Ogun State House of Assembly (OGHA) Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oludaisi Elemide has stated that a functional security architecture in local communities cannot be compromised if growth and development are to be ensured in the society.
This assertion was made at a Security Summit, organised for stakeholders in local communities by Global Pacific Consulting Firm in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta.
The event themed; ‘Community Safety, Collaboration and Partnership for a Prosperous Economy’, was apt given the level of criminality and social vices communities contend with.
In his remarks, the Speaker, who was represented by Hon. member, Abeokuta-North, State Constituency, Hon. Babatunde Tella, buttressed that the State Government, under the leadership of Prince Dapo Abiodun, had continued to demonstrate commitment to safety and security through strengthening Amotekun Corps, support for the Nigeria Police and other security agencies as well as the promotion of youth engagement through empowerment and employment schemes.
“As representatives of the people, the OGHA remains committed to enacting laws and policies that will enhance safety, protect citizens and promote inclusive development across all local governments”, he said.
Earlier Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Hon. Ganiyu Hamzat asserted that the State Government had remained steadfast in its resolve to build a safer and more resilient environment.
“Let me state that community safety will always remain, a shared responsibility. Every individual and institution represented here today has a crucial part to play, as security business is everyone’s business,” he said.
In her goodwill message, Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria, (ALGON), Hon. Folashade Adeyemo, expressed satisfaction with the level of participation by stakeholders noting that a well-coordinated security architecture at the grassroot would be a foundation for a secured State and a nation.
Also speaking, resource persons; from the Department of Criminology and Security Studies, Osun State University, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Command Prof. Adewale Atere and Commandant Remilekun Ekundayo, respectively emphasised inclusiveness, strategy and vigilance as fundamentals to crime prevention and control at the grassroots, adding that people should say something when they see something.
The summit which had the attendants of Local Government Chairmen, Vice Chairmen, Baales, Local Security Agencies, Community Development Associations and Students to mention a few, came to a climax with the presentation of Certificate of Participation to all participants.
