96-YEAR-OLD RETIRED POLICE OFFICER UNVEILS BOOK ON HISTORY OF POLICEWOMEN IN NIGERIA
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By Aishat Momoh. O.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, and Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, were among dignitaries who attended the unveiling of a book documenting the history of women in the Nigeria Police Force, authored by 96-year-old retired Deputy Commissioner of Police, Dame Stella O. Okuyiga.
The book, titled Origin of Police Women in Nigeria, was unveiled in Port Harcourt on Tuesday night, attracting government officials, captains of industry, serving and retired senior police officers, traditional rulers, civil society groups and representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association, the International Federation of Women Lawyers and the media.
Okuyiga, who hails from Okrika Local Government Area of Rivers State, was among the first 20 women recruited into the Nigeria Police Force in 1955. She retired from the force in 1996.
Speaking at the event, Disu said the book launch fulfilled a promise he made to the author after writing the introduction to the publication while serving as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.
He recalled meeting Okuyiga, popularly known as Mama, when she told him about her book and her desire to publish it. He said he subsequently kept in touch with her to inquire about the progress of the project and when it would be launched.
The IGP described the occasion as a celebration of courage, service and the pioneering women whose contributions helped shape the Nigeria Police Force.
He said the launch was particularly significant during the International Week of the Girl Child, noting that the occasion reinforced the message that a girl’s ambitions should not be limited by age or gender.
“The book launch made more meaning to the International Week of the Girl Child, which reminds us that the ambitions of the girl child cannot be constrained by childhood or by gender,” he said.
Disu noted that the women recruited in 1955 faced limited opportunities but demonstrated diligence, determination and resilience in navigating the challenges of policing at the time.
“The women who joined the force in 1955 had roles and opportunities limited by the realities of that time. The women officers showed diligence, determination and resilience to succeed, and it remains a lesson to remind every girl child that their dreams can become a reality,” he said.
He added that the pioneering officers deserved recognition for the legacy they left for subsequent generations of women in the force.
The police chief also stressed that achieving national security required more than policing, saying families, communities and law enforcement agencies must work together to promote discipline, uphold the law and maintain public safety.
Describing Okuyiga’s career as a journey of courage and enduring service, Disu said her generation ventured into largely uncharted territory and helped create opportunities for women in the institution.
In her remarks, Okuyiga expressed delight that her experiences had been documented for future generations.
The retired police officer said the publication would preserve her legacy and allow people around the world to learn from her experiences through libraries.
“This book launch today is an important day in my life because the book itself is there. But I still live my life. I still live on because this book will be in libraries all over the world and they’ll be reading it. So I’m so happy that with all that is happening today I will continue to live forever,” she said.
Reflecting on changes within the police force since her recruitment in 1955, Okuyiga said policing had become more challenging as a result of population growth and changing societal conditions.
“Policing when we came in and policing now is not the same now because the population has exploded. There are life changes,” she said.
Fubara, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, described the book as more than a historical account, saying it documented the courage, sacrifices and achievements of women who contributed to the development of the Nigeria Police Force.
He said their stories deserved to be preserved and passed on to future generations, adding that their contributions demonstrated that professionalism, discipline, courage and commitment to public service transcended gender.
The governor urged younger Nigerians, particularly women, to draw inspiration from the experiences of the pioneer officers and pursue leadership roles in law enforcement and other areas of national development.
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