ABAKALIKI- IT was indeed a homecoming for retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG Mbu Joseph Mbu last weekend as the people Etung local government area of Cross River state trooped out in large numbers to honour him after successfully serving his fatherland as a distinguished and high ranking officer of the Nigeria Police Force, NPF.
Joseph Mbu The event which took place at Etung Council Headquarters, Effraya, Cross River state was to demonstrate how he has positively impacted the lives of his people in the area of education, security and philanthropic gestures as many still wondered how he was able to combine his job as a police officer and his humanitarian services.
The people came out en mass, the young and elderly to honour him for his style of administration, principle and commitment to hard work.
The Chairman of the occasion, Elder Dr. Henry Egbe Ayuk, in his speech thanked God for granting the retired AIG a glorious service to the nation adding that the people of Etung would remain proud of him as he (Mbu) had always contributed to the well being of his people. “He served well and that is why people are coming around him; we want to urge those in offices to serve well because they will return to their people. Mbu is a worthy son of the soil who has assisted in giving out employment among others to his people.
We will remain proud of him”, he said Also, the Chairmen of Nigeria Youth Congress, and Etung local government area, Comrade Daniel Obo Jnr and Hon. Inok Kuti respectively stressed the need for Mbu to be celebrated considering his enormous contributions towards uplifting the living standards of Etung people. In his remarks, Mbu who was elated by the way and manner he was received by his people thanked God for the retirement and pledged to remain devoted and committed to the well being of his people.
Recounting his days in service, Mbu made it clear that he was never a corrupt officer but stood for truth, integrity and hard work. In an exclusive interview with Saturday Vanguard, Mbu urged police officers, to be transparent in the discharge of their duties and avoid any form of financial inducement. He argued that corruption was one of the factors that could impede the police from discharging their responsibilities to their country adding that any officer who does his work religiously would always be compensated by God and humanity.
“The younger officers coming behind me should be transparent because you cannot take money and then fight crime; if you take money, you have compromised.
But if you don’t take money and you remain committed, God knows how to compensate you and God has compensated me and I am happy the way I am”, he said He also called on Governors and local government Chairmen in the country not to see the monthly security votes given to them as their take home package but rather they should use it in supporting the police for optimum service delivery.
He further condemned calls in some quarters for the creation of State Police arguing that such development would lead to anarchy He said that his next aspiration in life was not to venture into politics but go into agriculture so that he can further contribute his quota to the main stay of the nation’s economy.
He further charged the youths of Etung to shun cultism and other vices capable to thwarting their progress and aspirations in life. AIG Mbu Joseph Mbu who was born 10th April, 1958 to Chief Simeon Mbu and Ara Agnes Mbu of Abia in Etung old Ikom local government area of Cross River State was the immediate past Commandant Police Staff College, Jos. He is a graduate of political science from the university of Lagos, Akoka and got many national and international awards during his years of service.
Mbu had also served in various police commands in the country including Rivers State as the Commissioner of Police where he had face-off with the then governor of Rivers State, Mr Rotimi Amaechi. Mbu is noted for his bravery, doggedness, resilience and opposition to every practice and principle that negates justice, fairness and equity.
VANGUARD
