By Ebenezer Adurokiya
AS the curtain draws on his career in the Nigeria Police Force, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Joseph Ajikanbi stands at the threshold of a new chapter, having devoted a significant part of his life to public service, national security and the protection of lives and property.
For Ajikanbi, retirement is more than the conclusion of a professional journey. It is an opportunity to reflect on years of discipline, sacrifice, responsibility and commitment to a calling that demands courage, resilience and an unwavering sense of duty.
The officer is scheduled to celebrate his retirement at a ceremony in Lagos on Sunday, November 1, 2026, marking a significant milestone in a career that has taken him through different assignments, security operations and challenging responsibilities.
As he prepares to exchange the demands of active policing for the opportunities of retirement, the occasion offers an appropriate moment to celebrate the man behind the uniform, his personal journey, family life and the relationships he has nurtured over the years.
Early Life and Foundations of Character
Born on June 12, 1970, into the Ogbebaku family in Ogori-Magongo Local Government Area of Kogi State, Ajikanbi was the fifth of nine siblings.
His formative years were shaped by the values of determination, responsibility and perseverance. From an early age, he distinguished himself as someone who approached assignments with seriousness and remained committed to seeing tasks through to successful completion.
These qualities would later become important attributes in his chosen profession, where discipline, sound judgement and a sense of responsibility are essential to effective service.
His educational journey began at R.C.M. Roman Catholic Primary School, after which he proceeded to Community Comprehensive High School, Ogori.
It was during these formative years that he laid the foundation for his future, acquiring the education and personal discipline that would prepare him for the responsibilities of adulthood.
Following his secondary education, Ajikanbi proceeded to the Police Training School, Ilorin, where he received the professional training that prepared him for a career in law enforcement.
His decision to join the Nigeria Police Force marked the beginning of a journey that would take him beyond the classroom and training ground into the demanding realities of policing.
A Career Defined by Duty and Responsibility
Joining the Nigeria Police Force represented a commitment to a profession in which service frequently requires personal sacrifice, adaptability and the willingness to confront difficult circumstances.
For Ajikanbi, the journey evolved into a career spanning different locations, assignments and operational environments.
His professional experience extended beyond routine policing to include special operations, security assignments, international peacekeeping missions and responsibilities relating to the welfare and deployment of personnel.
These varied assignments formed important chapters in his career, exposing him to different dimensions of security work and the responsibilities associated with maintaining peace and order.
Special operations and security assignments require discipline, coordination and the ability to work effectively under pressure. International peacekeeping responsibilities also demand professionalism, adaptability and an appreciation of the need to maintain peace in challenging environments.
Through these experiences, Ajikanbi continued his journey in a profession whose responsibilities extend beyond the individual officer to the communities and institutions that depend on effective policing.
His years in uniform represent a substantial investment of time and energy in public service, a commitment that deserves recognition as he prepares to retire.
While the end of active service marks a change in professional status, the experience and lessons accumulated over the years remain part of the legacy he takes into the next phase of his life.
Beyond the Uniform: The Family Man
Behind every career marked by years of demanding responsibilities is a personal story of family, relationships and the support systems that help sustain the individual through life’s challenges.
For Ajikanbi, family remains an important part of that story.
In 2008, he married Mrs Grace Adesewa Ajikanbi, who hails from the Adeniyi Jesuye family of Odo-Owa in Kwara State.
Their union has been blessed with three children and a daughter-in-law, reflecting another important dimension of his life beyond his professional responsibilities.
The family has been part of his journey through the years of service, sharing in the experiences, sacrifices and milestones that accompany a career in law enforcement.
As he approaches retirement, the opportunity to devote more time to family life and other personal pursuits represents one of the potentially rewarding aspects of this new phase.
After years of professional obligations, the transition provides an opportunity to reflect on family achievements, strengthen personal relationships and enjoy the benefits of time spent with loved ones.
For an officer who has dedicated a substantial part of his life to service, the support of family and friends adds a meaningful dimension to the celebration.
Reuniting with Old School Friends
One of the most touching aspects of Ajikanbi’s retirement celebration is the goodwill expressed by former classmates of Set ’90 of Community Comprehensive High School, Ogori.
Their tributes reflect the enduring value of friendships formed during the formative years of secondary education and sustained across decades of different experiences.
For many members of the set, Ajikanbi’s retirement is not merely the celebration of a colleague leaving the police force. It is also a reminder of the passage of time, the blessings of survival and the achievements that can emerge from the shared experiences of youth.
Mrs Oluremi Olofinlayi, née Jatto, expressed gratitude to God for preserving her secondary school friend and providing an opportunity for them to reconnect after more than three decades apart.
She recalled the privilege of meeting him twice after their long separation and thanked him for honouring her by attending her daughter’s wedding.
Congratulating him on his retirement in good health, she acknowledged that completing a career of this nature was no small achievement.
