The event had in attendance Governors Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo,  Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti, Seyi Makinde of Oyo,Deputy Governor of Ogun, Noimat Salako-Oyedele, Deputy Governor of Osun, Benedict Gboyega Alabi, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Otunba Deji Osinbogun and Professor Banjo Akintoye.

It would be recalled that a case was made at the security summit organized by the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria(DAWN) Commission in Ibadan, for relevant stakeholders to work collectively with Security Agencies in tackling the security challenges in the Southwest region.

Speaking at the launch held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital,  the Ondo state governor, Rotimi Akeredolu who is also the  Chairman, Southwestern Nigeria Governors’ Forum said that governors in the region are committed, in all ramifications, to the ideals that will make the country stronger and more united, and not to divide it.

Governor Akeredolu added that the establishment of Amotekun, is without prejudice to the expectations of patriotic discharge of the mandates as provided in our laws, emphasising that the region is concerned with the security of its people and property.

He said, “Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, it is appropriate for me at this juncture, to state that the Southwest States of the Federation believe in the unity of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and its indissoluble sovereignty. We are committed, in all ramifications, to the ideals that will make the country stronger and more united.

“The various nation-states within the Federation are diverse, yet almost all of us agree that our strength is in our unity. Consequently, we shall continue to support the Federal Government, under the able and indefatigable leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, in its avowed commitment and determination to take the country to the next level. Let me on this note thank DAWN Commission for the wonderful job done in crafting the operational framework for Amotekun.

“The Commission has taken care of all grey areas that could cause friction in the operations of the personnel that will be deployed for the programme. As a matter of fact, the Nigeria Police will oversee and moderate the activities of Amotekun, thus making its operation conform to the acceptable standards. Amotekun is the Yoruba name for the Leopard. It is not the Tiger, Ekun. It is also important that I allay the fears of all those who have expressed misgivings as regards the quality of the personnel to be recruited to serve in the outfit. There is an adequate recruitment mechanism for the exercise. The conventional security agencies will participate, actively, in profiling the recruits.

“Nobody with questionable character will participate in the programme. We will make it difficult for undesirable elements to compound the challenges being encountered. Proper background checks will be carried out on personnel to be recruited while the needed registration/identification of such personnel will be done to ensure accountability. Let me seize this opportunity to once again appreciate the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police, State Security Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other security agencies for their unrelenting efforts in combating the various crimes threatening peace and security in the entire country.

“Your patriotism in keeping the territorial integrity of our dear nation is acknowledged. The establishment of Amotekun, is without prejudice to the expectations of patriotic discharge of your mandates as provided in our laws. We depend on you, mainly, to secure our territory. You are the experts with the requisite trainings. Your patriotic zeal must not wane as a result of this necessary intervention.

“The Governors in the Southwest Region will provide all the logistic support that will enhance seamless operations of the programme. Each of the six States has procured 20 Pick-up Vans equipped with communication gadgets and one hundred motorcycles for the take-off of the Security Network. I wish to enjoin all those that will be in charge of the vehicles and motorcycles to ensure their adequate maintenance and use them only for the intended purpose”, Governor Akeredolu concluded.

Also speaking at the event,  Governor Seyi Makinde noted   that it is the priority of the governors in the region to ensure that both indigenes and settlers living within the boundaries of their various states carry out their legitimate activities in a secure environment.

“When we discuss the development potentials of our states and talk about investment opportunities and growing our Internally Generated Revenue by exploring areas of comparative advantage, we remain keenly aware that we cannot achieve anything in a state of insecurity. And so, we are here. To those who are afraid, I say, when we assumed office, we all took the Oath of Office and promised to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria; To follow the dictates of the Constitution and protect the sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We have not forgotten our oath.

“Our regional integration, our coming together, should be seen in one light and one light alone: That we are coming together to fight a common enemy. That enemy is not Nigeria; the enemies are the elements among us and their affiliates who are determined to cause commotion within the borders of our states and threaten our peaceful coexistence. As this launch proceeds today, we will find that this architecture we have put together is in harmony with the Constitution that we swore to protect. We will also learn that everything we have outlined to do with Amotekun is in line with the existing security architecture in Nigeria. All we are doing is creating an appendage of local vigilantes that will feed the current state apparatus.”

The post Southwest Governors Unite To Tackle Insecurity, Launch ‘ Amotekun’ first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post Southwest Governors Unite To Tackle Insecurity, Launch ‘ Amotekun’ appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.

Some people are taking the advantage of the anomalous situation to fudge the history of Yoruba to satisfy their whims and caprices. I feel strongly to lend my viewpoints on the raging issue as a counterpoise.

As more and more people particularly the public intellectuals are reacting to what I described as an unbecoming conduct of Oba Akiolu, one is still thankful to God that Ooni Adeyeye was able to display maturity and accepted the outrage with large heart. The scenario would have ended up as a calamity not only for the duo but the entire Yoruba race assuming Oba Ogunwusi had responded with equal fatuousness.

With the video that has gone viral on the social media, the sympathisers and lovers of Oba of Lagos have been put to shame, for the shameful conduct is undeniable and has exposed him to public ridicule. Obviously, the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria as the organisers of the International Conference where the two Royal fathers had a doleful encounter would by now be regretting the discomfiture the incident had caused the professional group.

Whatever might have caused the snubbing of Arole Oduduwa in public by Oba Akiolu, the action under the circumstance and considering the wider implications on the unity of Yoruba race deserves condemnation.

Indeed, this could equally cause discontent and disaffection among the Yoruba race. If the two of them have any score to settle at all, it could have be done in privacy.

I have been so challenged since the eruption of the controversy which the situation had ignited by the brush-off given to Ooni of Ife by Oba Akiolu as several commentators have been using the shot to distort history.

I subscribe to the belief and sentiments that royalty is not determined by age chronological factors. Every crowned king remains the traditional sovereign in his domain.

Irrespective of the age at which the Ooni of Ife ascended the throne of his precursor, he can not be denied his unique status and place in the history of Yoruba race.

However, the outpouring and declarative adjunct that Ooni of Ife is the number one in ranking and the most important traditional ruler in Yorubaland however remain a contentious vignette till eternity as Oyos and Benins will never accept such inaccurate rendition.

In a way, it would be considered quite unseemly for Oyos in particular to watch the history being distorted , values being rough-handled, muddied or treated with improper decorum without feeling a need to intervene.

For Yoruba race to achieve regional integration, unity and greatness, every component unit and ethnic group must come together to maximally harness the abundant and God freely given human and material resources for the region. Pursuant to this common goal and agenda is the perennial call for the unity of Yoruba race as being advocated by Ooni of Ife since he ascended the throne.

Of course, the battle for supremacy among Yoruba Obas ought to have nosedived, if not totally knock off. it is unfortunate that some public intellectuals instead of confining their commentaries on the malfeasance of Oba Akiolu as issue of moral etiquette, they mischievously extended it to superiority upshot to satisfy their personal idiosyncrasies. By giving preference to supremacy of Ooni over other Yoruba Obas at the detriment of ensuring peaceful coexistence among the various ethnic communities would not just cause further disunity among the people of the race, it will make the whole issue to become knotty.

Without mincing words, the ranking of the Obas across ethnic boundaries will not only create an impression that there is a covert attempt at a form of suzerainty of one ethnic or nationality over others. At the end, the strategic objective of regional integration and development will remain a mirage.

In the final analysis, one major lesson learnt from the ugly incident is that every public figure needs to be watchful of his public conduct, utterances and image. From the whole episode and the aftermaths, there is no turndown to the fact that Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi is loved, respected and popular among the Nigeria’s elite and the commoners.

Whoever tries to ridicule the ebullient Ooni of Ife does so at his own peril as admiration for his exalted stool remains sacrosanct.

Rahaman Onike writes from Oyo.

He is a public administrator, writer and author.

The post OPINION: ANTICS OF OBA AKIOLU OF LAGOS AND THREATS TO YORUBA UNITY. first appeared on MegaIcon Magazine.

The post OPINION: ANTICS OF OBA AKIOLU OF LAGOS AND THREATS TO YORUBA UNITY. appeared first on MegaIcon Magazine.