- Safiu Kehinde
Former Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Parry Osayande, has died at the age of 88.
Osayande who was born on September 29, 1936, passed away on Sunday at Benin, Edo state’s capital, few hours to his 89th birthday.
The demise of the former Commissioner of Police in Benue and Cross River states also came barely a month after the death of former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Solomon Arase.
While confirming Osayande’s passing, the PSC in a statement issued yesterday by its Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, described the development as shocking.
The PSC hailed its late former chairman, who served from 2008 to 2013, as a fearless and focused leader with commanding presence.
It noted that Osayande’s tenure was marked by rapid growth, including the Presidential approval for a corporate headquarters for the commission.
“The Police Service Commission has received with shock the news of the death of its former Chairman, DIG Parry Osayande, an erudite and consummate Police Officer who paid his dues as an exemplary police officer and visionary chairman of the commission.
“DIG Osayande succeeded Chief Simon Okeke, who was the pioneer Chairman of the commission. Osayande was appointed in April 2008 by President Goodluck Jonathan.
“His tenure marked rapid growth of the commission, including the Presidential approval for a corporate headquarters for the commission now standing in the Jabi District of Abuja.
“DIG Parry Osayande was fearless, focused, and had a commanding presence, which gave the commission a lot of mileage during its formative period”. The statement read.