Southwest governors unite, shun political affiliations to tackle  security  challenges

A case has been made for relevant stakeholders to work collectively with Security Agencies in tackling the security challenges in the Southwest region.

This was the submission of the Southwest governors  at a stakeholders Security Summit held in Ibadan. the Oyo state capital on Tuesday.

The recent security challenges in the Southwestern part of Nigeria, especially with the nefarious activities of the herdsmen calls for urgent attention. This necessitated the Stakeholders security summit held in Ibadan to deliberate on the way forward.

The programme organized by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria(DAWN) Commission had in attendance all governors of the Southwest, prominent traditional rulers and Chiefs as well as Security chiefs across the region.

In his welcome address, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state who was the chief host emphasized the need for people and relevant stakeholders to pay adequate attention to security in the Southwest states.

Governor Makinde also noted  that regional approach to the security challenges in the Southwest is imperative to ensure a synergy of activities in tackling any security breach in the region.

In their separate remarks, the Chairman Nigerian Governor’s Forum who is also the Ekiti state governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and his Ondo state counterpart Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu who doubles as  Chairman, Southwest Governors Forum said the task of securing the Southwest states is a collective responsibility of all and sundry.

The duo promised that the Southwest governors will soon put all machinery in place for the establishment of state police especially with the security challenges confronting the region.

Other Southwest governors who spoke at the summit, including Governor Babajide Sanwo- Olu of Lagos state, his Ogun state counterpart. Prince Dapo Abiodun and Mr Gboyega Oyetola of  the State of Osun called for proper coordination and good inter security agencies working relationship to successfully secure the Southwest region.

The trio said the task of ensuring adequate security in the region can not be left in the hands of government alone but collective effort of all stakeholders.

The stakeholders security summit with a focus on Western Nigeria comprises of 3 presenters and 5 Panelists including AIG Zone II,  Leye Oyebade, a member of the Presidential Advisory committee Against Corruption (PACAC), Prof Olufemi Odekunle and Head Department of History, University of Ibadan Professor Olutayo Adesina.