The Executive Assistant on Security Matters to the Governor of Oyo state, retired Commissioner of Police, Sunday Odukoya has asserted that Oyo State stands as the epitome of peace and tranquility in the Nigeria.
The declaration comes amidst ongoing concerns over security challenges in other various parts of Nigeria.
Odukoya made this disclosure earlier on Wednesday, July 17, at a Town Hall meeting and empowerment program in Eruwa, organized by the Chairman, Nigeria Conference of Speakers of State Legislature and Speaker Oyo state House of Assembly, Honorable Adebo Ogundoyin.
Speaking, Odukoya highlighted that Oyo State has consistently maintained a peaceful atmosphere since Governor Seyi Makinde assumed office in 2019, and attributed the achievement on security to proactive measures and strategic policies implemented by the present administration.
The security expert emphasized that Governor Makinde’s administration has prioritized security as a cornerstone of its governance agenda, resulting in a significant reduction in crime rates and promotes an environment conducive to socio-economic development.
Odukoya, while presenting comparative analyses to support his claim maintained that Governor Makinde’s investment on security has become unprecedented and also empowers both mainstream security agencies and others such as the Western Security Network codenamed Amotekun Corp in the state to operate optimally.
He pointed out that concerted efforts by security agencies, community stakeholders, religious and traditional leaders have equally contributed to sustaining peace and harmony across the state.
He disclosed that the priority given to the security by the state government led to the establishment and recruitment of 1,500 of Amotekun personnel, provision of patrol vehicles to the Nigeria Police Force and other sister agencies as well as communication gadgets to ensure effective policing system in the state.
While calling on the traditional leaders in Ibarapa to join the government in fighting kidnapping and illegal mining, Odukoya said that Governor Seyi Makinde has played a vital role to ensure that the issue of farmers/herders clash is laid to rest especially in Igangan and iganna.
The Executive Assistant charged the people to support the government by providing genuine and timely information that will enable security agencies to address security challenges proactively.
Odukoya also stressed the importance of continuous collaboration between the government and relevant stakeholders to consolidate the gains achieved on security in maintaining the relative peace in the state.
At the event, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Ogundoyin who gave cash empowerment to no fewer than 500 members of his constituents comprising various categories of his persons ranging from artisans, farmers, and traders, also gave bursary allowance to students of Eruwa origin.
Ogundoyin, who presented his scorecard and stewardship account to his people also called on wealthy individuals in Ibarapaland and Oyo State by extension to join hands with political office holders to develop the state further as often done in other western parts of the world.
At the programme, 300 artisans , traders and farmers were given N50,000 each to boost their businesses while 200 youths comprising students, youths and political party stakeholders in Ibarapa East received between twenty thousand and twenty five thousand naira each.
Ogundoyin, while commending Governor Makinde for his giant strides in changing the face of the state through urbanization and modern infrastructure assured that the legislature would continue to be partner in progress to ensure delivery of good governance.
He appealed to the people in the constituency to continue to support the present administration in the state, assuring them that all ongoing projects in Ibarapa zone will soon be completed.
Reiterating his commitment to the development of the constituency, Ogundoyin, said he has built maternity centre, mosque for Muslim community, secretariat for Eruwa Youth Movement and blocks of classrooms in Lanlate and Eruwa respectively even before becoming a state legislator.
The lawmaker used the opportunity to call on industrious individuals in Ibarapaland and Oyo State by extension irrespective of political parties to join hands with political office holders in the zone to develop the grassroots.
The Speaker emphasized that for any constituency, zone, state and country to witness development, there must be joint efforts between the political office holders and the wealthy individuals in the society maintaining that government alone has never been able to provide everything without deliberate support from privileged individuals.
The even was attended by members of the State Executive Council, State Assembly members, traditional rulers, religious and political leaders, markets men and women, artisans and students across the constituency.
This is lovely, good to have His Excelency Seyi Makinde as our Governor in Oyo state, our speaker good job God will crown your effort keep it up,CP Odukoya Sunday you are the best man we av never see in Oyo state we really appreciate your effort concerning the security aspect you won’t tired by God’s grace well well done sir, there are other people I can’t mention well done to you all.