RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE
The biblical axiom that “can any good thing come from Nazareth”, has in many fora, being practically implied to men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force. Not a few people have linked the conducts of policemen with the dark black uniform they adorn, believing no good thing can come from them.
As a result, the general believe is that all policemen are bad, corrupt, ungodly and evil incarnate.
Ironically, many a people failed to take cognisance of the fact that officers and men of the Nigeria Police are products of the society. No Policeman ever emerges from the moon, but parents, brothers, sisters and relations of all Nigerians. They have their orientation and different family background and upbringing from their respective homes before enlisting in the Force.
There exist fine and gentle officers and men in the Force. Those who are outstanding, those that dischage their duties with the fear of God. They remain untainted and inspite the enticement of wordly riches, they declined to be corrupted. They are tagged Police God’s Generals. They abound in all Units, Divisions, Commands, Formations, Zones and even at the Force Headquarters. They exhibit the trait of Christ in the discharge of their duties and are not part of those who bring odioum upon the image of the Force.
Like a golden fish that has no hidden place, these soldiers of God soon locate and fish themselves out, a for a union, propagation and evangelising for Christ through the formation of a goup tagged Christan Police Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN).
As the book of Matthew chapter 5 vs 15 says that ” No one lights a lamp and puts it under the table, but rather on the lampstand to give light to those in the house”, the proponents and propagators wasted no time in allowing the gospel to spread like a wildfire across the nooks and crannies of the Police Force.
Like one of the lepers cleansed by Jesus Christ, who knows the importance of giving thanks for appreciation, the leadership of the Fellowship thought it apt and wise, having counted their blessing, to thank God for sustaining the group thus far.
In celebration of the goodness of God in the live of the ministry, the leadership of CPFN rolled out drums, with all roads leading to the Christian Police Ministry at Police College, Ikeja, Lagos, on Saturday 12th April, 2025, where it held a colourful and epoc making celebration, marking its 25 years anniversary existence in Police College Ikeja, with National Maiden Award, Book Launch and handing over by the outgoing national coordinator AIG Abiodun Asabi Oladimeji (rtd) to his successor Commissioner of Police Emmanuel Ade Aina.
Eminent personalities which grace the occasion include DIG Agboola Oshodi – Glover (rtd), AIG James Caulcrick (rtd), AIG Asabi Oladimeji (rtd), CP Emmanuel Ade Aina, Commandant Police College/ chief host, CP Omolara Ibidun Oloruntola, Baale of Egan Town, Alhaji Fatai, chairman Alayomora CDA, Ota, several pastors and host of others.
In his goodwill message, the national patron of CPFN AIG Mike Daniel (rtd) gave insight into the reason for the formation of the fellowship.
According to him, the CPFN was formed with the soul aim to evangelise to a lot of people and make every policeman and woman, and their family to know Christ Jesus as their personal Lord and saviour so that they can make heaven.
” If you don’t know Christ as your Lord and savour, you will not make heaven. The objective, aim and focus is to win souls and to ensure that Policemen who know Christ take charge of affairs in their respective offices and duties. A policeman who knows Christ is better equipped to convert a colleague to know Christ. Inspite the situation in which we are in , we must allow God to take control of our lives and conducts in the discharge of our duties”, the retired Assistant Inspector General of Police quipped.
Also speaking at the occasion, the outgoing national coordinator AIG Asabi (rtd) applauded the steadfastness of the national patron AIG Daniel inspite of his old age, describing him a shining light of the Police Force.
He admonished the new leadership to continue to uphold and sustain the mission of the CPFN and ensure they remain a shinning light to the police community.
AIG Asabi, who leveraged of the question of “can any good thing come from the Police”, answered yes in the affirmative.
In his address, the Force Chaplain CSP Ven. Joshua lauded the efforts of the national executive officers for the feat in organising the beffing event.
Represented by the Chaplain of the Lagos State Police Command, CSP Ven. Ezekiel Ugbotor, the Force Chaplain hinted that the CPFN is the evangelical arm and a movement in the Nigeria Police Force under the Chaplaincy.
He noted that the founders of the Chaplaincy, since its advent, have being forthright, assuring that things would continued to be done with the fear of God.
” We have been working tirelessly to ensure that the movement in the Nigeria Police will continue to affect lives positively and i believe what we are celebrating today is one of the achievements of the Christian Police Fellowship and the Chaplaincy at large.
” We are encouraging everyone of us to keep praying for the Christian movement in the Police and we are still believing in God that he is taking us where he has destined us and the instrument which he will use to do that is we who are members of the Chaplaincy and the Christian Police Fellowship. As we work together in synergy, in pushing the work of God forward, i strongly believe the Nigeria Police Force will stand for Jesus. It is also our prayers that the leadership of the Nigeria Police will one day come from this fold”, the Chaplain postulated.
While delivering a sermon to mark the event, the guest preacher Evangelist Chidi Okafor emphasised the importance of genuine sacrifice to serve God wholeheartedly.
He urged the congregation to sacrifice their time, finances and all that is theirs in serving God almighty.
The chief host and Commandant of the Police College, Ikeja,CP Omolara Oloruntola in her welcome address remarked that there is great benefit in serving the Lord.
She appealed to all Christian officers and men, irrespective of their areas of posting to always identify with the Christian Police Fellowship and contribute their quotas to its growth.
In a chat with journalists at the occasion, the National General Secretary of CPFN DSP Olugbenga David Egunsola and co- convener of the event said he envisioned the CPFN to become a beacon of hope for christian police officers across Nigeria.
He said this would be achieved through initiatives like the Christian Police National Stakeholders Forum, which will bring together supporters, senior police officers, and civilians to encourage and facilitate growth within the fellowship.
DSP Egunsola, who also used the occasion which coincided with his birthday to launched his book titled “Christian Police Prevailing Strategies In Economic Hardship”, noted that the economic challenges facing the country and the world at large prompted him to write the book.
The Police God’s General emphasised that he aimed at encouraging Christian Police Officers to stay committed to their faith despite the difficulties they face.
He explained that the book provides strategies for prevailing in economic hardship while maintaining one’s integrity and faith.
Highlights of the occasion include the bestowing of a meritorious award of excellence on DSP Egunsola by the Christian Events Watch Magazine, ably represented by the publisher Mr. Felix Mbata and the Editor in- chief Mr. Tedunjaye Olugbenga Raymond.
The highlights also include the convering of CPFN Awards of outstanding performance on National Executive Officers, the Force Chaplain/ Command Chaplains, Senior Police Officers Fellowship Supporters, CPFN Appreciation Awards to pastors and members of the civilian community, notably the President of The Pentecostal Ministers Forum (PMF) and Presiding Bishop of Kings In Christ Power Ministries International Bishop Anthony Chidi.
It is important to emphasised that the occasion was a beehive of ecstasy, as the venue was spiced and electrified with sonorous, enchanting and captivating assorted gospel songs by the combined choirs of the CPFN.