, Off Adeola Odeku on Thursday night, it only brought joy, ecstasy and fulfilment in celebrating a man with multifaceted dimensions and candour.
The man of the moment was the immediate past Lagos State Command’s Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, CP Ahmed Kontagora, who was recently elevated to the rank of Commissioner of Police and by virtue of his rank, relinquished the position for a higher appointment.
When he spoke during the dinner organised in his honour by the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Victoria Island branch led by the “accurate workaholic networker,” Mr Matthew Ibadin, who is also the Chief Executive Officer, Badinson Security Services, as part of his promotion to the rank of a Commissioner of Police and sent forth, it only defined a man with so many parts; an astute, friendly and homily officer.
In his remarks, CP Kontagora applauded the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Bala, the AIG Zone 2, AIG Adeyinka Bode and CP Abiodun Alabi of Lagos State Command for their unflinching support that galvanised his promotion.
He thanked the press especially for their professional prowess; portraying the activities of the command in good light without any fake news or ill feelings against the command.
“To the members of the press, they are reliable and dependable. They never gave us fake news. I have worked with some of them and they have proven to be reliable. They always call us for clarification of facts before publishing. I will continue to honour their dexterity,” he observed.
“As you honour me, you have just said the Nigerian Police has done well-ensuring peace and tranquillity in the society. Lagos is one of the most peaceful Commands in the country. Response to a distress call is second to none. I salute the Divisional Police Officers for putting their men on the alert at all times.
Lavishing encomium on the gentleman officer, it was a night of tributes, adoration and veneration to a man that has cracked several hotspots where criminally minded individuals wanted to cause commotion in the state.
The gathering had the presence of AIG Adeyinka Bode, Zone 2 Commander, he described CP Kontagora as “a jolly good fellow whom I knew and worked with for the past 30 years. He is a likeable officer and calm”.
However, when DCP Shille, Admin Zone 2 mounted the podium to speak, it was quite apt. “He is a close person and we have forged ahead together in the force. We were in the Interpol together. He is an amiable, humble and down-to-earth family man.
Adding that he is “firm and straight forward” but he reminded him that promotion comes with lots of responsibilities which could also be challenging sometimes. But with his sterling records, he assured, CP Kontagora would go places, he reiterated.
On his part, Otunba Ayo Ola’s words were not only deep but genuinely infectious. “A wonder fellow with exemplary qualities. A very calm and calculated senior police officer. A workaholic who always patrols the streets at very odd hours of the night; ensuring that all is well and crimes are interdicted.
While proposing a toast to the newly-promoted Commissioner, the Lagos State PCRC Chairman, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo described him as a “problem solver who has always found solutions to other people’s problems no matter his schedule.
With joy and satisfaction expressly written on his face, CP Kontagora couldn’t hide his feelings considering the lavish encomium bestowed on him by friends and colleagues.
Thanking God for the opportunity to be celebrated, he thanked Matthew Ibadin, Chairman, Victoria Island PCRC as a man God has blessed humanity with. In addition, he noted, “Ibadin is an accurate networker and a workaholic,” who has used immense knowledge and organisational acumen to lead Victoria Island PCRC to greater heights.
The unforgettable night came with plenty of music and dance with the DJ’s ability to remix contemporary music was icy on the cake. Cheers which rounded off the night, brought civilians and senior police officers to honour a man that brought tremendous innovations and strategies to policing and operations department.
In attendance were the DCP Fayode Adegoke; DCP Shille, Zone 2 Command; DCP Musa Garba; DCP A.Y Tahir, DC Cooperative; ACP Oludotun Odubona, ACP Operations; CSP Aku Chukwueke, O/C D14 SCID Panti and Mr Dennis Nwanze, a security expert.
Others include Daniel Omorere, Secretary, PCRC Victoria Island; Obong Ntia James, Vice Chairman 2; Samuel Akinniyi Adeboyede, CEO The Hampton Hills; CSP Veronica Ameh-Akpa; CSP Patricia Amadin, DPO Anthony Village; CSP Taiwo Oyewale, DPO Bar Beach; Otunba Ayo Ola and the Lagos State PCRC Chairman, Apostle Kehinde Showemimo.
https://any.peopleandpowermag.com/pcrc-victoria-island-fetes-cp-kontagora-in-lavish-sent-forth/
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