REMARKS BY IGP MOHAMMED A. ADAMU, NPM, mni AT THE CEREMONY MARKING THE UNVEILING OF THE LOGO AND MASCOT OF THE 12th NIGERIA POLICE BIENNIAL GAMES HELD AT THE FORCE HEADQUARTERS ABUJA ON 10TH FEBRUARY, 2020
I am delighted to address you all on this unique occasion which marks the unveiling of the Logo and Mascot of the 12th Nigeria Police Biennial Games.
2. Sports is a crucial element in policing. This is because as a physically tasking and mentally demanding profession, every police officer is expected to maintain a very high level of physical well-being and mental alertness in order to aid in the optimal performance of their duties. Sporting activities act as a vehicle for achieving this professional objective.
3. In addition, the principles of comradeship, fairness, discipline, resilience and focus which regulate sports are also important elements that every police officer is expected to imbibe in order to remain on high professional pedestal. Hence, sporting events like the Police Games provide an opportunity to enhance camaraderie among ourselves as Police officers on the one hand, as well as with our colleagues in the Armed Forces and other security agencies on the other hand. This synergy is vital to building inter-agency trust which is critical to the advancement of our national security interests.
4. Beyond this, the Police Games is a strategic engagement that presents us with the opportunity to entertain and build goodwill with the general public in a manner that will fill the trust gap, strengthen confidence building between the citizens and the police, and accelerate the attainment of our Community Policing goals.
5. In practical terms, the event provides us a platform to discover sporting talents in the Nigeria Police who would re-enact the heroic and historic performances of the likes of our own ACP Chioma Ajunwa, who at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, USA, attained the feat of becoming the first athlete from Nigeria to win an Olympic gold medal, and who to date, remains Nigeria's only individual Olympic gold medalist.
6. We are also desirous of re-producing the likes of late SP Sunday Bada who won three medals at the World Indoor Championships, including a gold medal in 1997, set a national record in the 4 x 400 metres relay at the 2000 Olympics, where he led the Nigerian team to win gold medals after the disqualification of the USA.
7. Our target is also to take advantage of the Games to produce another Samuel Peters, the 'Nigerian Nightmare' who rode on the opportunities that the Nigeria Police Games provided him to become the WBC Heavyweight Champion. We intend to discover great footballers that will restore the glory of the Nigeria Police Football Team, the 'Police Machine' and the Female Police Football Team.
8. It is in cognisance of these that the Police Games have evolved over the years to become an integral part of the rich history and proud tradition of the Nigeria Police. In this regard, the 12th Nigeria Police Biennial Games will feature over twenty events which are expected to present a great spectacle for the relaxation and enjoyment of all our guests. I therefore, seize this opportunity to invite all and sundry to Anambra State to enjoy the Games with us.
9. I wish to particularly, solicit the support of our friends in the media in ensuring the widest possible coverage for the Games. In furtherance to this, the Office of the Force Public Relations Officer will be releasing a jingle for broadcast to sensitize the public and create awareness on the Games.
10. I will like to express our immense gratitude to His Excellency, Chief Willie Obiano, our host and the main sponsor of the Games. We assure Your Excellency that the good people of Anambra State shall be treated to one of the best sporting experiences in justification of your huge investment in the Games. It is our hope that others will join hands with His Excellency and the Nigeria Police in ensuring a successful and eventful Games.
11. At this juncture, it is my honour and rare privilege to invite Their Excellencies, the Executive Governor of Anambra State; the Honourable Minister of Police Affairs and the Honourable Minister for Youths and Sports to please join me in unveiling the Logo and Mascot of the 12th Nigeria Police Games which is tagged 'Anambra 2020'
12. I thank you all for the honour of your attendance and I look forward to seeing you again at the event proper in Awka, Anambra State.