8th May, 2013
President Goodluck Jonathan has recommended former Inspector General of Police, Sir Mike Okiro, as Chairman of the Police Service Commission.
Sources told P.M.NEWS Wednesday that the recommendation has been sent to the Nigerian Senate for ratification.
If approved, Okiro will replace Parry Osayande who quit the job in April.
Sources close to the police said the appointment of Okiro for the job is the right choice President Jonathan has made.
According to one of the sources who pleaded not to be mentioned, “Okiro’s appointment is a good development for the police at a time Mohammed Abubakar is in charge as the Inspector General of Police. Both men worked together at the Lagos Police Command and they share the same vision.
“Okiro is an operational man who suggested that Niger Delta Militants are offered amnesty during the administration of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua. He will bring positive change to the police force.”
Okiro was born 24 July, 1949 in Oguta, Imo State. He was 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 Jos and an LLB.
He joined the Nigerian Police in 1972. The operational and command positions he occupied during his career 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 published a book titled Policing Nigeria in a Democracy.