As part of efforts to deepen security awareness and sensitization, peaceful coexistence, and development in Oyo State, the Special Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Interfaith Affairs, Reverend Femi Ibikunle, has met with key stakeholders in the Ibarapa zone.
The meeting, held in Eruwa, brought together traditional rulers, religious leaders, community heads, and security agencies to discuss strategies for sustaining peace and enhancing development in the geopolitical zone.
The stakeholders meeting comprised participants from Ibarapa East, Ibarapa Central, and Ibarapa North.
Reverend Ibikunle, in his address, emphasized Governor Makinde’s commitment to unity among all religious and ethnic groups.
Highlighting peaceful coexistence as essential for progress, Rev Ibikunle urged community leaders to work closely with security agencies to curb insecurity and maintain public peace and tranquility.
According to the governor’s aide, “Ibarapa is a vital part of Oyo State, and the government is committed to ensuring the safety of its people.
“Through dialogue and strategic collaborations like this, we can maintain our proactiveness in tackling security challenges and promoting harmonious living.
“We are taking this message of unity and peaceful coexistence regardless of our ethnic and religious diversity to the grassroots because we believe that security is local, and so, it became imperative for us to sustain this kind of engagement.”
In their separate remarks, stakeholders at the meeting expressed appreciation for the government’s efforts in deepening security awareness at the grassroots and called for more support in addressing local security concerns, including issues of banditry and farmer-herder conflicts.
They also commended Governor Makinde’s administration for engaging the grassroots in security matters and called for increased deployment of security personnel and enhanced community policing to address crime effectively.