By Christopher Oji and Tony Osauzo, Benin
Former chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Parry Osayande (rted) has passed on barely a month after the death of another former chairman of PSC and Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase in Benin, Edo State.
He died yesterday in Benin City, a day before his 89th birthday.
His death was confirmed in a condolence statement released by the President of the Immaculate Conception College Old Boys’ Association (ICCOBA) Worldwide, Ighodalo Edetanlen.
The announcement, made on behalf of the association’s National Executive Committee, described Osayande as an “exemplary old boy” of the college, located in Benin City, the Edo State capital.
Titled “Condolence: DIG. Parry Osayande (retd),” the statement read: “The President, ICCOBA Worldwide, Ighodalo Edetanlen, on behalf of the National Executive Committee and the entire Old Boys of Immaculate Conception College, Benin City announce, with total submission to the will of God, the peaceful repose of an exemplary old boy, DIG Parry Benjamin Osemwegie Osayande (Rtd) earlier today at the age of 88 years.
“Born on September 29, 1936, his decades-long service to the Nigeria Police Force included high-level postings as Commissioner of Police in Benue and Cross River states.
Details regarding funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in due course.
Meanwhile, Governor Monday Okpebholo has described him as an exemplary icon of professionalism and patriot whose entire life was dedicated to the service of his community and the nation.
Governor Okpebholo noted that Osayande’s influence extended far beyond his operational duties, highlighting his role as a reformer and intellectual within the Nigeria Police Force. “Even in retirement, DIG Osayande continued to serve as a national asset, lending his immense experience to various presidential and police reform committees, where his dedication to restructuring the police for better service delivery was evident. He was a true son of the soil who championed the cause of Edo people in every capacity he served,” the Governor further stated.
In a separate statement, PSC Head, Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, said the Commission received the news of the death with shock. He described him as an erudite and consummate retired Police officer, who paid his dues as an exemplary personality and visionary Chairman of the Commission.
Osayande was appointed in April 2008 by President Goodluck Jonathan to succeed Chief Simon Okeke, pioneer Chairman of the Commission.
“His tenure marked rapid growth of the Commission, including the Presidential approval for a Corporate Headquarters for the Commission now standing in the Jabi District of Abuja. “Parry Osayande was fearless, focused, and had a Commanding presence, which gave the Commission a lot of mileage during its formative period.
“Chairman of the Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd), said the death of DIG Osayande was a great loss for the Commission. He called on Nigerians to remember the Commission in their prayers in this trying period of losing two of its former Chairmen within a month.”
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