Former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has described his retirement thanksgiving service as a unique “triple celebration,” saying the date was deliberately chosen to coincide with key personal and national milestones.
Speaking during the thanksgiving service held at the RCCG Redemption Pavilion, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Sunday, March 29, Egbetokun said the occasion was intentionally fixed to align with the birthday of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and that of his daughter, Abimbola Egbetokun.
According to the former police chief, the addition of his retirement thanksgiving has now made March 29 a date of lasting significance in his life.
“Today is not just any day; it is a day I chose deliberately and with intention,” Egbetokun said.
“I chose today for my retirement thanksgiving service to coincide with the birthday of Mr President, a leader whom God has used in significant ways in my life.
“Today is also the birthday of my daughter, Abimbola Egbetokun. For me, therefore, this is not just a celebration, it is a triple celebration.”
He said the date would now remain a symbol of “remembrance, gratitude and testimony” in his personal journey.
Egbetokun used the occasion to publicly acknowledge President Tinubu’s role in shaping his life and career, describing the President as a long-time mentor whose influence had been pivotal.
He recalled that his first meeting with Tinubu in 1998 marked a turning point in his life, saying within 24 hours of that encounter, he experienced what he described as a “miracle of total transformation.”
“Within twenty-four hours of that meeting, something remarkable happened… It was the miracle of total transformation,” he said, noting that the experience fundamentally changed the course of his life.
The former IGP also expressed gratitude to Tinubu for the trust and confidence reposed in him over the years, beginning with his appointment as Chief Security Officer during Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State in 1999 and culminating in his appointment as Inspector-General of Police in 2023.
“My deep appreciation to him again, for the enormous confidence he placed in me,” Egbetokun said.
“I carried it with humility, discipline, a deep sense of responsibility and unwavering reliance on the wisdom and guidance of God.”
The thanksgiving service drew dignitaries, family members and close associates, serving as both a farewell to Egbetokun’s distinguished career in the Nigeria Police Force and a reflective moment on faith, mentorship and the milestones that have defined his public service journey.
