Ex-IGP Okiro builds church in Niger, says no one can pay back to God

Former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Mike Mabama  Okiro, has urged Nigerians to love one another irrespective of religious beliefs or ethnic background in order to enhance undiluted development in all aspects of human endeavours.

The former IGP gave the advice while commissioning a Catholic Church he built and a student dining hall at the Police Secondary School in Minna, Niger State Capital, on Saturday.

Okiro, who also celebrated his 76th birthday anniversary at the Police Secondary School, Minna, after the commissioning of the Catholic Church,  with some members of his family, friends, and associates from far and near, said while no one can pay God back, he just wanted to appreciate Him for the numerous things done for his family. 

“This is an act of giving back to God out of numerous things given to me and my family members freely.

“No one can pay back to God what he has done in our lives for free, you can’t build, cook food for God to eat nor buy a car for Him to drive, the building of the Church and have it to the Police Secondary School Minna as a a place of worship is a legacy worthy of emulation by Nigerians. I built a Mosque in Jos, Plateau State, when I was a Police Commissioner in the North Central state of the country,” he said.

“I believe in oneness devoid of religious bigotry,” he said, adding that Nigeria has gone a long way living together as brothers and sisters, “it is time we embrace one another for our nation to prosper.”

In his address at the occasion, the Commandant of Police Secondary School, Minna, CSP Haruna Ibrahim, appreciated the former IGP for his contributions to humanity and God, particularly to him for choosing to celebrate his 76th birthday ceremony with the students and staff of the School.

“It is not easy to locate somebody like the former IGP,  Okiro, who, as a Christian, built a Multi-million Naira Church and a Mosque for people here in Minna, Niger State capital, and Plateau State. This is worthy of emulation by both the young and older people,” he said.

CSP Ibrahim pointed out that three of former IGP Mike Mabama Okiro’s (Rtd) children: a medical doctor, a pilot based in Canada, and an Engineer, graduated from the school, stressing that this is an honour for giving back to the school.

The Commandant added that “the school has realised well over N15 million to build Dr Mike Okiro’s boys’ hostel.”

Responding to his kind gesture, the Catholic Bishop of Minna, Most Rev’d. Dr. Martins Igwe Uzoukwu thanked Dr. Mike Okiro for making the two popular religions proud of him, and prayed for more wisdom and guidance in Okiro’s endeavours.

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