She also wished him and his family the very best in the new phase of life, expressing hope for more opportunities to celebrate his successes.
Her tribute captures the emotional significance of reconnecting with old friends and witnessing one another’s milestones long after leaving school.
For Ajikanbi, the goodwill of his former classmates is a reminder that while professional careers eventually come to an end, meaningful relationships can endure across generations.
The messages of goodwill from Ajikanbi’s friends and associates reveal a common theme: gratitude for his years of service and prayers for a peaceful, healthy and fulfilling retirement.
Simeon Makanjuola, a member of Set ’90, who joined in celebrating the milestone, wished him a fruitful, peaceful and glorious next chapter, accompanied by sound health and prosperity.
Bose Adeyanju, on her part, also congratulated the retiring officer and his family, acknowledging the demands of completing a long career and expressing gratitude to God for bringing him to this stage.
Ruth Agbogun, current Vice Principal (Academic) at CCHS, in a particularly heartfelt message, described Ajikanbi as her “personal person” and declared that he deserved the best celebration after his years of service.
She prayed that he would enjoy the fruits of his labour, remain in good health and be protected as he enters retirement.
Her message reflected the hopes of many people who regard retirement not simply as the end of employment but as the beginning of a season in which the benefits of years of commitment can be enjoyed.
Grace Alabi, yet another classmate, congratulated her dear brother, praying that the Almighty God would bless his retirement and grant him long life to enjoy the fruits of his labour.
Christiana Adewole, who affectionately referred to him as her ‘big brother,’ also prayed for God’s preservation of Ajikanbi and his family, wishing them peace in their future endeavours.
Moses Adedeji popularly known as Emperor, described him as a gallant officer, expressing pride in his achievement and offering prayers for God’s blessings.
Rotimi Bankole, a cerebral classmate famously called Keske (Quesque), similarly congratulated him and wished him the opportunity to enjoy the rewards of his years of hard work.
Aderemi Josiah, a medical personnel and old classmate, offered a reflective observation on the passage of time, recalling how quickly the years had passed since their secondary school days.
His message underscored the remarkable journey from completing secondary education to navigating the demands of adult life and reaching a major career milestone.
He prayed for good health, long life and prosperity for the retiring officer and his former classmates.
Taken together, the tributes reflect the affection, respect and goodwill surrounding Ajikanbi as he prepares to bow out of active service.
They also highlight the importance of friendship and shared history in celebrating personal achievements.
Retirement: A New Chapter, Not an End
For many public servants, retirement represents a transition from structured professional obligations to a period of greater personal freedom.
For a police officer, however, the milestone carries particular significance because of the demands associated with law enforcement and the responsibilities entrusted to those who wear the uniform.
Ajikanbi’s retirement offers an opportunity to reflect on the years devoted to policing, the assignments undertaken and the personal sacrifices that accompany a career in public service.
It is also a moment to appreciate the people who have been part of the journey, including family members, colleagues, friends and former schoolmates whose support and goodwill have helped make the occasion memorable.
Although the uniform may soon be set aside, the values of discipline, responsibility, perseverance and service remain relevant beyond active employment.
The experience acquired over the years can continue to inform his contributions to family life, his community and society at large.
Retirement also offers room for new interests, renewed relationships and opportunities to pursue personal aspirations that may have taken a back seat during the demands of professional life.
For Ajikanbi, the next chapter presents an opportunity to enjoy the rewards of his labour while embracing the possibilities that lie ahead.
A Well-Deserved Celebration
As family, friends and well-wishers gather in Lagos on Sunday, November 1, 2026, to celebrate his retirement, the occasion will represent more than a formal farewell to active service.
It will be a celebration of a life journey that began in Ogori, Kogi State, progressed through formal education and police training, and developed into a career devoted to public service.
It will also be a celebration of endurance, friendship, family and the grace to reach an important milestone in good health.
The tributes from his former classmates are particularly significant because they come from people who knew him before the responsibilities of professional life took centre stage. Their messages demonstrate how the passage of time can deepen appreciation for shared experiences and the privilege of witnessing one another’s achievements.
For Ajikanbi, the celebrations provide an opportunity to look back with gratitude and forward with hope.
His journey serves as a reminder that every career has its season, and that the conclusion of professional service can be an occasion for thanksgiving, reflection and renewed purpose.
As he bows out of the Nigeria Police Force, ASP Joseph Ajikanbi deserves to be celebrated for reaching this important chapter in his life.
May his retirement bring him enduring peace, sound health, happiness, prosperity and precious moments with his wife, children, daughter-in-law, extended family and friends.
From Stonix News, we say Congratulations, ASP Joseph Ajikanbi, on your retirement. May the years ahead be filled with fulfilment, renewed purpose and the lasting rewards of a life dedicated to service.
