Aleke Aleke in Abuja
Former Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, has stressed that experience remains a vital asset in tackling the increasingly complex security challenges confronting the nation.
Speaking at the unveiling of his biography, Giant Footprints, at the NPF Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, the former police chief explained that years of field exposure, institutional memory, and practical decision-making significantly enhance the ability of security operatives to anticipate, prevent, and respond effectively to evolving threats.
He said: “I appreciated that my privileged experience at the apex of the Force leadership could spur strategic actors within the internal security space to, through my lenses, understand and optimise the opportunities that the Nigerian policing ecosystem presents—especially at this crucial period in our national evolution, when rich knowledge and invaluable experience such as mine are vital assets for mitigating the complex and evolving national security and policing challenges the nation is grappling with.”
According to him, knowledge is power and experience is strength, adding that hoarding either is an unforgivable vice capable of weakening an organisation and a nation.
He noted that his life and career are woven with insights that can enrich understanding, particularly in law enforcement and internal security.
He expressed delight that he had fulfilled the core objective that inspired the biography—documenting and sharing his experiences to enhance professional knowledge.
The former IGP also expressed appreciation to the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor (Rtd), for writing the foreword to Giant Footprints.
He stated that the quality of leadership and professional cooperation that General Irabor fostered between the Military, Intelligence Community, Police and other security agencies during their overlapping tenures established a national security template worthy of reference and continuity in present discussions.
Alkali said the biography documents his life’s journey and policing experience to enrich national discourse on security and policing, and to stimulate policymakers, the law enforcement community, and researchers on the dynamics of internal security management and strategic police leadership in Nigeria.
He added that his modest life trajectory would inspire others to pursue their destinies, while also provoking constructive professional debates that could broaden the knowledge base not only within the Nigeria Police Force but across the wider policing family.
He expressed confidence that readers would find in the biography a practical repository of experience—one that would serve as a valuable companion for police officers and other law enforcement professionals seeking informed guidance as they navigate the demands and complexities of policing and internal security.
“Should my story help in this regard, I shall be fulfilled that I have attained the goals that inspired me in documenting it. If otherwise, I shall still be fulfilled that my biographies have opened new thoughts and stirred new debates that will inevitably enrich the discourse on policing, internal security, and strategic leadership in Nigeria,” he said.
In his remarks, the Special Guest of Honour, Vice President Kashim Shettima, said that the greatest tragedy for any public servant is to walk through the corridors of responsibility without leaving behind a record of that journey.
He lamented that, for decades, the failure of public officials to document their experiences had undermined institutional memory, forcing each new generation to begin afresh and navigate unfamiliar terrain without guidance.
Represented by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Vice President said: “We are a nation that has paid dearly for the inadequacy of mentorship. We cannot claim to be a society prepared for the future if we do not equip the younger generation for the tasks ahead. Documentation is indispensable in this regard. Experiences are not inherited; they are curated, narrated, and offered as guideposts.
The story of a public servant does not belong to him alone; he is entrusted with authority on behalf of the people and therefore owes them an honest account of his stewardship.
This obligation to narrate our journey is part of the accountability missing for far too long in the public space. When leaders keep quiet, history becomes distorted; when leaders speak, posterity gains clarity.”
Reviewing the book, renowned Professor of Criminology, Etannibi Alemika, said Giant Footprints is written in a very reader-friendly style.
He strongly recommended chapter four of the book, which discusses the former IGP’s timely strategic policing plan for the country.
The author of the book, Joseph Saater Undu, said the inspiration for Giant Footprints emerged in October 2022 during a six-day duty tour in which the then Inspector General of Police commissioned an unprecedented 198 completed projects.
These projects, he explained, included more than 120 ultra-modern police stations, renovated barracks, upgraded training facilities and other critical infrastructure aimed at improving welfare and operational efficiency nationwide.
He described the moment as a watershed in the history of policing in Nigeria—one that deserved deeper documentation.
He said: “Through Giant Footprints, I have attempted to capture the depth of Baba’s journey—from his early beginnings as a young officer to his rise to the apex of the Force. His story embodies resilience, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to duty. It offers valuable lessons not only to police officers but to all who aspire to lead with integrity and purpose.”
Expressing hope that the biography will inspire younger officers to build on Alkali’s legacy, strive for excellence, and surpass the standards he set, the author noted that the former IGP’s contribution to policing is bold, transformative, and permanently etched in Nigeria’s history.
