Amotekun: South-West Governors Vows To Continue With Operation

AgegePulse Magazine

Chairman of the South West governors forum, Rotimi Akeredolu has vowed that the six governors would pursue operation Amotekun to a logical conclusion.

Apparently reacting to the pronouncement of the Federal government that the concept was illegal, Akeredolu who spoke at the 2020 armed forces remembrance day celebration in Akure, the Ondo state capital said there was no going back.

“We the six south west governors are fully prepared to ensure that operation Amotekun succeeds.

“Amotekun is not a para-military outfit, the introduction of the security outfit is to Compliment the efforts of other security agencies.

We are prepared to ensure operation Amotekun succeeds. Operation Amotekun is not a paramilitary outfit”.

Reaffirming, the need for the security outfit, governor Akeredolu said “It is in our quest to further curtail the menace of kidnapping, banditry and other crimes in Ondo State and the entire Southwest region that we launched Operation “Amotekun” .

“It is one of the many solutions being proffered to our security challenges in Western Nigeria.

“We want to assure you that the activities of the personnel working for the outfit will be monitored and streamlined along their mandate of securing lives and property of people of Ondo State and entire Western Nigeria and it will not be used for political purposes.

In another development, Ekiti state governor, Kayode Fayemi while speaking on Daily Trust Television, was quoted as saying that the issue now should not be about whether Federal Government or governors can misuse Police or any security outfit.

Explaining the logic behind the setting up of the security outfit, Fayemi said “power, unrestrained is always misused. “That initiatives are springing up points to the fact that citizens are not happy with the security situation in the land.”
Does the Federal government not misuse Police in 2014? I was a sitting Governor, I had immunity; I was assaulted. Go into history books. What we should be talking about is how to make sure the security institution is accountable within the frameworks of democratic control.

“It is not about whether the Federal Government or governors can misuse Police. Power, unrestrained is always misused. That different initiatives are springing up points to the fact that citizens are not happy with the security situation in the land.

“Governors have a duty and responsibility that are spelt out in the constitution: The security and welfare of the citizens should be their number one priority.

“So, if people in my own area of jurisdiction are saying “ we don’t know what you are doing”, should something not be done? We are funding Police, we are buying vehicles, we are buying security gadgets, we are paying allowances, yet we don’t get enough security.

“There is nothing unique about what we are doing. I am glad that Governor Lalong said “we haven’t seen the details of what you are doing but we are working on a similar arrangement in our own area.

Meanwhile, speaking on the armed forces remembrance day, Akeredolu said that the nation remained grateful for the selfless service of the Armed Forces through their contributions and sacrifice.

Akeredolu described the annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration as a unique opportunity to reflect on the sacrifices made in the past years by the Nigeria Armed Forces to ensure global and internal peace and security of lives and properties.

He also thanked the entire members the Nigeria Armed Forces for controlling crime before, during and after the yuletide period through “Operation Crocodile Smile”.

The Governor said the relentless efforts of the members of the nation’s Armed Forces is beginning to yield positive result in the state and the country in general.

DailyTimes

Continue to preach hope, peace, unity, Ambode urges religious leaders

…As Osinbajo, Gov attend 58th Independence Service in Lagos

Agegepulse Magazine

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Sunday urged religious leaders to see the period as a time to continue to preach the message of hope, peace, unity, integrity and religious tolerance and intensify prayers for God’s intervention and restoration of hope in the future of Nigeria.

Governor Ambode, who spoke at a special Independence Interdenominational Service, held at the headquarters of the Deeper Life Bible Church Headquarters in Gbagada, Lagos, said he was optimistic that the best of Nigeria and the State was yet to come, urging Nigerians to continue to pray, hope and work for a better future for all.

"My brothers and sisters in the Lord, at this auspicious period in the history of our nation, the Church and indeed everyone who believes in the efficacy of prayer have a responsibility and patriotic duty to pray for the wellbeing and progress of our nation. I believe strongly that the best of our nation and our State is yet to come. Let us continue to pray, hope and work for a better future,” he said.

He said that as the nation prepares to go to the polls next year, all hands must be on deck to sustain and deepen the process that will result in sustainable growth and good governance for all, just as he urged Nigerians to eschew all tendencies that may aggravate the challenges being experienced at the moment.

“As we celebrate our 58 years independence anniversary, I urge us to remain steadfast and continue to uphold those values that have been passed down from our heroes who sacrificed so much to liberate us from the yokes of colonial rule.

“Today’s occasion is also coming at a critical time in the history of our nation when all hands must be on deck to sustain and deepen the process that will result in sustainable growth and good governance for our people.   We must all get involved and work together to ensure that the potentials of this nation are fully realized for the benefit of everyone and future generations,” he said.

He specifically commended the General Superintendent of Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor W. F. Kumuyi, for his dedication and commitment shown towards the propagation of Christianity and the service of God over the years, adding that he (Kumuyi) had continued to impact the lives of many globally through inspirational teaching of the Word of God.

Governor Ambode also lauded the contributions of the church in the State, saying that the Gbagada community has benefited immensely from their various corporate social responsibility projects initiated by the church.

“I congratulate the Deeper Life Bible Church on this magnificent edifice you have put up here. I was unable to join you for the formal opening but I am very happy to worship in this sanctuary today as we celebrate another anniversary of our Independence.

“As I congratulate you on this new Church building, I also thank you for the good works you have done in the Gbagada Community. Your holistic approach to religious activities has been demonstrated in your corporate social responsibility actions especially the construction of the Oduwole Bridge and a multi-level car park to ease traffic in this community.

“You have demonstrated that the Church can play a lot of roles in nation building. Beyond the spiritual role of praying for the Government, the Church can also partner with the Government to make our communities a better place,” the Governor said.

He said his administration, in furtherance to the efforts of the church, embarked on the construction of a network of six roads identified by the community development associations, including Aderemi Akeju Street, Okun Street, Femi Kuti Street, Brown Road, Adegbenro/Ganiyat Dawodu Street and Yetunde Brown Street.

Governor Ambode said the contract for the road, which was awarded in September 2017 was already 60 percent completed and is expected to be concluded by the end of the first quarter of 2019, while adding that adjoining road networks such as Diya Street and Ajayi Aina streets have been scheduled for rehabilitation to further enhance road connectivity within the axis.

“For us as government, we will continue to promote fairness, justice and everything that will make life more comfortable for our people,” he said.

Also speaking, Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo in his message titled ‘Coming of Age’, said Nigerians must come to the realisation that the destiny of the country was in their hands and as such must continue to make concerted efforts to promote values that unite rather than divide us.