CSP OKOYE JOINS COLLEAGUES, FAMILY TO HONOUR RETIRED SP ALFRED OLUWIHE AT THANKSGIVING, RECEPTION
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Rita Onuoha
IRETE, IMO STATE – Friends, family members, serving and retired police officers, community leaders, and well-wishers gathered on Sunday to celebrate the successful retirement of Superintendent of Police Alfred Oluwihe (Rtd.), who concluded a distinguished 35-year career in the Nigeria Police Force.
The celebration began with a thanksgiving service at the Salvation Army, Irete Branch, in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State, before guests proceeded to a grand reception held in his honour. The event marked the end of a policing career widely described by colleagues and associates as one of dedication, professionalism, and faithful service to the nation.
Among dignitaries at the occasion was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ogbaku Police Division, in Mbaitolu L.G.A., Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Patrick Okoye, who joined fellow officers, community leaders, relatives, and friends in celebrating the retired officer's accomplishments.
Speaking during the reception, CSP Okoye congratulated SP Oluwihe on attaining retirement in good health after 35 years of service, noting that such a feat deserves gratitude to God and recognition from colleagues.
"I want to congratulate my friend and retired colleague SP Alfred Oluwihe for a successful service. It's a thing of joy that he has served and made his contributions. We are here to celebrate his retirement, and we give God the glory," he remarked.
He further observed that completing a full career in the Nigeria Police Force and retiring peacefully is no small achievement, considering the demanding nature of policing.
Colleagues who worked closely with the retired officer also paid glowing tributes to his character and professional competence.
Inspector Martina Emenyonu, who served with SP Oluwihe at Ogbaku Police Division, described him as a humble, intelligent, and diligent officer whose leadership positively influenced those around him.
"When you come to practical police work, give it to SP Alfred. He is humble, intelligent, and diligent officer. Working with him at Ogbaku Police Division as my superior has been a wonderful experience. We will all miss him, but for good, because it is not easy to do this job and retire strong, healthy and successfully," Insp. Martina Emenyonu said.
Community leaders also used the occasion to acknowledge the retired officer's service to the nation while praying for God's continued blessings upon his family.
President-General of Mbano Agwa Autonomous Community, Chief Chibuzor Onyema, expressed appreciation to God for granting the celebrant a peaceful retirement after decades of public service.
"I am here to thank God and celebrate with my elder brother and retired senior colleague, SP Alfred Oluwihe (Rtd.), for 35 years of serving in the Nigeria Police Service and has retired home to enjoy with his family and friends. So, I wish him well and those of us that are still serving that God should grant us the same grace," he said.
Similarly, the Chairman of Umuekpu Development Union, Hon. P. Eze, described the retirement as a source of pride not only for the Oluwihe family but also for the Umuekpu community and Agwa people.
"SP Alfred Oluwihe is our own. And we are here to celebrate God's blessings and strength with him and family. This is not a mere feat.
35 years retirement in the Nigeria Police comes rarely, but today, God has done it for him and us the people of Umuekpu and Agwa at large. I pray for God's protection, favour and health as he lives on this new experience," Eze remarked.
For members of the Oluwihe family, the celebration represented a moment of thanksgiving after decades of commitment to national service.
Hon. Steven Oluwihe, younger brother of the retired police officer and the NDC Oguta State Constituency 2027 election candidate, expressed gratitude to God for preserving his elder brother throughout his policing career.
"God has done it for us. I am the last born from the same parents to the celebrant. I am so much happy and the entire family can't thank God enough for doing this for us," he said.
Responding to the goodwill messages, an emotional SP Alfred Oluwihe attributed his successful career and peaceful retirement entirely to God's grace.
He said being alive to celebrate retirement after serving as a police officer was one of the greatest blessings of his life, acknowledging the risks associated with the profession.
"I want to give God all the glory for this. My wife, children and brothers have been there for me all these years of service. In fact, today is one of the joyous days in my life. I am celebrated alive as a retired police officer, not dead. God has been my anchor and I thank Him," he said.
The retired officer also appreciated the numerous friends, associates, and colleagues who supported him throughout his career, noting that although he could not mention everyone present, he remained deeply grateful for their encouragement.
"To express my thanks, I have a long list of names to appreciate that I may not remember right now but can do it later. Chief Sir Prof. G. Obodo, CSP Patrick Okoye, Mr. Lambert Onwuka, Barr. Joseph Elumezie (Ade), amongst others were wonderful people," he concluded.
SP Alfred Oluwihe was recruited into the Nigeria Police Force on June 1, 1991, and officially retired on June 1, 2026, after attaining the statutory age for retirement, bringing to an end 35 years of service to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Throughout his career, he served in different capacities within the Force, contributing to law enforcement, public safety, and the protection of lives and property. His retirement was widely viewed by colleagues as a testament to discipline, resilience, and commitment to duty.
The thanksgiving and reception drew serving and retired police officers, traditional and community leaders, family members, friends, political associates, and well-wishers, who celebrated a career they described as honourable and impactful while wishing the retired officer many years of good health and fulfilment in retirement.
