Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has honoured retired traffic warden Anifa Bello Abiodun with the IGP’s Award of Recognition and cash support, following the public celebration that marked the end of her years of service on the streets of Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The recognition took place on Thursday at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where Disu commended Anifa for her professionalism, discipline, resilience and dedication to traffic management.
Her journey to the Force Headquarters began with an unusual retirement farewell in Abeokuta.
After 35 years of service, residents, motorists and well-wishers turned out with drummers and trumpeters to celebrate a woman who had become a familiar face on the city’s roads.
The images caught the attention of the Police leadership.
Disu said the affection shown to Anifa by the community demonstrated the relationship she had built with the people she served and showed what could happen when police personnel discharged their responsibilities professionally.
The IGP said Anifa’s conduct had earned her the affection of the community and, by extension, brought goodwill to the Nigeria Police Force.
He said the Force should not only summon personnel when they do wrong but should equally recognise those whose conduct brings credit to the institution.
But behind the celebration and recognition is a story of years of personal sacrifice.
Anifa recalled that in 2012, the demands of her job placed such pressure on her marriage that her husband asked her to choose between him and her career.
She pleaded with him to give her time.
While she worked in Ogun State, her husband lived in Oyo State and returned at weekends.
MUST READ: Presidents Tinubu, Macron Meet At Private Dinner In Paris
Anifa also recalled occasions when the demands of duty meant getting to her children late, crediting her family with supporting her through the years.
Her husband, who accompanied her to Force Headquarters, said he knew his wife was passionate about her job and performed it with diligence, joy and discipline, but never imagined that her commitment would attract such recognition.
Anifa’s retirement may, however, not mark the end of her contribution to traffic policing.
During the ceremony, Disu raised the possibility of inviting her back to Abuja to help train younger traffic wardens.
The IGP sought her husband’s support for the proposed role, which he readily gave.
For Anifa, 35 years of service have apparently done little to diminish her affection for the profession.
She said she loved her job and would choose to be a traffic warden again if given another opportunity in another life.
For the retired officer whose farewell on the streets of Abeokuta attracted the attention of the country’s highest-ranking police officer, the recognition at Force Headquarters brings a 35-year career full circle, from directing motorists on the road to being celebrated for the relationship she built with the people behind the wheel.
(Follow AIT News on WhatsApp, AfricaIndependentTV on YouTube, ait_online on Facebook and X (Formerly Twitter), and officialait on TikTok, Instagram and Threads)
(Editor: Ada Ononye)
