"Tanto nomini nullum per elogium." These Latin words, translated as "For such a great name, no praise is adequate," were inscribed centuries after the passing of Niccolò Machiavelli, the Italian thinker once vilified but later revered for his enduring political treatise, The Prince. They remind us that the worth of some lives cannot be captured by mere words.
Their impact stretches beyond mortality, echoing long after their departure. It is in this spirit that I reflect on the life of Solomon Ehigiator Arase, a man whose service, intellect, and humanity will reverberate through the Nigerian Police Force, the legal profession, and indeed, our national memory. By way of his early life and career rise, Solomon Arase was born on June 21, 1956, in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State. He lived a life that exemplified discipline, diligence, and integrity. From modest beginnings, he charted a professional course that would take him to the highest office in the Nigerian Police Force.
His rise was not meteoric in the shallow sense, but steady and earned through competence, courage, and an unyielding belief in service. Over the span of three decades, he held several sensitive and demanding positions. He was Principal Staff Officer to three successive Inspectors General of Police, a role that required trustworthiness and deep institutional knowledge.
He later served as Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Assistant Inspector -General of Police in charge of intelligence, and Deputy Inspector -General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department. Each posting tested his versatility and reaffirmed his reputation as a meticulous, thoughtful, and reform- minded officer. In 2015, his journey reached its peak when he was appointed the 18th indigenous Inspector -General of Police. By then, his reputation as a humane yet firm leader was already established. Arase's contributions were not confined to Nigeria. His commitment to peace and justice found expression on the globalstage, particularly in United Nations peacekeeping missions in Namibia and other conflict zones.
There, he represented Nigeria with honour, intelligence, and quiet dignity, embodying the very best of our national ideals. These assignmentsreinforced his belief that policing was not just about force, but about peace- building, reconciliation, and the preservation of human dignity. At home and abroad, his conduct left a lasting mark on the security landscape, showing that the police could be both guardians of order and protectors of rights.
As a reformer, he was a great champion. Arase's tenure as Inspector General of Police was characterized by reforms that sought to humanize and modernize the Force. He was a firm believer in intelligence-led policing, community partnership, andrespect for human rights. His leadership was never authoritarian but collaborative, open to ideas, and grounded in pragmatism. I recall vividly suggesting to him, while he served as IGP, the creation of a platform through which citizens couldlodge and track complaints against erring policemen. He immediately saw the value and, without delay, established the Complaint Response Unit. That initiative, still active today, has become a cornerstone of accountability and citizen protection, bridging the gap between the police and the people they serve.
On another occasion, I raised with him the problem of policemen on road duty who, under the influence of intoxicants such as drugs and alcohol, recklessly discharged weapons, often resulting in the maiming or killing of innocent citizens. I proposed random testing by the X-Squad. Again, without hesitation, Arase embraced the idea and ensured its implementation. That was classic Arase; swift, decisive, reformist, and always sensitive to the wellbeing of ordinary people. Upon assuming office, he also resolved to consult all his predecessors as Inspectors General of Police, a decision that reflected his humility and respect for institutional history.
He fulfilled this resolve, embodying wisdom and foresight befitting of his biblical name, Solomon. His post-service commitment to reform also came into play when, after retirement, Arase championed many efforts towards lasting reform. His appointment in 2023 as Chairman of the Police Service Commission gave him another platform to pursue his ideals. There, he insisted on merit-based promotions and character recognition in the elevation of officers. Though his tenure was cut short by the machinations of vested interests, his contributions remain etched in the institutional memory of the Commission. His courage to challenge entrenched patronage and insist on integrity in promotions was a great service to the Force. His removal was a setback for reform, but it did not erase his impact. Solomon Arase was also a lawyer and a jurist. He was a lawyer of repute.
His passion for justice and excellent conduct, as well as significant contributions to the course of justice, earned him membership of the Body of Benchers,the apex body of legal practitioners responsible for admitting aspirants to the Nigerian Bar and for regulating discipline in the profession. His membership was not ceremonial but substantive, reflecting his stature as a practitioner of the highest distinction.
His approach to law mirrored his approach to policing: grounded in rights, guided by fairness, and always committed to the dignity of the human person. Solomon Arase was a great scholar and author. Knowledge was a passion that defined him.
As if aware of the brevity of life, he immortalized himself through books that will remain vital references for policing and law enforcement in Nigeria. Among his works are Law and Detection of Crimes by Police in Nigeria, Policing Nigeria in the 21st Century, and Operational Manual of International Human Rights Protocols and Guidelines for the Nigerian Police Force. These were not academic exercises for vanity's sake. They were tools for reform, advocacy, and training. Through them, he ensured that future generations of police officers would benefit from his insights. He also convened and participated in countless seminars and workshops, both at home and abroad, sharing knowledge and advancing discourse. In truth, Solomon Arase was an embodiment of knowledge, very upright, incorruptible, and content with the blessings God gave him, never driven by the insatiable thirst for material accumulation. Solomon Arase was equally a humanitarian. He was committed to the advancement of human rights of citizens which accounted for why many human rights groups and civil society organizations worked perfectly with him in his service as the Inspector General of Police and even after retirement from the Force. Arase's greatness was not confined to professional achievements.
He was also a philanthropist of note. Through the Solomon Ehigiator Arase Foundation, he provided scholarships to children of fallen police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty, as well as to outstanding and indigent students. This initiative reflected his compassion and his recognition of the sacrifices of police officers and their families. It also showed his deep sense of social justice. He believed that service should translate into opportunities for others, especially the vulnerable. What endeared Arase to many was not just his professional success but his humanity. He never discriminated. He was as comfortable with the powerful as he was with the poor. He was loyal to his friends and never betrayed a soul to the best of my knowledge. Despite the decade that separated us in age, our rapport was always levelled, as though years were irrelevant. He was a detribalized Nigerian, embracing all, regardless of background or creed. At the Evening of Tributes held in his honour, speaker after speaker testified to his impacts. Their stories brought to life David Brooks' distinction in The Road to Character between "résumé virtues" and "eulogy virtues'. 'Résumé virtues are the degrees, fellowships, and titles we flaunt; eulogy virtues are the qualities remembered when we are gone. Remarkably, none of the speakers spoke of his chains of degrees or qualifications. Instead, they recalled his loyalty, humility, reforms, and kindness. That is the ultimate lesson: while many of us chase résumé virtues, we neglect the enduring power of eulogy virtues. As the Latin adage goes, vox populi, vox Dei, the voice of the people is the voice of God. Judging by the testimonies of those who knew him, Arase has earned paradise, reckoning with the dictates of the holy books also. A lot we can learn from the life and times of this legend. Arase's life teaches us that it is not the length of days that matters but the quality of living. Charles Kingsley, in his 1856 classic The Heroes: Greek Fairy Tales, captured it thus: "Better to die in the flower of youth, on the chance of winning a noble name, than to live at ease like the sheep, and die unloved and unrenowned."
Arase's name will endure not because he lived long but because he lived well. He was a leading light, warm, kind, generous, resourceful, and of impeccable character. To the family he left behind, particularly his wife and children, I extend my heartfelt condolences. I urge you to take solace in the immense currency of goodwill he left behind, which you can draw upon for strength and support. You however need to uphold his name and values, and God in His infinite mercy will grant you the grace to surpass even his achievements. To my sister, Mrs. Arese Arase, you were a devoted and caring wife from the beginning to the end. I feel your pain deeply but encourage you to take pride in the good name and enduring legacy he left behind. May God continue to abide with you and the entire family.