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SECURITY: ‘Amotekun will not be controlled by FG’ – Makinde insists
Oyo State governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday insisted that the State Security Network codenamed Operation Amotekun will not be under the control of the federal establishments but the state, as according to him, it is impossible to achieve any meaningful development in an atmosphere of insecurity.
Governor Makinde also declared that security of lives and properties in the state remains extremely important to his government.
The governor stated this while addressing chairpersons of the 68 Local Government and Local Council Development Council Areas in the state, at a meeting held inside the House of Chiefs, Secretariat Ibadan.
“We want our people to sleep with their two eyes closed. Of course, security is one of the pillars of this administration and we must do everything possible to invest in the security of lives and property. In Okeho the other day, armed robbers went to rob and the community rose against them and apprehended them. They combed the forests and they got them.
“This is why I will continue to say it and I am saying it for the whole world to hear; Amotekun is here to stay with us. And it will not be under the control of the federal establishment. It will be under our control. Security of our people is extremely important, because nothing can take place, as far as we are concerned, in an atmosphere of insecurity,” the governor said.
Contained in a statement signed by the governor’s aide, Taiwo Adisa, he further directed the caretaker committee chairmen to immediately go back to their domains to set up Security Committees with a view to tackling the security challenges in their localities.
He maintained that the state government would provide all enablements for them to succeed in the task.
The governor continued, “From where we are here, the biggest challenge we have seen so far is in the area of security.
“We are getting close to the ’ember’ months, a period in which some people who have not worked all year and want to have a Merry Christmas, commit all sorts of crimes. So, we expect that there will be a spike in criminal activities. I want to, as a matter of urgency, urge you that you all go back to your areas to set up your Security Committees. It must be done almost immediately. And I will be happy to release funds; to give approval for you to spend some money on security within your domains.
“Oyo State is very large; in terms of land size, we are more than all the states of South-East Nigeria put together. So, we have a lot to do to protect the state. We have international borders, so there is smuggling taking place. They killed a Customs Official in Saki a few weeks ago; those things are not acceptable to us.
“As the government that is the closest to the people, you have to take control of the challenges of insecurity in your various domains and you should please, once those committees are set up, any enabler that you need, let us know. We will work with the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, to make sure those enablers are provided”.
In celebration of Children’s Day, Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo state has reiterated his commitment to crafting a lasting legacy for future generations.
Embracing the spirit of the occasion, the lawmaker emphasised the importance of investing in the youth as the cornerstone of a prosperous tomorrow.
In a statement on Monday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA) articulated his vision for fostering an environment where children can thrive and excel. He underscores the significance of education, healthcare, and socio-economic opportunities in shaping the trajectory of young lives.
With unwavering determination, the lawmaker pledged to champion policies and initiatives aimed at ensuring every child has access to quality education, healthcare, and a nurturing environment conducive to their growth and development.
Reflecting on his childhood, Oseni stressed the obligation felt towards future generations, emphasising the need to pay it forward by creating pathways for others to follow.
In addition to legislative efforts, the lawmaker actively engages with communities, collaborating with stakeholders to address pressing issues affecting children and families. Through grassroots initiatives and advocacy campaigns, he seeks to amplify the voices of youth and empower them to become agents of positive change in their communities.
As Children’s Day festivities unfold across the nation, he called upon fellow policymakers, community leaders, and citizens to join hands in safeguarding the well-being and prospects of the next generation.
The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has been reinstated, attributing his return to the throne as nothing short of divine will.
Expressing gratitude towards the state government for what he termed a “rescue mission,” Emir Sanusi embraced his reinstatement as a testament to the workings of fate.
The reinstatement came swiftly after Governor Abba Yusuf signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law, paving the way for Emir Sanusi’s return, four years after his deposition by the immediate past governor, Abdullahi Ganduje.
In a reflective moment at the Government House in Kano, Emir Sanusi remarked, “The Arabians used to say that in everything we witness, there is a lesson that shows us that God is there. Whatever happens to an individual is preordained by Allah, and for those who are sensible enough, it’s a lesson.” His words echoed the conviction that his restoration was part of a larger divine plan.
Recalling the cyclical nature of his journey, Emir Sanusi reminisced about the past, stating, “About 10 years ago, in this same place, former Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso gave me my appointment letter as the Emir of Kano. Today, after 10 years, I am here again receiving a reappointment letter from Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.”
He continued with a philosophical tone, emphasising the inevitability of divine intervention in matters of leadership:
“Time will not permit long talks. Whatever we needed to say, we said when we were leaving. We made it clear that God has preordained the time and cause for everything and everyone. He gives leadership to whom He wants and at the time He wants. When He gives, no one can take it away, and when He takes it away, nobody can bring it back.”
Nigeria’s electricity generation has surged to 5,000 Mega Watts in May 2024, marking a significant stride from previous levels, according to the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu.
Speaking during the second day of the ministerial sectoral update for the present administration in Abuja, Adelabu underscored this achievement as a testament to the government’s dedication to bolstering the nation’s power infrastructure.
He emphasised that this milestone aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda, aimed at furnishing reliable and sustainable energy to the populace.
The upsurge in power generation is anticipated to tackle prevalent issues such as frequent outages and inadequate capacity, thereby fostering grid stability and diminishing reliance on generators.
Adelabu had previously outlined the Federal Government’s plans to elevate power generation to a target of 6,000 Mega Watts from the existing 4,000 MW by the close of 2024.
Expressing concern over the over-dependence on the national grid, the minister articulated a different target of 10-12,000 transmission capacity within the next three years.
He affirmed the determination of the Tinubu-led administration to shatter the long-standing 4,000 MW barrier that had persisted for decades before he assumed office as the 47th Minister of Power.
The recurrent national grid collapses have been a pressing concern for Nigerians in recent years. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) disclosed earlier that the country had encountered six power grid collapses in 2024 alone.
Gas shortages for power generation and vandalism of power infrastructure have been identified as the primary culprits behind these recurring incidents of grid collapse in the nation.
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