The former Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun rtd, has revealed that three personal prayers shaped his leadership after he assumed office of the IGP in 2023 till he retired last month.
Egbetokun made the disclosure yesterday Saturday in Abuja during a retirement thanksgiving service held in his honour at the Force Headquarters Chapel.
The event also featured the inauguration of the Nigeria Police Force Chaplaincy edifice and was attended by senior police officers, clerics and worshippers.
Speaking at the service, Egbetokun said his first moments in office were spent in prayer, asking God for wisdom to lead, grace to finish well and divine guidance not to remain in office beyond God’s appointed time.
“I was not expecting the appointment when it came. The first thing I did when I entered the office alone was to pray,” he said.
“My first prayer was for wisdom to run the office, the second for grace to end well, and the third not to stay a day longer than God permits. I believe God has answered those prayers, and my prayer for everyone here is that God answers whatever you ask of Him.”
Reflecting on his career in the Police Force, the former IGP said faith had played a central role in his journey since graduating from the Nigeria Police Academy.
According to him, his life and career are filled with testimonies that would be difficult to fully document.
Egbetokun also revealed that before joining the police, he once had a dream that suggested he would rise to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General rather than become the nation’s police chief.
“In the dream I saw myself in a police staff car with the registration number NPF02, so I believed I would become a DIG,” he said.
He noted that the experience taught him that God sometimes conceals greater plans from individuals.
The former police chief said his deep passion for the force influenced his conduct throughout his years of service.“I knew whatever I did would affect the image of the force,” he said.
“So I made it my duty to remain professional and uphold integrity, transparency and fairness.”
In his remarks, the Force Chaplain, Joshua Omoyele, commended Egbetokun for completing the police chaplaincy building project during his tenure.
Omoyele said the former Inspector-General of Police had demonstrated commitment to Christian service long before his appointment as police chief.He added that Egbetokun’s record as Commissioner of Police in Kwara and later as Assistant Inspector-General in Zone 7 reflected his dedication to duty.
The chaplain also credited him with initiating the Nigeria Police Force annual Christmas Carol and expanding its national visibility.