IBB, EMIR, POLICE HAIL OKIRO AS HE PREACHES UNITY AT MINNA MOSQUE COMMISSIONING

Former Inspector-General of Police and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Mike Okiro, has called on Nigerians to embrace unity, religious tolerance and peaceful coexistence, saying the country’s diversity should be a source of strength and not division.

Okiro made the call during the commissioning of a renovated Juma’at Mosque at the Nigeria Police Secondary School, Minna, in Niger State, a project executed through the Sir Mike Okiro Foundation for Muslim students and staff of the school.

Speaking at the ceremony, Okiro said he decided to intervene after discovering that Muslim students had no decent place of worship within the school environment.

He urged Nigerians to rise above religious and ethnic differences, stressing that Christians, Muslims and people of other faiths must learn to live together in peace, understanding and mutual respect.

The former police boss also reminded students that religious tolerance means respecting the beliefs of others without hatred, discrimination or mockery, adding that schools should remain centres of unity and inclusion.

Okiro disclosed that he had earlier sponsored the construction of a Catholic chaplaincy within the same school in 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen interfaith harmony among students and staff.

Former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, later received Okiro and members of his entourage at his Hilltop Mansion in Minna and commended him for continuing to promote peace, security and national unity after leaving public service.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, represented by the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, described Okiro as a detribalised leader whose commitment to fairness, professionalism and mentorship continues to inspire officers across the country.

The Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago, Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, the Commandant of Police Secondary School, Haruna Ibrahim, and National Secretary of the Police Secondary School Old Students Association, Kingsley Omo-Ojie, also praised Okiro for promoting unity, religious harmony and national integration.

The event featured parade salutes by students, performances by the school band, inspection of guards and the conferment of the traditional title of Sarkin Haske of Niger State on Chief Mike Okiro.