Oloka: OCC hails Gov Makinde, Soun, charges on extension of one key initiative to Ogbomoso

Image caption: Soun of Ogbomosoland Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye (left) with Oyo state governor Engr Seyi Makinde at Oloka January 16

Oloka: OCC hails Gov Makinde, Soun, charges on extension of one key initiative to Ogbomoso

Yinka ADETUNJI

The Ogbomosoland Consultative Council (OCC) joined others in sending commiseration message to the families of the victims of the recent Oloka banditry attack and the community as a whole. It condemned the incident which it described as tragic and shocking and prayed for the repose of souls of the victims. This is contained in a statement signed by its two coordinators, Major General Oladayo Popoola (rtd) and High Chief (Dr) Saka Balogun.

This is as the association urged that the Oyo state government to make Ogbomoso an agricultural hub in terms of improved agricultural production and establishment of agro-allied industries.

It will be recalled that suspected bandits recently opened fire on men of the Nigeria Park Service working as forest guards at the Old Oyo National Park killing five and causing extensive damage to their residence. The shocking incident generated angry reactions from Nigerians with many empathizing with the victims’ families and calling on government to improve security situation in the area.

On Friday, January 16, the Oyo state governor, Engr. Oluseyi Makinde visited the community along with some members of his cabinet, security service commanders and traditional rulers including the Soun of Ogbomosoland Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, the Onpetu of Ijeru, Oba Sunday Oladapo Oyediran and others, during which he expressed sympathy and made various offers to cushion the effect of the attack. The apex group hailed Governor Makinde for deeming it appropriate to visit the place in person to commiserate with the community and victims.

In the message signed by its coordinators, Major General Oladayo Popoola (rtd) and High Chief Dr Saka Balogun the group noted that “The visit of His Excellency, the Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, on Friday heartened us immeasurably. It is a demonstration of good leadership and a reflection of a government borne by empathy. We appreciate this on behalf of the people of Ogbomoso. Also, we note all his promises with commendation. They are germane and we pray God will give him the grace to fulfil them in earnest.”

Acknowledging the efforts made so far, OCC further charged the state and local governments to address insecurity in the area as a matter of urgency to enable peace and economic activities thrive just as it called on the citizens to furnish security agents with useful information on suspicious activities in their areas. “We equally commend the valuable contribution of Operation Burst and Amotekun, the two state security outfits. We acknowledge that security is a collective responsibility that deserves the support of all through provision of credible intelligence to security agencies and effective collaboration of local vigilantes who are custodian of indigenous knowledge of the community and environs. It should be noted that without security there can be no development.”

Meanwhile, OCC hailed the agriculture initiative of the present administration calling on it to extend the gesture to Ogbomoso zone too. “We commend the agribusiness projects of the Makinde administration in Oyo state, it is a vital tool to alleviate poverty and promote economic development, especially in the rural areas. We therefore call on the state government to extend this laudable initiative to the five local government areas in Ogbomosoland, the areas possess vast areas for agricultural production and agro-allied businesses to add value to raw agricultural produce, stimulate economic activities and create wealth.”

It prayed such unfortunate incident like that of Oloka village would not occur again.