The Inspector General of Police, Inspector Mike Okiro has commended Ecobank Nigeria Plc for supporting the Nigerian Police in its bid to host the first West African Police Games slated for Abuja from March through April this year.
Mike Okiro who spoke during the Fund Raising Dinner of the West African police Games, hosted by Ecobank said apart from promoting the integration and cooperation of all police formations in the ECOWAS countries, the Police Games will create room for interaction between members of the public and the force, thereby building confidence while changing public perception about the force.
The IG while expressing his gratitude to the bank said the Police needs the support of individuals and corporate organizations to succeed in the task of building a crime free society. He reiterated that “the partnership of all stakeholders will not only promote longevity of the force, but also inspire the confidence that is much needed for the police to succeed”.
Mr. Offong Ambah, the Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, represented by Jolone Okurodudu, the Group Head, Wealth Management of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, said the birth of the West African Police Games represents a new phase in the promotion, integration and cooperation of not just Police formation in the ECOWAS countries, but an opportunity to further boost trans-border businesses within the sub–region, of which Ecobank is a champion.
According to him the games will provide an uncommon platform for men and officers of the Police Force across the sub-continent to express themselves in a manner consistent with the mandate for which they were set up. This according to him is keeping fit at all times and seasons in readiness for the tasks set before them. He assured of the bank’s continual support on security matters across the continent.
The West African Police Games is expected to bring together all the 16 ECOWAS countries and 8 Police formations from other countries that have been invited to participate in specific events. A total of 24 countries will fly their flags at the games while 16 sporting events will be competed for.
The games will provide opportunities to share responsibilities, opportunities, values, information and cultural exchanges among police formations in West Africa. The bonding, relationship network and cooperation that will be initiated by the Games, will provide an enabling environment for cross-border crime prevention and peace keeping not only in the sub-region, but the world in general
