Muyiwa Adejobi: I’m Unrepentant, Stubborn in Fighting Indecency, Corrupt Practices

The blue-blooded police spokesman is fearless, blunt, fun-loving and accessible. His love for the police stems from his childhood. Nigeria Police Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, talks about the widespread misconceptions surrounding the force, most notably the distrust and fear ingrained in society. Drawing attention to the global nature of this challenge, he reflects on the unfairness of public perceptions that tarnish the police, often due to frustrations with government actions. He explains how, despite the immense pressure and personal sacrifices of the job, including sleepless nights and strained personal relationships, his dedication to public service remains unshaken. Adedayo  Adejobi brings the excerpts

In your experience, what are the most common misconceptions the public has about the police force, and how have you worked to address or correct these misconceptions?

The major challenge is trust deficit, and it’s not limited to the Nigeria Police Force alone. Members of the public, all over the world have always had natural fear and trust deficit against the police and it’s a big societal problem. At times when you speak, people  doubt what you say. Trust deficit is a very great problem. Operating in a very hostile society, people transfer their problems, grievances and aggression to the police in most cases because the police is seen as a baby of the government.So they flog the baby, to flog the father. That’s just our own case, and it’s quite unfortunate. A professor who delivered the lecture at a program organised by the King Foundation and UNODC on accountability recently said, we expect the police that operates in a society to behave differently.The police is a reflection of the society. Considering so many parameters and variables, it’s always very, difficult to get an exceptional, police institution in such society. I’ve managed crises, particularly complaints against our members of the force. The demands of the job is enormous, and so I’ve had to make my personal phone number available so people can get across to me. In most cases, people don’t believe in our official numbers, and so they just want to talk to me , and that makes it very, very difficult. Recently, someone drew my attention to my gray hair and noted that it is because of the stress. My sleeping pattern has changed. The earliest I sleep  is 2 am. Even the Inspector General of Police sleeps around 3am- it’s quite unfortunate. When the IGP leaves the office, there is another office at his home where he continues to work. The job is demanding and challenging. As FPRO, people think you don’t have your private life. You are regarded as a public figure. I like to dance, but I can’t have a party or a loud ceremony, because  whatever I do, meaning will read to it. And so one, must be conscious of everything. We make sacrifices, to maintain the name, integrity, and reputation of the police.We deal with many critical issues daily,  some administrative challenges which sometimes involve correcting some erring  officers. Sometimes you step on toes of some senior officers, subordinates or colleagues who pick offenses at move to effect changes in maintaining a good image for the police. Once I am upright, within the confines of the law, modern policing values and dictates- there is nothing to be afraid of. As PROs and representatives of the police,we manage the image of the police. With so much duty on our on our shoulders, we have a lot to do.  I feel so sad when the public attempt to, or attack PROs for even coming to their aid. Many don’t understand that a PRO is even closer to them than any other any other person. PROs they suffer internal challenges in defence of the  public, yet the public they defend still attack them.  Where do you want them to run to? But we’re happy.

What is your relationship and that of other PROs with the Inspector General of Police?

 I have a robust relationship with my boss. We had PRO conference and workshop in Asaba recently, and IGP flew to Asaba to declare the event open. He was there almost all day and left in the evening. He’s interested in making sure we have better  engagements in the Nigerian police force. We are lucky to have him as father, mentor, leader, and our IGP.  I’ve seen cases of some PRO’s wanting to leave because of threats, abuse cyber-bullying, by the public who hide under pseudonyms. The IGP is supportive of the work we do and we support his vision for a professionally competent, compliant, service- driven and people friendly police. Because we have a lot of work to do,all the PROs are constantly adequately trained, and the IGP controls  their postings. As PROs, we feel the heat, but I’m always very happy to do this because I’ve spent many years of my service in Public Relations in the police force. I’m used to the system, seen the good, bad, and ugly.

What do you consider your biggest achievement so far?

