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For over three decades, an ultimate aim to diligently serve humanity as a law and order officer; a resolute determination to combat crime; and a zeal to maintain tranquility and social order have been the visible peculiarities of Mr. Ogbonna Okechukwu Onovo, O.O.N., N.P.M., nmi. Always exuding a great deal of vigor, intelligence, and profound commitment about his occupational activities, Mr. Onovo�s involvement in the law enforcement arena has, over the years, kept his mind active with innovations and contributions, which have either assumed monumental significance in the human society or have become a valuable law enforcement asset not only within his native country, Nigeria, but also in the global law enforcement arena. With a natural, deep-rooted penchant for high public safety standards and peaceful co-existence for all mankind, Mr. Onovo�s unparalleled dedication to the law enforcement profession, coupled with his exceptional patriotic spirit and humility have, on a constant basis, captured the hearts of the international community, his professional colleagues, as well as the government and body politic of his native country.
An indigene of Enugu State, Nigeria as well as the son of a law enforcement officer, Mr. Onovo was born on February 7, 1953. He received his secondary school education at Izzi Boys High School, Abakaliki and Mary Knoll College, Ogoja (both in Nigeria) between 1965 and 1972. Upon the successful completion of his high school education, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in the same year, from where he graduated in 1976 and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with International Relations as his area of specialization. With a firm determination to accomplish his life ambition, Mr. Onovo�s professional odyssey in the field of law enforcement commenced on August 1, 1977 with an enlistment into the officer cadre of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) at the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP). Subsequently, between 1978 and 1984, he was deployed to Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, Nigeria, where he served the police force in various leadership capacities including Divisional Crime Officer, Administrative Officer, Okrika Police Station; as well as Unit Commander, Second-in-Command to Squadron Commander, and substantive Squadron Commander of the Police Mobile Force in this zone. In the course of this service period, he was respectively promoted to the rank of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in January 1981 and to the rank of Superintendent of Police (SP) in October 1984, prior to his redeployment to Owerri, Imo State capital. Between 1984 and 1986, Mr. Onovo sequentially served as Divisional Crime Officer and Commander of Surveillance in Owerri before he was promoted to the rank of Chief Superintendent of Police and transferred to Lagos, where he assumed the post of Staff Officer in the Force Secretary�s Office in June 1987. In 1989, Mr. Onovo was elevated to the position of Assistant Force Secretary in the Force Headquarters, Lagos, and was subsequently bestowed with a promotion to the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police in March 1990. In 1992, he was posted to Edo State Police Command to serve as a Deputy State Police Commissioner (Second-in-Command) and, in 1994, to Adamawa State Police Command to serve in the role until his elevation to the substantive rank of Commissioner of Police (CP) in April 1997. As a Commissioner of Police, he headed the Ogun State Police Command until December 1998, when the federal government of Nigeria appointed him the Chairman/CEO of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
As the nation�s �Drug Tsar,� Mr. Onovo demonstrated exceptional ingenuity, uncompromising integrity, and crackerjack crime-fighting abilities in his efforts to eradicate global drug trafficking. Particularly, he engaged in a synergistic collaboration with his counterparts across the world to ensure that international drug peddling was ferociously combated and reduced to the barest possible minimum, if not completely eradicated. It was actually his dedicated efforts in combating international drug trafficking that prompted the U. S. Department of State�s 2000 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), issued on March 1, 2001, to disclose that � �Nigeria did take a significant step in November of 2000 by transferring into U.S. custody four fugitives wanted on serious narcotics and narcotics-related charges, including two who are on the President�s List of Significant Foreign Narcotics Traffickers under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act.� In this regard, Mr. Onovo was duly recognized by some foreign governments and international agencies for his outstanding accomplishments. From the NDLEA, he was deployed to the Police Academy in Kano as Commandant in May, 2000, and he served in this position until his subsequent promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in May, 2001. As an AIG, he headed the Research and Planning Department at the Force Headquarters and also served as Force Secretary until February 2002. Following another upgrade to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) in March, 2002, Mr. Onovo was initially designated the Second-in-Command to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) in the Force headquarters. However, between 2003 and 2006, another official reassignment of tasks placed him in charge of the Criminal Investigations Department, from which he was subsequently moved, in November 2006, to his present designation as the DIG in charge of Administration.
