Asiwaju Wahab presenting the Certificate of Attendance to So-Safe at the summit.
By Foluso Adelaja, Editor
The Chairman of Ifedara-Opeji Area Community Development Council (ACDC), Asiwaju Dapo Wahab has said that Community Associations and Councils could regularly conjoin with their Local Government Authorities (LGAs), law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders in the security sector to find solutions to impasse in security and safety in their areas.
Baring his mind over the weekend, during his opening speech at the Security Summit tagged: “Community Development Association, Panacea To Security and Peace In Our Communities” organized by his ACDC, the Ifedara-Opeji Area Community Development Council, at Oke-Ona Grammar School, Opeji-Mawuko Road, Akomoje in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, Asiwaju Wahab opined that this course is the surest avenue “to collectively, at all levels, work with our law enforcement agencies to ensure we reduce crime to the barest minimum if not totally”.
Asiwaju Wahab, a renowned community development activist, philanthropist and the Chairman of a compassionate NGO, the Asiwaju Dapo Wahab Foundation posited that: “if we can as stakeholders, meet to discuss how to resolve matters concerning; Light (electric power), Road, Drainage, Border disputes and so on, why then can’t all our CDAs and CDCs along with our Local Government Area Chairperson and Supervisory Committees come together with our: Law makers, Law enforcers, Traditional rulers and Chiefs, Religious leaders, Educationists and indeed others to discuss, enlighten and find solutions to matters bordering on security”.
The community chairman noted that cases of: “Insecurity, Kidnapping, Cultism, Drug Abuse, Burglary, Armed Robbery, Smuggling, Internet-fraud, Yahoo boys and Yahoo Plus” are too rampant in Ifedara-Opeji communities.
He said this could be because “Opeji ACDC is geographically situated at the extreme end of Odeda and Abeokuta North Local Government Areas, and their townships end at the border, en-route to some other states”.
Asiwaju Wahab said this made perpetrators of heinous crimes “use our community as escape route after committing their crimes and to also decide to come and settle amongst us so they can hide from the long arms of the law”.
He insisted on the need for continuous synergy with other security agencies to ensure peaceful and secured community in order to achieve peace and development.
Also speaking at the event, the State Director, Department of State Security (DSS), Ogun State Command, represented by Bolanle Salami maintained that relevant security stakeholders, community development association leaders, governments must do their bits to find solution to the menace of insecurity ravaging the nation.
On his part, the State Commander, Ogun State Community Social Orientation and Safety Corps, (So-Safe), Commander Soji Ganzallo, who spoke on “Identifying Potentials for Danger and Crime Locations In Our ACDC and Necessary Palliatives To Ensure Their Total Eradication”, pointed out that no community can exist without adequate security.
Ganzallo, identified easy access to illicit drugs, peer influence, single parenting, unemployment, negligence as major factors contributing to the deteriorating security challenges in the Communities.
He pointed out that parents, guardians, community leaders, security agencies, government, religious and traditional leaders have huge responsibility on their shoulders for possible solution to the increasing insecurity challenge.
Delivering his address, the Honourable Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Ogun State, Hon. Prince Gbayi Adesanya, advocated for more security gathering to resolve security challenges for prosperous and stable society.
He maintained that ensuring peaceful and secured society cannot be overemphasized especially now, during this insurgency period the facing the nation.
In their separate contributions, the Ogun State Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Commandant Idowu David Ojelabi and Commandant of Narcotics, National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Ogun State, CN Ibiba Jane Odili, on the sub-theme, “Stemming the tide of Armed Robbery, Burglar, Ritual Killings, Cultism, Smuggling and Drug Abuse in the Communities”,the duo identified parental negligence as major factor aiding crimes in the society,
Youths were thereafter warned against consumption of illicit drugs especially cannabis popularly known as ‘Igbo’, stating that the agency would not relent in its war on drug abuse until the society is rid of drugs.
In the same development, the Chairperson, Odeda Local Government, Mrs. Folasade Adeyemo, represented by Mrs. Adeniji said security tips should be made available from time to time to community residents as part of efforts to fight insecurities.
The Chairperson, however lauded the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun for his administration’s commitment to providing adequate security for the people of the state, regardless of their tribe, class or religion.
Dignitaries in attendance include: His Grace ,Elder Apostle Jacob Adetokunbo Adeaga: South west Chairman: organization of African instituted churches, Dr Ige Folayinka: the commandant general : National school crime prevention corps (NSCPC), Kabiyesi Oba Morufu Alani Adebayo: The Onitafin of Tafin and Mr Dele Ayodo, General manager of Roots 97.1Fm, Abeokuta.
Others are Chief imam Adesina Arikoserere: Chief Imam of Bode Olude, CIS Yakubu: The Comptroller Nigeria Immigration Service, ASP Folashade Oluwole represented PPRO Nigeria Police Force, Ogun State Command, and CSP Ademola Ijiehin, Represented ACP Ayo Edun , Adatan Area Commander.
More pictures from the Security Summit:
