Adedokun Waliyu 
President Bola Tinubu’s administration has designated March 5th as National Police Veterans’ Day, to be observed annually.
This approval was communicated in a letter to the Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), dated Wednesday, July 29, 2024, with reference number SH/COS/26/5/4/3320, which was obtained on Friday.
Signed by Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, the letter is titled: “Conveyance Of Approval. Re: Request For Approval To Set Aside 5th March Of Every Year As The National Police Veterans’ Day.”
The letter partly read: “Your letter Ref.: PSC/CHR/PRE/VOL.I/15 dated 7th March, 2024 on the above subject refers.
“You are kindly informed that His Excellency, Mr. President has approved 5th March of every Year as National Police Veterans’ Day.
“Please accept the assurances of my highest regards.”
In March 2024, President Tinubu pledged to promptly review the pension and severance packages for retired police officers to acknowledge their significant contributions and dedication to the nation.
He also announced that his administration would initiate the process to issue an Executive Order designating a day between March 5 and April 1 as National Police and Veterans’ Day.
He made these remarks during his address at the official launch of the Police Veterans’ Foundation, held at the Headquarters of the Police Service Commission in Abuja.
The President, who was represented by the Minister of State for Police Affairs, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, promised his full support for the Veterans’ Foundation.
He said, “As the President of our dear country, I will not only give my full support to the Veterans Foundation but will also ensure that such areas like improving the pension and severance package of retired police officers, are immediately reviewed to reflect the enormity of their contributions and commitment to our country.
“Also, administrative processes towards issuance of an Executive Order will be immediately initiated to set aside a day, perhaps, 5th March (being today, the launch of the Veterans’ Foundation) or 1st April (being the date that the hitherto existing police forces of Northern and Southern provinces were amalgamated to form a unified Nigeria Police Force), as National Police and Veterans’ Day in Nigeria.”
