Odita Sunday 
For those familiar with literature, particularly novels, drama and poetry, this title may immediately remind them of the celebrated work of the Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, ‘The Man Died.’
One may therefore ask: Which one is “And the Man Danced”?
Well, this is not a story of death or mourning. It is a story of celebration, humility, human relations and leadership. It is another opportunity to reflect on the personality and leadership style of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, and his tenure as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
On Saturday, 19 September 2026, in Abuja, the IGP personally graced the wedding reception of one of the officers serving in the IGP Secretariat, ASP Adams Adedotun, who had married his beautiful bride, Zainab. The reception was held at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.
Adams was, at one time, my personal assistant when I served as the Force Public Relations Officer in Abuja. He covered briefly for DSP Tana when he proceeded to the Nigerian Law School to pursue his legal career. Adams is a dedicated, brave and intelligent police officer.
On arrival at the reception, I noticed the presence of the IGP’s advance team. I initially assumed it was the usual preparatory deployment for an official engagement, as is customary whenever the IGP is scheduled to attend an event.
But at about 4:45 p.m., the atmosphere changed. The eagle had landed.
The arrival funfair played by the band and the accompanying excitement announced the arrival of the IGP. He came in a relaxed and unassuming manner, ready not merely to make an appearance, but to celebrate with the young couple and members of the police family.
And that is where the story becomes interesting.
As I have consistently observed in my previous writings, leadership is not only demonstrated through policies, directives and official ceremonies. It is often revealed in the seemingly simple moments when a leader chooses to connect with the people.
As the great American leadership thinker John C. Maxwell famously put it, “Leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less.”
Sometimes, that influence is exercised not from behind a desk, but through a simple human gesture.
The IGP delivered a goodwill message and words of admonition to the couple. He subsequently stepped onto the dance floor to celebrate with them. He then invited senior officers present, including Omooba Adejobi, to join him in honouring the newlyweds.
And the IGP danced.
Not for a few seconds for the cameras.
He remained on the dance floor for more than 30 minutes and spent over two hours at the event, sharing in the joy of the couple, their families and members of the police community.
At that moment, another famous observation came to mind. Maya Angelou once said:
“People will never forget how you made them feel.”
That, for me, captures the deeper significance of this occasion.
The young officer may remember the IGP’s policies and directives during his career. But he may also remember for the rest of his life that the Inspector-General of Police personally attended his wedding, spoke to him and his wife, danced with them and celebrated their happiness.
That is leadership expressed through humanity.
For those familiar with regimental organisations such as the Police and the Armed Forces, the personal presence of an Inspector-General of Police at the wedding of an Assistant Superintendent of Police is significant.
It sends a message that rank does not have to create an emotional distance between a leader and those he leads. It says: ‘I see you. I value you. Your happiness matters. You are part of this family.’
And this brings me to the wisdom of another great thinker, Simon Sinek, who has written extensively about leadership and organisational culture:
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”
From a Public Relations perspective, this is particularly important.
Public Relations is not merely about press statements, publicity or media visibility. It is also about relationships, empathy, reputation, trust and the human connections that sustain an organisation.
When personnel feel recognised and valued, such gestures can contribute to morale, self-esteem, job satisfaction and a stronger sense of belonging.
In a conventional setting, a senior public official might send a representative and a token of goodwill to such an occasion. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. But when a leader chooses to attend personally, offer words of encouragement and celebrate directly with a junior officer, the gesture carries an additional symbolic meaning.
It humanises leadership.
It brings the office closer to the people.
It strengthens the bond between the leader and the led.
It tells the personnel that behind the ranks, uniforms, protocols and operational responsibilities are human beings who deserve to be recognised and appreciated.
As a Public Relations Practitioner, I could not miss the significance of what I witnessed.
I saw PR in motion. I saw leadership communicating without a press statement. I saw an IGP using presence, accessibility and human connection to communicate a message to his personnel.
And then, in my usual reflective manner, the words came to me:
“AND THE MAN DANCED.”
For some, this may simply have been an IGP dancing at a wedding.
For me, it was much more. It was a picture of leadership stripped of protocol for a moment. It was humility on the dance floor. It was a senior officer celebrating with a junior officer. It was the police family celebrating one of its own.
And perhaps, most importantly, it was a reminder that sometimes the most powerful leadership messages are not delivered from a podium.
Sometimes, they are communicated through presence. Sometimes, through a handshake. Sometimes, through a smile. And sometimes…through a dance.
So, on Saturday, 19 September 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, THE MAN DANCED.
And in that dance, many members of the police family may have seen a message of humility, fellowship, recognition and people-oriented leadership.
May the good work continue.
God bless the IGP.
God bless the Nigeria Police Force.
God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Omooba Olumuyiwa Adejobi, fnipr
Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations
Oba Adejobi’s House, Orile-Owu, Osun State, Nigeria
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