It was an evening of deep emotion, gratitude, and celebration on Friday, November 21, 2025, as eminent personalities gathered at the Badminton Section of the Lagos Country Club to honour three distinguished police officers for their decades of exemplary, selfless, and patriotic service to the nation.
The event—hosted by Alhaji Kamal Akin Adarijo, former Chairman of the Badminton Section—celebrated the remarkable achievements of AIG Ishola Olanrewaju Olawale (psc, mni), CP Mustapha Abiodun Alamutu, and DCP Yomi Faniyi (Rtd.), all of whom were recognised for their discipline, integrity, courage, and unwavering dedication to national security. Although AIG Olawale was honoured in absentia, his outstanding contributions were acknowledged with resounding applause.
A Night of Tributes to Service and Patriotism
In his welcome address, the President of the Lagos Country Club, Mr. Oluwaloseyi Adewunmi, expressed profound gratitude to God and praised the honourees for embodying the highest ideals of professionalism and leadership. He commended them for their immense contributions to the safety and stability of communities across Nigeria, stressing the need for continuous training and adequate government funding for the police.
The ceremony drew royal splendour with the presence of His Royal Majesty, Oba Latif Oladimeji Egbeeyemi, the Ologba of Ogba Kingdom. In his remarks, the monarch described the honourees as “pillars of discipline and guardians of public trust.” He urged them to bring their wealth of experience into community policing, noting that effective collaboration between citizens and security agencies remains the best pathway to addressing contemporary security challenges.
Celebrating Lifelong Friendship and Professional Excellence
The host, Alhaji Kamal Akin Adarijo—a Lagos socialite, real estate investor, automobile dealer, member of the White House Gents of Nigeria, and an indigenous Awori son of Ogba—shared emotional reflections about his over 40-year friendship with the three officers. According to CP Alamutu, the friendship has endured because Kamal keeps only men of integrity around him. Also in attendance to grace the occasion was AIG Musa Kareem, the AIG Force Headquarters, Obalende, Lagos.
Alhaji Kamal explained that the event was conceived not only to honour their service to the nation but also to reassure them that society values their sacrifices. He emphasised the importance of encouraging retired officers to pass on their experience to younger generations.
In his words:
“I’m really happy for these men. Not many of those they started with are here today. They went, they saw, they gave their best. Even though challenges remain—as they do everywhere in the world—it would be unfair to ignore their commitment and sacrifices. Their efforts ensured that we sleep in peace and hustle across this country safely.”
He added that their friendship has been filled with debates, reconciliations, banter, and continuous encouragement toward nation-building.
Reflections from the Honourees
A major highlight of the night came when CP Mustapha Abiodun Alamutu and DCP Yomi Faniyi (Rtd.) took the microphone to share memorable moments from their careers. Their heartfelt stories drew laughter, applause, and admiration from guests, shedding light on both the challenges and triumphs of policing in Nigeria.
CP Mustapha Alamutu’s Message
The former Ogun State Commissioner of Police, who now serves as Director at the Office of the National Security Adviser (South-West), appealed for continuous public cooperation with the police:
“The police are not ghosts or spirits. We need your support and understanding to do our job successfully.”
He also called on the Federal Government to strengthen police training and technology-driven operations, stressing that Nigeria Police officers are among the most trained on the continent but require modern tools to match evolving criminal trends.
He expressed deep appreciation to the host:
> “Kamal and I have been friends for over 40 years. He wouldn’t remain close to anyone of questionable character. I thank him sincerely for this honour. Once a policeman, forever a policeman—we will continue to help keep our communities safe.”
DCP Yomi Faniyi’s Tribute
The retired officer, who last served as Commander of Area G Police Command, Ogba, praised his former boss, CP Alamutu, describing him as a leader who genuinely cared about the welfare and growth of his junior officers:
> “He challenges you to be the best version of yourself. He wants his officers to surpass him because he believes Nigeria will be better for it.”
As the Ẹkẹrin of Ogba, DCP Faniyi emphasised the importance of community collaboration, noting that information sharing is the backbone of effective policing.
A Night Rich With Laughter, Wisdom, and Hope
Guests at the event engaged the retired officers with questions on national security, to which they provided deep, experience-based insights. They reassured attendees that the government is working tirelessly to address Nigeria’s security challenges.
The President of the Lagos Country Club further thanked Oba Egbeeyemi for his generous contributions to the club and appreciated Alhaji Kamal for his consistent support—even after completing his tenure as Chairman of the Badminton Section.
> “Thank you, Alhaji Kamal. You have never turned your back on this club. Your generosity keeps the Section and the entire club functioning,” he said.
A Celebration of Service, Friendship, and Legacy
The ceremony ended on a warm and emotional note, with honourees expressing sincere appreciation to the organisers and reaffirming their commitment to continue contributing to community peace and national development—even in retirement.
Marked by elegance, camaraderie, royal presence, and heartfelt gratitude, the evening served as a reminder of the importance of honouring those who dedicate their lives to securing our nation. The legacy of these gallant officers will continue to inspire younger members of the Nigeria Police Force and the society at large.
