The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has called for synergy between security agencies to boost security operations.
Governor Makinde said the cooperation between the Western Nigeria Security Network agency, codenamed Amotekun Corps, the state Police Command and other security agencies had brought about improved security in the state.
Governor Makinde, said this on Monday while inaugurating a 12-member Board of the Amotekun Corps, at the Executive Council Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Ibadan, the state capital.
He noted that “the situation had resulted in farmers being able to return to their farms while every part of the state had remained peaceful.”
The Governor reiterated that the safety of the lives, property of all residents and citizens of the state would always remain a priority of his administration.
He charged the 12-member Amotekun Board, headed by a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police, Sikiru Akande, to oversee and heighten security activities of the corps in the state.
The Governor urged the board to ensure it optimally discharged its mandate of making policy and administrative guidelines for the agency and move the corps on a path to sustainable development, to make it function effectively.
While recounting the teething challenges of the agency at inception, Governor Makinde explained that the cordial relationship currently prevailing between Amotekun and the Nigeria Police had become remarkable and pledged to further equip and support the agency to perform optimally.
He also applauded the agency for introducing a new strategy of community intelligence gathering into its operations, noting that the Oyo Amotekun had continued to evolve itself to serve the people better.
Governor Makinde affirmed that “security remained pivotal for a thriving and robust economy,” stressing that “residents were assured of the safety of their lives, property and investments within the borders of the state.”
He said: “Having fulfilled the requirement of the Section 7, subsection 4 of the Oyo State Security Network Agency, 2020, which states the Chairman and members of the Board shall be appointed by the governor on the recommendation of the Attorney-General, subject to the confirmation of the two-thirds of majority of the House of Assembly, we are here today for the inauguration of the Oyo Amotekun Board.
“This is made up of 12 members and their primary responsibility is to make policy and administrative guidelines for the agency and to see that the agency functions optimally. Security is linked to the development of any community. Oyo Amotekun works along other security agencies in the state.”
In his remark, the Chairman of the newly inaugurated Governing Board, AIG Sikiru Akande (rtd), assured residents of the state of safety, with the calibre of members constituting the governing board.
He said the agency would work in collaboration with other security units for the overall best interest of the public.
“The people should go to sleep, they should rest assured that with the capacity we have, the management and the standard that the previous board has laid, we will not fail them; we will even go beyond the mandate the state has given. We have done it in other places, we will not fail to do it in our own state. We are going to have a robust security network for Oyo State,” Akande promised.
The Governing Board, which comprises 12 members, with some representatives drawn from across the three senatorial districts of the state, include Col. Bisiriyu Olayanju (Rtd), Member; CP Ayinde Hamzat (Oyo State Command); CP Fatai Owoseni (Rtd), Special Adviser (Security); Commodore R. A. Babalola (Rtd), and Rep. Oyo South Senatorial District; Mrs Hamzat Khadijat Ronke.
Others are Rep. Oyo Central Senatorial District; CP Samson Ogunlowo (Rtd), Rep. Oyo North Senatorial District; Commandant M.A. Adaralewa, State Commandant, Nigeria Security & Civil Defence Corps, Represented by DCC Patunola Timothy Oladeji (member).
Also in the list are, Oba Oladapo Oyediran, the Onpetu of Ijeru, representative of traditional rulers; Mrs I.E. Akinbode, State Counsel, Ministry of Justice, Secretary; CP. Sunday Odukoya (Rtd), Executive Assistant (Security), Member; and representative of the General Officer Commanding, Armed Forces of Nigeria, Ibadan, Member.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
