Hi, I'm Festus.
I was elected as Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) in May 2021, after serving as a frontline Special Constable, working to keep our communities safer.
I am on the Board of the College of Policing which sets the standards for policing in England and Wales. I also Chair the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) and also our collaboration of seven police force area. I also Chair the Bedfordshire Local Criminal Justice Board, which brings together partners from right across the Criminal Justice System including HM Courts and Tribunal Service, Crown Prosecution Service, Probation, Bedfordshire Police, HMP Bedford, Local Authorities' Youth Offending Partnerships etc
Before being elected, I ran my own business which employed about 50 staff across England, Scotland and Wales; providing risk and facilities management services. I also volunteered as a mentor to young offenders in prison, sat on the Board of Directors of a YMCA and served as school governor at a Further Education College. I was also link governor for the institution's Offender Learning and Skills Service (OLASS). Prior to moving to Bedfordshire 15 years ago, I served as a Parish Councillor with particular success at setting up a youth club in my ward.
I am a local dad. My children went or still go to schools in Bedfordshire, got their first part-time jobs in Bedfordshire, and all represented the county at either football or netball to a high standard.
Having raised my children by myself for the best part of 13 years and knowing what it takes to support young people through challenging periods in their lives, it is no surprise that during my first term as Bedfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner; inspiring, engaging with, and safeguarding our young people have been among my top priorities.
I read for a Bachelor's Degree in Business, and a Master's Degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from University of London (SOAS). During my first year at university, I also fulfilled a childhood aspiration of playing professional basketball, after several years of playing for one of the top junior teams in the country and under a former GB basketball Coach, Humphrey Long of East London Royals.
East London was where life began for me having migrated to the UK from Nigeria with my father, mother and twin sister when I was 13 years old. From my parents, I learned the importance of education, hard work and never giving up on my dreams. As PCC, I have spoken to thousands of young people during more than a hundred school visits across Bedfordshire. These values are among the message I share with them.
