Kunle ADELABU
Mr Yusuf Gbadebo, the representative of Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, SP Godfrey Soriwei, the honoree, Mrs Soriwei, wife of the honoree, CSP Peter Gana, Commander, Lagos SARS and DSP Rotimi Ogunmuyiwa, the new Commander, SARS Ikorodu at the send forth ceremony organized by O’Gunju Security Limited in Ikorodu in honour of SP Godfrey Osiwerie, former Commander, SARS Ikorodu on Saturday
The immediate past Commander, Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Ikorodu, Superintendent of Police (SP) Godfrey Sowerei, has been honoured with special recognition for his outstanding contributions to security in Ikorodu.
He was honored alongside other people at a special ceremony organised by O’Gunju Security Limited at the Ikorodu Local Government Secretariat hall in on Saturday, June 8, 2019.
Other honorees were Chieftain of Onyabo Vigilance group, Mr Lanre Olabinjo who was recognized as the best security man of the year and Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Wasiu Adeshina who was awarded the best Chairman of the year.
Also recognized for their contributions to security development in Ikorodu division were Adeseye Solomon Badru, Alhaji Waliu Olanrewaju Oloto, Otunba Kamorudeen Lamina, Adeniran Olagunju, Azeez Omotayo and Emily Nwokeduko.
Ten officers of the SARS in Ikorodu were also honured with awards for effective policing of the Ikorodu metropolis. They were ASP Abudu Yekinni, ASP Efosa Eboigbe, ASP Gbeleyi Adebayo, Inspector David Falaju, Inspector Edet Onen, W/Inspector Adaeze Christopher, Sergeant Friday Elom, Inspector Ayodeji Oladiti, Sergeant Ademola David and ASP. Adekunle S. Alasopupo.
Mr Olagunji Olusola (Jpil.), the Managing Director, O’Gunju Security Limited, in his speech, stated that SP Sowerei was being celebrated for his contributions to security and human development in Ikorodu .
“Today, we are celebrating a man of honour; we are celebrating a man that contributed immensely to Ikorodu in term of security and human developments.
Representatives of the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, HRM Oba Semiudeen Kasali and other dignitaries presenting special recognition award to SP Godfrey Osiwerei (3rd l) on Saturday
“We are celebrating a man that did not only handle his brief excellently, but also knows how to defend a common man.
“SP Godfrey Sowerei is a man that is honest, hardworking, upright and committed.
“He has changed so many lives positively in the cause of his work and today, O’Gunju is celebrating him and others that have been contributing to the development of security in Ikorodu and making lives and properties secured.
CSP Peter Gana, Commander, Lagos SARS, stated that SP Osiwerei is a dedicated officer who faced daunting security challenges in Ikorodu and faced it headlong.
“We have conceived many ideals together and each time I called him, no matter the hour of the night, he had always answered.
‘‘He has never embarked on any operation without informing me, not minding the fact that he operated with some level of independence and autonomy. He carried me along in everything that he did.
L-R, Hon. Omotayo Awolesi, theMajority Leader, Ikorodu LG Legislative arm, Hon. Banwo Azeez, a police officer, DSP Rotimi Ogunmuyiwa, Commander, SARS Ikorodu, CSP Peter Gana, Commander, Lagos SARS, Mrs Osiwerei, SP Osiwerei, Mr Yusuf Gbadebo and Chief Jelili Sanni, the representative of Adeboruwa of Igbogbo
“Let me assure you that we (SARS) will do more in Ikorodu. We won’t just allow all these legacies go by. We are going to build on the legacies and structure that he has established in Ikorodu and take it to a greater height by the grace of God.
“I enjoyed working with him and I have being to Abuja to complained that it’s not yet time for him to go because we still need more of his services in Ikorodu but we have been assured that they are going to bring him back”.
The state SARS Commander described the sendforth ceremony as one of the good rewards for a good officer on earth.
While commending SP Osiwerei’s wife for her sacrifices and endurance as a police officer’s wife, CSP Gana also enjoined SP Osiwerei not to change his attitude.
Mr Lanre Olabinjo, Onyabo chieftain (3rd left) receiving a special recognition award from CSP Peter Gana (3rd right) and SP Godfrey Osiwerei. With them were Mr Olagunju Olusola (Jpil) (2nd right), Hon. Banwo Azeez (right) and Hon. Omotayo Awolesi (left)
“SP Godfrey, please, I want to admonish you that you should not change. It’s too late for you to start doing anything for money because you have never done anything because of the money in it.
“Everything that has been stated here is because of your good act. It is the seeds that you sowed that have germinated and bearing good fruits. Don’t change but continue in the way that you have been doing.
He disclosed that he never received any negative report about SP Osiwerei throughout the five years that he was incharge of SARS in Ikorodu.
“If anyone complain about him my answer was always that he could be him (SP Osiwerei). Although, he stayed here, I have never received a single negative report about him. Continue to do whatever the law says, it is only the law that you are accountable to”.
Chief Jelili Sanni, the representative of HRM Oba Semiudeen Orimadegun Kasali, the Adeboruwa of Igbogbo, also commended SP Sowerei for his dedication and commitment.
“Ikorodu has witnessed the best of SP Godfrey in his handling of criminals and he did his job with honour.
“He has impressed all the traditional rulers in Ikorodu division and we are all proud of him.
“He was diligent, committed and dedicated to crime-free Ikorodu.
Hon. Wasiu Adeshina, Chairman, Ikorodu Local Government, commended SP Godfrey for his outstanding security work while incharge of Ikorodu SARS.
The Council Leader, Ikorodu Local Government, Hon. Isa Salman Ayobami, commended O’Gunju Security Limited for honouring SP Godfrey and others that are contributing to security development in Ikorodu.
The leader, who was represented by the Majority Leader, Hon. Omotayo Awolesi, while commending the outgone Commander, also charged the new SARS Commander to emulate SP Godfrey in tackling militancy , kidnapping and other crimes in Ikorodu.
O’Gunju Security Limited listed the arrest of militants/kidnappers, cultists and armed robbers with many arms and ammunitions recovered, facilitating of arms surrendering by militants and cultists that are terrorizing Ikorodu and environs, rescuing of kidnapping victims, recovering of guns and boats from militants and effective monitoring of the creeks as some of the challenges 2SP Sowerei’s achievements as Commander of SARS in Ikorodu.
Others were ensuring smooth working relationship with sister security agencies and the community and tackling of Badoo challenge.
