The Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Mr Adegoke Fayoade, said initiatives such as the Sanwo-Olu Care for Police helped enhance officers’ performance at work.
Fayoade said this during a free eye screening and distribution of corrective lenses for officers of the Nigerian Police Zone 2 Command on Friday in Lagos.
He expressed excitement about the initiative, noting that he had only discussed the project with Mr Hassan Adekoya, Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation and Logistics, a few days earlier.
“I am excited and very happy because I never expected this could happen so soon.
“I discussed this project with the special adviser about three or four days ago, and today it has become a reality.
“The special adviser informed the governor, it was approved, and he brought his team to provide medical assistance, free glasses, and vital medical tests for more than 1,000 officers and men of this command,” he said.
Fayoade expressed appreciation to the Lagos State Government for the gesture.
“I sincerely thank the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for deeming it necessary to care for the health of police officers,” he said.
He said the initiative was important because healthy officers would be able to carry out their duties effectively.
“Our work is demanding, and support like this greatly enhances our performance on duty.
“You could see from the reaction of my officers and men that they were very happy. We thank the governor sincerely.
“We are also most grateful to Mr Hassan Adekoya, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation and Logistics, for bringing this opportunity to us,” he said.
Fayoade disclosed that after seeing a similar initiative organised for the Lagos State Police Command, he approached Adekoya to extend it to Zone 2.
Responding, Adekoya said the initiative was part of the Lagos State Government’s social intervention efforts aimed at supporting the welfare and operational readiness of security personnel working in the state.
He added that the second phase of the Sanwo-Olu Drivers Care Initiative would commence soon.
One of the beneficiaries, Mr Bolaji Sanni, a Superintendent of Police, said his eyes were very important to his work as an administrative officer.
“I work with a computer, receiving and responding to messages. I am very happy to receive these glasses because the computer’s rays affect my eyes.
“I appreciate the government for this gesture and urge them to keep up the good work,” he said.
Sanni added that the glasses would help preserve his sight.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that the Sanwo-Olu Care Initiative began with drivers and had since been extended to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Nigerian Police.
The exercise attracted a large turnout of officers who underwent eye examinations and received free prescription glasses.