Apparently involved in law enforcement and public safety work throughout his career years, this dynamic senior police chief, outstanding achiever, circumspect, humble, and enlightened public servant has consistently discharged his official responsibilities with a remarkable degree of competence, professionalism, and extraordinary diligence. In his efforts to enhance his credentials and accomplish his professional goals, Mr. Onovo has attended several professional development or leadership training courses under the auspices of the Nigerian Police Force and other federal government and international agencies. These include the Cadet ASPs Course; Detective Course; Junior Command Course; Middle Management Course; Senior Management Course; National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Course; International Humanitarian Law Program in San Remo, Italy; as well as several other courses in Criminal Investigations.
Furthermore, by collaborating with his partners in the global law enforcement, intelligence, military, and diplomatic circles, Mr. Onovo has powerfully and positively influenced national and international campaigns dedicated to preventing or defeating various aspects of transnational organized crimes including drug trafficking, arms trafficking, money laundering, smuggling of cultural artifacts, terrorism, major frauds, white-collar crimes, etc. His series of publications, participation in numerous professional workshops, and his inputs at several national and international conferences, seminars, and symposia all combined to facilitate the achievement of this noble objective. Specifically, Mr. Onovo is credited with over eight publications and, since 1990, has variously and numerously delivered conference papers on a broad spectrum of law enforcement and public safety issues. While his literary works have continued to make significant impact on global crime investigations and prevention, Mr. Onovo has also continued to remain focused and engrossed in his career path by maintaining full memberships of a number of reputable professional organizations including the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP). In addition, since 1999, he has consistently participated in all Interpol General Assembly annual conferences, and had previously attended the United Nations Congresses on Crime respectively held in Vienna, Austria in 2000 and Bangkok, Thailand in 2004. It is significant to note that, in 2006, he served on a nine-member panel appointed to review the United Nations Protocol on Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Vienna; and, for three consecutive years from 2004 to 2006, he reserved the privilege to be the Chairman of the Technical Committee of West African Police Chiefs Organization (WAPCO).
As a result of his conspicuous intrepidity, dedication, and hard work in the law enforcement and public safety field, and for his personal sacrifices and outstanding contributions to the general welfare and safety of mankind, Mr. Onovo has received numerous awards, honors, and special citations at various times and from various sources. To mention some specific instances, he was bestowed with the honor of �Nigerian Security Watch Award� for being �an outstanding law enforcement administrator� (2007); National Honors Award � �Officer of the Order of the Niger� (O.O.N.) from the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (2006); �Letter of Commendation� from the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his �outstanding performances� (2006); �Distinguished Alumnus Award� from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, an accolade that reflects the reputation of superior intellectual and professional achievement (2002); �Commandant�s Leadership Award� from the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies - Course 25; �Special Commendation Award� from the United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) �for his meritorious contributions to the war against drugs� (2000); �Letter of Commendation� from Her Majesty�s Customs Services, United Kingdom of Great Britain �for his tremendous contributions to anti-narcotic smuggling� (2000); �Letter of Commendation� from the Yorkshire Constabulary, Leicester, United Kingdom of Great Britain �for his role in the arrest and prosecution of a fugitive drug baron for murder� (2000); �Spirit of Detroit� Medallion Award from Mayor Andy Coleman of Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. (1992).
In regard to philanthropic gestures, Mr. Onovo has also made tremendous personal sacrifices and substantial contributions to the socio-economic and medical welfare of humanity. To cite a specific instance, his natural benevolence, gross selflessness, and enthusiastic community spirit gave impetus to his single-handedly erecting, equipping, staffing, and maintaining a full-service medical facility designed to provide free medical care to the underprivileged and underserved indigenes of his home community. Beyond the periphery of his full-time police duties, Mr. Onovo also spends his leisure on quite a good number of hobbies. Among his favorite pastimes are reading; watching football and soccer games; listening to a variety of good music, and spending quality time with his nuclear family. Additionally, through his unfettered involvement in the affairs of the church, he devotes some of his leisure to the voluntary activities of his church fellowship, as well as to the recreational activities of the police community. Mr. Onovo is married to former Miss Mary Ede and their marital union blossomed over the years with the blessing of two children (a son and a daughter).
Reference: (1.) http://www.state.gov/p/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2000/893.htm[/b]
Posts: 3 | From: Washington, DC | Registered: Aug 2006
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