05/09/2021
MEET CSP OYIN FRANCES SOA - THE WOMAN CHANGING THE NARRATIVES OF THE NIGERIAN POLICE FORCE
In commemoration of The International Day of Charity, we celebrate a woman of honor and charisma; CSP Oyin Frances SOA who is currently the Officer in Charge of Human Rights at SCID, Panti, Yaba. She has served in different parts of the country where she faithfully discharged her legal duties and left marks that are worthy of note. CSP Oyin is a graduate of Sociology and holds a Masters Degree, MILR, Industrial Labour Relations, at Delta State University, Abraka.
She joined the Nigeria Police Force in 2002, went through trainings and since then has gradually & diligently worked her way up the ladder. She is a member of different respectable organizations and is known to have bagged many national and international awards based on merit and recommendations. Some of these awards include but are not limited to: International Performance Award by UCCRM, Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria Award, Lagos @50 Hall of Fame Awards as a Peace Ambassador, Best Media Friendly Police Officer of the Year Award, Award for COVID-19 DPO of the year 2020, Bold Charity Concert & Awards 2017, Recognition Award by Wharton Harper Nigeria Limited for Selfless Service to Humanity among many others.
CSP Oyin is an intelligent, kind and passionate Police Officer for whom attestations are inexhaustible on the extent she goes to resolve amicably, issues that would have ended up in court. Her impeccable knack for conflict resolution is what has earned her the title “Peace Maker”.
Even though she prefers to look for alternative ways to settle disputes, she doesn’t take criminal activities lightly. While she puts in her all to unravel the puzzle in a case, she does so with an open mind and a sense of logical reasoning. She has contributed immensely to the development of the society. Her initiative outreach where she distributed palliatives and food to over 1,500 families and 200 widows during the gradual ease of the COVID-19 lockdown is one of her many charitable projects where lives have been impacted positively.
During this past Sallah, she also cooked and distributed food to many so they can eat and merry. She doesn’t only do this on special occasions, she has taken it upon herself to cook for all her personnels whenever they are on special duties and every other person assigned to carry out the same duties with them. As insignificant as this gesture may seem, over time, there is no how it will not start to rub off on other Police Officials around her and motivate them to want to add values to others. It is safe to say that CSP Oyin is not only impacting lives positively, she is also leaving a legacy for others to follow.
This write up came up in a bid to appreciate CSP Oyin on how she helped a young man whom she didn’t know at the time solve a death threat issue. He received death threats several times from a particular person over a business transaction that wasn’t executed well. This being around Ikeja Lagos, the young man went online to search for the contact details of the DPO in charge at Area F Police unit since he wasn’t getting the necessary assistance he needed from the Police. He stumbled upon CSP Oyin’s contact number during his online search and put a call through to her. Although she has been transferred from the unit at the time, was still able to refer him to an IPO and in a matter of days, the issue was resolved without any violence.
Also is an issue that she settled between a couple that was planning to divorce. She invited them individually to dinner at a 4 star hotel, counseled them and afterwards, handed them the key to a room she had booked for them to have a night stay. Both of them spent the night reflecting on their marriage while having a time of their life. This singular act was what rewrote the marital story of the young couple in mention and today they are still living in their ‘happily ever after’.
In her zeal to make sure that justice is served and evil perpetrators are brought to book, she at a time spent her hard earned money, time and energy to fish out someone who duped another person of N20,000 and made sure that the said sum was refunded. For her, it is not about the triviality of what was done but that all wrong doers must be made to take responsibility for their actions.
When they say ‘Police is your friend’ there is no doubt that CSP Oyin is the one being referred to. Amidst all the chaos and irregularities that the country is faced with, she has outstandingly and commendably giving the best of herself to the Nigerian Police Force and the society at large. She carried on the armor of truth and selflessness and elegantly wore it like a cloak. Her motherly instinct is always out to play, never failing to give her assistance to those who may need it, known or unknown. A moment with her is a lifetime of awe. Her large heart is capable of accommodating all, irrespective of background or tribe.
Her extraordinary prowess, her unwavering loyalty, her ever available support, her listening ears, her heart of gold...... all these and more aren’t enough to describe this woman of substance. Indeed, she is a masterpiece of nature and a rare gift from the Most High. For what it’s worth, Nigeria needs more of ‘CSP Oyin’ in the Force. She is a typical example that there may be bad eggs in the Police Force, the existence of good ones cannot be overruled. Her exemplary life and commitment to humanity is absolutely worthy of emulation.
No wonder, the present American President during the last year International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) where she has been a member for 15 years, had to commend her for her selfless and honourable ways of combating crime. She is also a Member of International Association of Women Police and holds an International Chieftaincy title in Ghana as ‘Nne Udo Ndi Igbo 1 of Ghana’ which in English translation means ‘Mother of Peace’. The No 1 Igbo man in Lagos State, Eze Nwachukwu Christian AKA Igbo One also honored her during his yam festival last year as ‘Ucho Udo Ndigbo 1 Na Lagos State’. These titles were conferred on her for her skillful ways at averting crisis especially the one that would have happened at the 2019 elections at the Ago area of Lagos, where she prevented ethnic crisis between the Igbos and Yorubas.
At CSP Oyin Frances SOA, there is no doubt that you are a blessing to the Police Force and Nigeria at large. We wish you a happy International Day of Charity and we say; keep being the light that shines even through the darkest moments of these challenging times. The sky is your springboard.