My achievement is always to make sure that my IGP, or any IGP succeeds. This is my second term in office. I started with IGP Usman Alkali who tried his best. With the coming of IGP Egbetokun, we had a seamless transition. He retained all the staff, aides officers that worked with his predecessor in the office. Having been in the system and corridors of power in the police for a while, that is not common. He’s been so fantastic. I’m always very happy to do my job. And when it comes to fighting indecency, corrupt practices, I can be unrepentant and stubborn. I am not a perfect man, but in every indecency, there must be decency. I always say it with the pride that my parents were teachers. I grew up in the palace and they taught me values and our culture. It will be ridiculous to engage in certain things. I’m not a perfect man, but in every indecency, there must be decency.

 What do you think are the most common, misconceptions, you know, that the public have against the police and how have you sort of addressed this, or corrected these misconceptions?

Extortion. It’s annoying that some Nigerians make  uncomplimentary unguarded utterances, and believe that from the IGP downwards, we share money. It is unfair. These are criminal offenses, and if you go ahead to prosecute them, they will say the police are after their lives. Those denting the image of the police force are infinitesimal. Meanwhile, those good ones doing great things are not honoured. How will the IGP know what is happening in Anambra or in, Osun, Ogun, Adamawa  or Makurdi? It’s not possible. The Police force has structure and a chain of command. We are more than an agency, we are closer to the grassroots. Because a lot of people don’t understand the legal framework, existence of many laws, let alone the provisions of the law- hence the hatred towards the police.  A  video  went viral sometime with a policeman cautioning a dog owner asking for certificate of the dog. Many don’t know that every dog must be licenced, and every dog must hang his or her, identity card and certified anti-rabies. It is the law, but many don’t know. I buy five dogs.  I  have many dogs in my house and they are all licenced and certified anti-rabies. We have a very complex situation in Nigeria, but we shall get there one day.

What drives you to stay motivated in both your personal life and professional career?

 As a boy, my late father, a teacher loved the police. And so, almost all my siblings and our wives are in the police. The Adejobi clan is akin to the Nigeria Police Force family. Because of my father’s love for the police, he encouraged us to love the police, and  so we joined the police. I love the police. When I joined the police, I wanted to make impact. I am not an accidental public relations practitioner.I joined the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations in 2004 before I even joined the police in 2005. Public relations is my calling and what I love. I believe PR  can settle all issues in life-. societal, political, academic, and security issues. I know that people know me and people comment.Those who abuse online give me gifts when they see me. When I go shopping in Nigeria and outside the country,they tell me, ‘‘I abuse you on X formerly twitter, but I enjoy and love you. Can I give you a gift? Take this on me.’’ Many Nigerians love the police. If you hear about the hatred against the police in most cases, it is fake, not genuine. I am motivated to do more in this line and in a general police force.

 The demands of job can be very overwhelming. Considering the high-pressure nature of your job, how do you manage, you know, work life balance?

 I’m a social person. I like to party and attend events. Don’t forget. I see,  I read, I write write articles, go to the farm and ranch whilst still pursuing  my PhD. I multi-task. I don’t have time to travel. But when time permits, I got to see and spend time with my family. I also pray to God. If time permits, I go to church. Because I am from a Muslim background, if my people have functions, I join them. Same with festivals in my village-its what I have grown doing as a palace boy. I’m not a free thinker. I know there’s God. I’m a Christian, but I don’t hate any religion. When I close at night, I play tennis from 9;30pm till midnight at times. Tennis is my second wife.

What’s the best piece of advice that you’ve received that has impacted your career? 

Fear nobody but respect all. That is the advice father gave me before he died. I fear nobody, but I respect all. You cannot intimidate me. Another quote I live by is- in every indecency, there must be decency. It’s guides me you a lot. I also don’t take gifts from anybody anyhow. I’m averse to anyone who is unduly friendly. I’ll suspect you. My father was a king. I grew up in the palace. My father studied Yoruba literature, and he taught me so many things in Yoruba, before I went to study geology. An archaeologist, I am grounded in Yoruba culture and  traditions. I still embrace my moral values.

If you could change one thing about how people view the the Nigeria police and law enforcement, what would it be? 

Because we live in a pluralistic society like Nigeria, people tend to hate law enforcers. It’s a natural thing. If I could change one thing about how people view the police and law enforcement, it would be how we are perceived.