The Joint Security Stakeholders for Oyo, Ogun, Lagos, and Osun states have told people in the South-West states and travelers that their shared border regions and highways will be safe and secure during and after the holidays.
The committee told reporters this following the fifth annual security stakeholders’ conference at McPherson University, Seriki Sotayo, on the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway in Ogun State.
The Daily Independent writes that CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd), the Governor of Oyo State’s Special Adviser on Security, and AIG Olusola Subair (rtd), the Governor of Ogun State’s Special Adviser on Security, indicated that the security stakeholders’ conference would be expanded to include Lagos and Osun states.
They said that the meeting was necessary for the committee to review and evaluate the security measures that were put in place last year, coordinate its activities, and come up with new plans to make the shared corridors safer for residents and people coming from the Diaspora to enjoy the holidays.
They said that the group also talked about how to run the South-West Security Trust Fund, which the six governors of the region announced at a meeting in Ibadan last week.
They praised the effort, which is meant to keep the South-West region safe despite the persistent security concerns.
The two promised to take more proactive steps and work together more effectively on security. They said that the actions will be enforced by both established institutions and local governments.
“This is a follow-up meeting to the one we had last year,” Owoseni stated. We normally have this gathering once a year. This is the seventh time we’ve held this meeting, and its purpose is to talk about how to keep our states, Oyo and Ogun, safe.
“But this one is special because Lagos and Osun states are joining us today. So, four states have come together to talk about how to keep our states safe.
“We’ve made some decisions about what to do because we know Christmas is coming up quickly.” We want to let our folks from the Diaspora know that our states are secure for them to come and rejoice here in Nigeria.
“That’s why we’re here today. We also wish to thank the people in charge of McPherson University for letting us utilize their space for this meeting.
“We’ve had it in Oyo State before, but this is the first time we’ve had it in Ogun State.” Dominion University has always been our host, but today McPherson University is hosting us.
“We want to assure the public that this meeting will lead to a crime-free Christmas.”
The Joint Security Stakeholders begged people to be aware of their safety before, during, and after the holidays.
AIG Olusola (rtd), the Ogun State Governor’s Special Adviser on Security, said earlier in his welcoming speech that the purpose of the joint security meeting was to look over the plans that had been made to improve security during the past holiday season.
He said that the stakeholders’ conference would also look at weak spots along the expressway and feeder routes and agree on coordinated efforts and security measures for the upcoming Christmas season.
He went on to say that Oyo and Ogun states had continued to make security agencies stronger by closely watching deployments and supporting personnel welfare and readiness via their commitment to working together.
He told all authorities to give detailed evaluations, find gaps, and be dedicated to the actions needed to make the holiday season safer and make sure the interstate and its corridors are safe.
Prof. Francis Igbasan, Vice-Chancellor of McPherson University, praised the governors of Oyo and Ogun states for putting security first with the help of the joint technical security committee. He said that the meeting would give them a chance to align their operational strategies, share intelligence more deeply, strengthen joint patrols, and come up with common protocols that will make life unbearable for criminals near the borders of the two states.
Security Chiefs from the four states were there, including ACG Segun Adegoke (rtd), the Special Adviser to the Oyo State Governor on Migration and Homeland Security; Dr. Ayodele Ogunsan, the Special Adviser on Security to the Lagos State Governor; and Barr Ojo Samuel, the Special Adviser on Security to the Osun State Governor, among others.
About the Author
