Varsity Don to Governors: ‘Declare State Of Emergency As Measure to Restore Peace, Security In South West

The Director, Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan, Professor Tajudeen Akanji has called on the Governors in the South West region; Seyi Makinde (Oyo), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Rotimi Akreredolu (Ondo) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) to declare state of emergency as a measure to restore peace and security in the region.

Akanji made this declaration recently while speaking as guest speaker at the 4th Surveyor Lasisi Lasupo Ali Annual Lecture entitled, “Emerging Security Threats, State Stability and Economic Development of South Western Nigeria”, organized by Nigerian Institution of Surveyors (NIS), which was held in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital.

At the event were the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi, Chairman of the occasion, Mr Adelodun Olaiya, NIS National President, Surveyor Alabo Charles and Chairman, Oyo State branch of NIS, Surveyor Aderemi Femi Kobiowu.

The South West region, in the last few months, had experienced cases of kidnapping and reported cases of killings by some people suspected to be bandits and armed robbers. One of such cases was the kidnap of Dayo Adewole, a son of a former Minister for Health, Professor Isacc Adewole, at Iroko, near Ibadan.

However, Akanji while reacting, said that one of the panacea to the problem of insecurity which is said is alien to the region, is “for the governors to declare a state of emergency as a measure to restore peace and security to the region.”

Akanji who indicated that the drivers of insecurity include globalization which he said has broken down trade barriers between nations, expansion and integration of economies as well as people, also called on the Nigerian Government to reorganize its security and military formations by introduce state policing and as well address the poverty and unemployment in the country.

He blamed the high rate of crime in Nigeria to a number of factors including “the state’s incapacity to forecast and address early warning signals on insecurity. “Most of the challenges we face are results of governance deficit.

“Although insecurity is a global phenomenon, the difference between communities and states with security issues is their proactiveness and ability to prepare, forecast, project, confront and recover from the security challenges.”

Ogundoyin in his address, said as part of efforts to nip the security challenges in the bud, Oyo State Government will soon unveil a new security architecture.

“We have taken security for granted in Nigeria. I recall that while we were growing up, we could move around freely without any fear.

“Oyo State House of Assembly is ready to partner with the Nigerian Institution of Surveyor in all possible ways including ways to ensure security in Oyo Sate.”

Olaiya lauded the efforts of NIS, Oyo State for considering it appropriate to honour Pa L. L. Ali with the Annual Lecture series saying the gesture shows the recognition of selfless service and respect “Baba” has for the profession.

Olaiya who spoke on behalf of L. L. Ali Family said Pa Ali’s honesty, discipline and virtues, have now constituted lasting heritage which brought about the annual lecture in honour of the celebrant.

Charles said the annual lecture in honour of the septuagenarian L. L. Ali is the best thing to for the man who has paid his due not only to the surveying profession but to humanity.

Kobiowu said the 98-year old Surveyor L. L. Ali is a connosus in the surveying profession because of his uncompromising respect for the ethics of the job in his active days and therefore he is being celebrated with the annual lecture.