At a time when police image is at a very low mark in Nigeria, the law enforcers have received a rare positive light courtesy of one of their own Mrs. Catherine Ugorji whose exemplary conduct in peacekeeping operations in Mali has earned United Nations award.
It goes to make the point that not all policemen are bad.
Ugorji, a Chief Supritendent in the Nigerian police who is and serving with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), has been selected by the UN as one of two runners-up for the prestigious UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award for 2020.
The National Information Officer of the UN System in Nigeria, Oluseyi Soremekun, UN Police Officer, described her as Ugorji exemplifying the best of UN policing through both her words and actions.
Of the 1,300 UN policewomen deployed in UN peacekeeping operations, twenty-one were nominated for the award.
CSP Ugorji joined the Nigerian Police in 2003 and served as Criminal Investigator from the local to regional level, Child Protection Officer, Divisional Crime Officer up to Acting DeputyCommander of the Ogudu Police Division in Lagos.
The UN said 1,300 UN policewomen deployed in UN peacekeeping operations, twenty-one were nominated for the award and Chief Inspector Doreen Malambo of Zambia, serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), would receive the award which would be presented during a virtual ceremony presided over by Mr Lacroix on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Also, Luis Carrilho, UN Police Advisor, congratulated Ugorji for being chosen as a runner-up and described her leadership of “three Formed Police Units(FPU) in Gao” as remarkable having worked diligently to improve the living conditions of women police officers.
Carrilho said: “Catherine has introduced tactical operations that have been instrumental in reducing crime in the area, in support of the Malian security forces and the host population.
“In addition to this very demanding role, Chief Superintendent Ugorji has worked diligently to improve living conditions for women police officers so they can serve safely and with dignity.”
