Nigeria’s Catherine Ugorji Selected For UN Woman Police Officer Of The Year Award

Nigerian Policewoman, Catherine Ugorji has been recognized for her great work. She has been selected by the United Nations as one of two runners-up for the prestigious UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award for 2020.

CSP Ugorji is currently serving with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission in Mali (MINUSMA).

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, the Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, said through both her words and actions, UN Police Officer Ugorji exemplifies the best of UN policing.

Of the 1,300 UN policewomen deployed in UN peacekeeping operations, 21 were nominated for the award.

Ugorji joined the Nigeria Police Force in 2003 and served as a criminal investigator from the local to regional level, Child Protection Officer, Divisional Crime Officer up to Acting Deputy Commander of the Ogudu Police Division in Lagos.

UN Police Advisor, Luis Carrilho, congratulated Ugorji for being chosen as a runner-up and described her leadership of “three Formed Police Units (FPU) in Gao” as remarkable.

“Catherine has introduced tactical operations that have been instrumental in reducing crime in the area, in support of the Malian security forces and the host population.

“In addition to this very demanding role, Chief Superintendent Ugorji has worked diligently to improve living conditions for women police officers so they can serve safely and with dignity,” Carrilho said.

Ugorji was commended for her work to extend the outreach of the FPU to the Ansongo area, “close to the Mali-Niger-Burkina Faso border area, where terrorists and spoilers of the Malian peace agreement are increasing their influence.”

It was revealed in the statement that her support for the joint operations with the Malian police, gendarmerie and National Guard have helped to ensure the security of the local population.

NAN

The award would be presented during a virtual ceremony presided over by Mr Lacroix on Tuesday, Nov. 3.