Oyo Stakeholders Laud Army For Effective Civil-Military Collaboration In Curbing Crimes
•By KAZEEM OYENIYI
IBADAN – Traditional rulers, local government Chairmen, labour union leaders, top government officials, traditional leaders in Oyo state on Friday at Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum organized by the Nigerian Army Headquarters through the office of the Civil-Military Affairs commended the Nigerian Army for exploring the effectiveness of the civil-military relationship in curbing crimes.
The stakeholders’ engagement forum which had in attendance traditional rulers like Okere of Saki, Oba Khalid Oyeniyi Oyedepo, representative of Soun of Ogbomosho, High Chief Kasali Oladipo Yusuf, the Abese of Ogbomosho, Onigboora of Igbo Ora, Sabi-Ganna, Alakinyele of Akinyele, Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress Oyo State Chapter; Comrade Olusegun Kayode Martins, Vice Chairman NLC Oyo State and the state Chairperson of Organized Private Sector,
Comrade Adejoke Victoria Oyeleke among others was held at the Ibadan Civic Center Agodi Gate Ibadan.
In his remarks at the event the Special Guest of Honour, Major General Lukman Omoniyi stressed the importance of the engagement, noting that the scope of security responsibility goes beyond the military and law enforcement agencies alone, stressing that tackling the complexities of our current security challenges calls for collective participation by every concerned citizen.
He said, “Today’s event is geared at promoting collaboration, building trust, and strengthen mutual understanding among critical stakeholders. This Forum themed “Taking the Nigerian Army to the Communities,” is a significant innovation by the Nigerian Army which seeks to provide a platform to exchange ideas, develop practical strategies, and forge lasting partnerships that will enhance the security and development of Oyo State and our dear country.
“I dare say that the successes recorded by the Nigerian Army in tackling criminalities within this State stems from the steadfast cooperation of stakeholders like you. Therefore, I encourage every participant to engage wholeheartedly in the discussions and deliberations, as the outcomes of this gathering has the potential to significantly influence our shared goals for security and sustainable development.
“Let me emphasize that the Nigerian Army remains committed to a community-focused security approach, in pursuit of its constitutional mandates. Therefore, as we are gathered here today, let us all bear in mind that achieving the peace and security we desire depends on our unity and collective action.” Major General Lukman said.
Earlier in his welcome address, Major General Gold Chibuisi, the Chief of Civil-Military Affairs stated that the Nigerian Army in its efforts at achieving national security objectives continues to sustain operational and non-kinetic lines of action, of which this auspicious gathering forms part of our non-kinetic initiatives.
He further noted that the Nigerian Army Key Stakeholders’ Engagement Forum themed “Bringing the Nigerian Army Closer to Communities”, serves as a veritable platform for fostering dialogue and trust between the Nigerian Army and stakeholders at all levels of the society. Thus, it embodies the Nigerian Army’s desire to strengthen partnerships with relevant stakeholders in overcoming the nation’s security challenges while advancing sustainable development.
He said, “Our contemporary security challenges are both dynamic and multifaceted, requiring a collective effort at decimating our mutual adversaries. Therefore, this forum underscores the significance of a military-civilian collaboration in addressing the root causes of insecurity and laying the foundation for a thriving and harmonious society.
The Nigerian Army has consistently demonstrated its commitment to ensuring peace and stability in the South West, achieving significant milestones through the dedication, professionalism, and sacrifices of our courageous officers and soldiers, in conjunction with other security agencies and civilian stakeholders.
This forum therefore, presents an opportunity to further strengthen the partnerships that have remained crucial for us to build trust and deepen mutual understanding. I want to let you know that your perspectives, ideas, and contributions are invaluable in this respect.
Speaking on behalf of the executive local government chairmen, the Executive Chairman of the Egbeda Local Government who also doubles as the ALGON Chairman in the State, Honourable Sanda Sikiru, commended Civil-Military Affairs Department of the Nigerian Army Headquarters for the initiative.
He said, “We want to appreciate the initiative of the program, and as you know, the security issue is not the duty of one person. It has to be jointly handled, If you really want to strengthen the security in our country by extension in the state. So I learned that this program started yesterday with youth engagement, this is a very laudable initiative from the military.
“Yesterday our youths which comprised the social media influencers that were hosted and deliberated about how the security in the state has to be jointly handled. Today again, we have the stakeholders, which I can tell you that the we the local government executive chairman are major stakeholders in the security matters of this state. We also have our traditional rulers who are the custodians of culture and traditions in attendance, all these monarchs were invited for this gathering from all the geo political zones of the state.We have the service chiefs throughout all the security agencies that we have, and everything is just about having a robust deliberation and intervention in strengthening the security of our state which I believe is going to profit us at the end of the whole program.”
Oba Khalid Oyeniyi in his remarks said, “What the Nigerian Army is doing is perfectly in order. I will encourage them to go along that line, we need to know each other better just like somebody rightly said earlier that in those days Army used to be far away to people and if you want to secure people, you need to know them, so this initiative from the Nigerian Army is a very laudable one.”
In his address, the state commissioner for Investment, trade,. cooperative and Industry, Honourable Adeniyi Adebisi commended the Nigerian Army for the vision.
He said, the theme of the forum “Taking Nigerian Army to the Communities” speaks directly to the need for trust, collaboration, and mutual understanding between our military institutions and the civilian populace they so gallantly protect.
“Security is the foundation upon which every other facet of development rests, whether in trade, industry, investment, or community life. Without peace and safety, businesses cannot thrive, industries cannot expand, and investments cannot yield their full potential.”