BY IDAHOSA MUSA

The immediate past Commissioner of Police in Edo State, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, has been honoured with the Excellent Leadership Award by the Edo State branch of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC).

CP Otimenyin, who recently concluded her tenure as Edo’s 49th Commissioner of Police, made history as the first female and the first Benin woman to occupy the position in the state.

The award was presented in Benin City by Dr Osagie Igbinosun, the PCRC Diaspora Patron, who noted that the recognition was in honour of her outstanding commitment to the protection of lives and property during her time in office. Dr Igbinosun, a United States-based medical practitioner, emphasised that CP Otimenyin’s leadership serves as an inspiration, particularly to young girls who may aspire to break gender barriers in male-dominated fields.

“The Edo indigenes in the Diaspora—across the USA, Canada, and beyond—present this Excellent Leadership Award to CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin in recognition of your historic and exemplary service as the first female Commissioner of Police in Edo State. Your contributions to the safety and security of lives and property in Edo and Nigeria at large are deeply appreciated. May God bless and protect you,” he stated.

In her response, CP Otimenyin expressed gratitude to the PCRC and Dr Igbinosun for the honour. She used the occasion to advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of the girl child.

“I’m very proud and grateful for this award. I’m proud to be a girl child, proud to be from Edo State, and proud to serve as a woman officer. This recognition shows that people see and appreciate what I’ve done, and that brings me joy.

“It is not the sex of a child that determines their worth, but the strength of their mind, the work they put in, and their level of commitment,” she said.

She also encouraged parents to stop discriminating against girls and to support their ambitions and development.

Dr Igbinosun was accompanied to the event by Pastor Ken Okungbowa, a member of the PCRC.