The immediate past Inspector General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase, is fast adjusting to life after retirement, saying as part of his future plans, he would like to write books and possibly, lecture.
Mr. Arase, who disclosed this shortly after a reception held in his honour on Saturday in Benin, the Edo State capital, also described life after active service as very relaxing.
Appointed Nigeria’s 18th indigenous IGP on April 21, 2015 the Oredo-born cop retired meritoriously on June 21, 2016 after clocking the mandatory retirement age of 60 and serving in the force for about 35 years.
Speaking during the reception in his honour, Mr. Arase prided himself as an academic, saying “I will write books, I will rest and do humanity work. I want to spend the rest of my life touching the lives of the less privileged people within my community”.
“I will sit down to write some books, develop protocol for security sector reforms and if I have an opportunity to teach, I will teach. I like teaching; I like talking”, he added.
Arase, who described the process of tackling security challenges in the country as a marathon and not a sprint, noted that the Federal Government was on course, with its current efforts at addressing the issue.
He said, “It is a gradual thing. It is not a sprint; it is a marathon. When you want to deal with security situations, it is a gradual thing and I think we are on course in the country.
“I have been a policeman for 35 years. I will always remain a policeman and I will always do anything that I can to enhance the policing culture”.
While expressing appreciation for the support received during his time as I-G, he pledged his support to the police in order to advance peace and security across the country.
“I am humbled and grateful that my people have found me worthy to be so honoured in this way”, he said.