By George Ozalla
Former Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (Rtd), has commended former Inspector-General of Police and former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Chief Mike Mbama Okiro, for his commitment to religious harmony and peaceful coexistence following the renovation of the Juma’at Mosque at Police Secondary School, Minna.
The commendation came during a closed-door meeting with Okiro and a few members of his entourage at Babangida’s Hilltop Mansion in Minna shortly after the commissioning of the mosque at the school.
Earlier at Police Secondary School, Minna, the inauguration of the renovated Juma’at Mosque drew senior police officers, traditional rulers, old students, government officials and other invited guests. The project was carried out through the Sir Mike Okiro Foundation as part of efforts to improve worship facilities within the school environment.
The ceremony opened with an inspection of guards mounted by students, followed by parade salutes and a performance by the school band before guests proceeded to the mosque for its formal commissioning.
Speaking at the event, Okiro said the intervention came from concern over the condition of worship facilities available to Muslim students and staff in the school.
He said, “When I saw that our Muslim brothers and sisters in this school had nowhere decent to pray during school hours, my conscience would not let me walk away.”
“We all worship the same God. What binds us together is greater than what divides us.”
Okiro said religion should not become a source of division, stressing that faith must reflect in tolerance, understanding and service to humanity.
He said, “The only way to defeat hatred and alienation is through deliberate acts of trust. Building this mosque is one of those acts. It says we must refuse to let the actions of a few define our relationship with our neighbours.”
Addressing students of other faiths, Okiro urged respect for diversity within the school community.
He said, “To Christian students and to students of other faiths or no faith, I ask you to see this mosque as part of our shared school. Religious tolerance does not mean you must agree with every belief. It means you respect the right of others to hold their beliefs without fear or mockery. In a school, your job is to learn together. You cannot learn together if you live in fear or suspicion.”
He also called on Nigerians to embrace unity above religious sentiment.
He said, “I want Nigerians to put aside their religious differences and accept Nigeria as one. Everybody should be one as we serve the same God.”
Okiro recalled that he had earlier sponsored the construction and inauguration of a Catholic chaplaincy within the same school in 2025, noting that both interventions were aimed at strengthening interfaith understanding among students.
According to him, no child should be excluded on account of religious belief, adding that national stability depends on values of unity and tolerance instilled early in life.
After the commissioning, Babangida described Okiro as a dedicated officer who has continued to contribute to peace and national cohesion long after leaving public service.
He said, “He served this country meritoriously and he is still energetic in promoting peace, security and unity across Nigeria.”
He added that Okiro’s disposition and ability to relate across religious and ethnic divides remain important qualities for national cohesion.
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, represented by the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, described Okiro as a father figure whose leadership continues to inspire serving and retired officers.
The Emir of Minna, Alhaji (Dr) Umar Farouk Bahago, also commended Okiro for what he described as a clear demonstration of unity and national integration, noting that the country requires more leaders committed to bridging divides.
The Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, urged citizens to embrace tolerance and shared humanity irrespective of background.
He said, “Nobody chooses his faith, race, or where to be born or reside. God makes us who we are today. What we should do is celebrate each other and see ourselves as one family.”
The Commandant of Police Secondary School, Minna, Haruna Ibrahim, described the mosque project as faith in action, noting that such interventions help promote harmony within school communities.
The National Secretary of the Police Secondary School Old Students Association, Kingsley Omo-Ojie, said the association engaged Okiro after observing the condition of the mosque following his earlier intervention on the school’s Catholic chaplaincy.
According to him, Okiro approved support for the remodelling of the mosque alongside construction of an ablution facility, strengthening the school’s culture of inclusiveness.
The event also featured the conferment of the traditional title of SARKIN HASKE of Niger State on Okiro. The ceremony also included an inspection of guards mounted by students, parade salutes and a performance by the school band before guests proceeded to the mosque for the commissioning.
