Ehindaro made the call on Monday at a public lecture organised by the Police Veterans Foundation to mark the first anniversary of the death of its founder and former Inspector-General of Police, Dr Solomon Ehigiator Arase.
The lecture, titled “Policing Good Governance and National Development: The Strategic Role of Police Veterans in Building Security,” focused on the contributions retired police officers can make to national security, good governance and community policing.
Ehindaro said police veterans possess a wealth of professional experience that should not be lost after their retirement from active service.
According to him, retired officers can contribute to national development as mentors, advisers, trainers and intermediaries between the police and members of the public.
He also identified community policing as an area where police veterans could make significant contributions, noting that their years of service had given them practical knowledge of community relations and the importance of building public trust in the police.
“Retirement from active service will not mean retirement from national service,” Ehindaro said.
He described the late Arase as a visionary and compassionate police officer who was concerned about the welfare of serving personnel as well as the challenges confronting retired police officers.
Ehindaro recalled that Arase’s concern for police welfare culminated in the establishment of the Police Veterans Foundation, saying the initiative provided a platform for addressing the needs of retired officers.
He also expressed confidence that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would support efforts to improve the welfare of police veterans, recalling the President’s support for the police during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State.
The former IGP further stressed the connection between security and good governance, saying no country could achieve sustainable development without adequate security.
He explained that security went beyond combating crime to include the protection of lives and property, human rights, institutions and the rule of law.
“Policing good governance begins with policing itself, according to the highest standard of professionalism, integrity and accountability,” he said.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Police Veterans Foundation, DIG (rtd.) Yesufu M.A., mni, NPM, CIOD, called for stronger institutional support for retired police officers and the foundation established by Arase.
Yesufu said the occasion marked the first anniversary of Arase’s death on August 31, 2025, describing the late police chief as an exceptional officer whose contributions to the Nigeria Police Force extended beyond his tenure as Inspector-General.
He recalled that Arase was appointed the 18th Inspector-General of Police in April 2015 and retired in June 2016 after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.
According to him, Arase later served as Chairman of the Police Service Commission, where he continued to contribute to police reform and welfare.
Yesufu said Arase joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1981 and rose through the ranks while acquiring several academic qualifications, including LL.B, LL.M, B.L., M.Sc. and a doctorate degree.
He also highlighted Arase’s international service under the United Nations in Namibia and his role as Principal Staff Officer to three Inspectors-General of Police between 2002 and 2009.
The Board chairman said Arase began discussions with like-minded officers on improving the welfare of retired police personnel while serving as Chairman of the Police Service Commission.
Those efforts, he said, eventually led to the establishment and official launch of the Police Veterans Foundation on March 5, 2024.
However, Yesufu expressed concern that Arase did not live long enough to witness the full development of the foundation.
He appealed to relevant authorities to support the foundation by considering the establishment of a Veterans Affairs Department at the Force Headquarters, similar to structures available for retired personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He said such a department would provide a structured platform through which retired police officers could access government programmes and support.
Yesufu also called for the inclusion of police veterans in the annual National Police Day celebrations held on April 7, saying the initiative would give retired officers a greater sense of belonging and provide an opportunity to showcase their contributions to policing and national development.
He noted that the Nigerian Legion had received government financial commitments and other forms of support, arguing that police veterans and their foundation should receive similar recognition and institutional backing.
The chairman further announced the appointment of three eminent Nigerians as honorary members of the Police Veterans Foundation: Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno; Professor Etannibi Alemika; and Mrs Agharese Arase.
Their investiture was scheduled to take place during the ceremony.
Yesufu urged friends, well-wishers and others who shared Arase’s vision to support the foundation, stressing that his vision should survive beyond his death and continue to benefit retired police officers for generations.
He described the foundation as a vehicle for preserving Arase’s legacy and improving the welfare of police veterans across the country.
