Catherine Ugorji, the Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) who is currently working with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), has been chosen by the UN as one of two runners-up for the prestigious UN Woman Police Officer of the Year award for 2020.
Jean-Pierre Lacroix, Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations, stated that Ugorji demonstrated excellence in UN policing.
A total of 1, 300 UN policewomen were assigned to the UN peacekeeping operations. Twenty-one were nominated for the award and eventually Chief Inspector Doreen Malambo of Zambia, serving with the UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) emerged as the winner of the prestigious police award.
The ceremony will be presided over by Mr. Jean-Pierre François Lacroix, the UN Undersecretary for Peace Operations, on Tuesday, November 3rd and the award will be presented at the event.
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Ugorji joined the Nigerian Police in 2003 and was given the position of a Criminal Investigator from the local to the regional level, as a Child Protection Officer; Divisional Crime Officer up to Acting Deputy Commander of the Ogudu Police Division in Lagos.
Luis Carrilho, UN Police Advisor, congratulated Ugorji for making it to the 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 also praised for her achievement in extending 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. This is in view of her support for the joint operations with the Malian police, gendarmerie and National Guard to help ensure the safety of the local population.
Peace Omenka