Security summit: ‘We must secure Ogbomosoland to secure greatness,’ Soun says, as discussants declare ‘another Oriire must not happen’

Security summit: ‘We must secure Ogbomosoland to secure greatness,’ Soun says, as discussants declare ‘another Oriire must not happen’

Femi OGUNLANA

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The Soun of Ogbomosoland His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III has declared that for Ogbomosoland to assume its destiny of greatness security of life and property must be ensured.

This remark was made by the monarch at the Ogbomoso Security Summit and launch of security trust fund held under the auspices of the 25-year development vision, at The Great Hall LAUTECH, Ogbomoso, Wednesday.

Speaking at the well-attended summit, Oba Olaoye Orumogege III canvassed improved security architecture arguing that is a major factor in the drive to make the zone progress in the spirit of the 25-year development plan.

“Our 25-year Develo

pment Vision is about building an Ogbomoso that is prosperous, peaceful, secure and positioned to compete confidently in the world. We must secure Ogbomosoland so that Ogbomosoland can rise.”

The traditional ruler further observed, “Security is not a luxury; it is the foundation upon which development is built,” adding, “We may build roads, schools, hospitals and industries, but if our people cannot move freely, farm without fear, send their children to school safely and conduct their businesses peacefully, our development cannot be complete.”

Noting Ogbomoso is a bastion of enterprise boasting resilient people, he said the recent security challenge has made it imperative to up the ante as far as security is concerned advocating proactiveness, intelligence sharing and collaboration.

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The co-chairman of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs disclosed that a trust fund would be inaugurated which he informed however had had a sum of N24, 350, 000 (twenty-four million three hundred and fifty thousand naira) already being pooled. He urged all Ogbomosos at home and in the diaspora as well as friends of Ogbomosoland to contribute to the fund while assuring of “transparency, accountability and measurable impact in the management of the fund.”

Regards

Also, he charged all to move from “reaction to prevention, from isolation to collaboration, and from vulnerability to resilience.”

Similarly, in his welcome address, Rear Admiral Jacob (rtd), chairman security planning committee, and who is Ogbomoso Land Harmonised Security Committee, advocated community-based security management that promotes collaborative and grassroots efforts underpinning the idea rests on four core principles including participation, collaboration, decentralised problem-solving and accountability.

“Theoretically, community-based security management shifts security from top-down State control to a collaborative, grassroots effort. It rests on 4 core principles, namely: participation, collaboration, decentralised problem-solving and accountability.”

Rear Admiral Ajani praised Oba Olaoye for his efforts especially for his support for community based-security arrangement.

“Consequently, His Imperial Majesty Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye Orumogege III, Soun of Ogbomoso Land has given impetus, urgency and quality leadership to the idea of community-based security in his community.”

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The keynote speaker Usman Ibrahim Biu, fsi, Oyo state Director of State Security Services (DSS), speaking on the theme, “Community – Based Security Management in Ogbomosoland: Issues, Challenges and prospects,” emphasized the need for sustainable security, stressing that all stakeholders must take security as a civil responsibility, and collaboratively.

Biu noted that security is no longer a government thing alone but community based and all encompassing, in which formal security agencies must collaborate with the non-formal security agencies and all segments and groups in the society.

The DSS helmsman as well highlighted proper identification of local security agencies and operatives, just as he emphasized intelligence gathering, widespread enlightenment about security demands and eternal vigilance. He recalled the incident of abduction at Ahoro-Esinele in Oriire local government area last May, noting the people of the communities failed to be observant when some traders began to witness astronomical increase in the volume of their sales.

The DSS Director also identified the need to map out communities in terms of roads, communication, light etc “in order to properly determine the security structure to be designed.”

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He subsequently hailed the rescue of Oriire abduction victims submitting it was a reflection of what could be achieved collectively.

“The rescue of the teachers and students of Oriire local government means we can achieve much if we work together with local people. It shows putting our heads together will help us overcome security challenges.”

This is as Biu charged, “We shouldn’t wait for another Oriire to happen, let’s improve on our security architecture. Ogbomoso will be safe.”

The panel discussants, Ambassador (Chief) Akin Oyateru, Prof Emmanuel Remi Aiyede, AIG Bolanta Adisa (rtd), and CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd), moderated by Dr Olayinka Oyegbile, all agreed on certain fundamental issues in order to achieve the goal of securing the community. Among others they underlined that security should not be left to government alone; the need to form an ecosystem of security personnel and apparatuses for early detection of threats; intelligence gathering and management of information; setting up of community security committee in every village to be constituted by traditional rulers, teachers, students, traders, all segments and other key actors within the community, with emphasis on local people owning security at the grassroots; promotion of local security and adoption of traditional method of securing communities; creation of awareness about civic obligations regarding security; enhancing citizens’ trust in security agencies; this is as the need for accountability and responsibility in the management of resources is highlighted.

The idea of the security trust fund was lauded with the submission that Ogbomoso being the gateway to the southwest (from the north), the security management in the area is of interest to many people. “Ogbomoso is the gateway to the southwest, that is why people are interested in what happens in Ogbomoso.”

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In addition, the idea of state police structure was commended though vesting the power of appointment of the State Commissioner of Police in the federally-controlled Police Service Commission as a provision of the bill was described as an aberration and a shortcoming, just as it was stressed that local governments should be well-funded to really take charge of security, “We must make the local level of governance more effective.”

The moderator and the audience posed some questions to the discussants. One bordered on the mantra of “See something, say something” against the backdrop of the identity of the informant being exposed. Fatai Owoseni responded, “If you don’t trust the police, you have your local government chairman, you have your Baale, Oba or chief, tell any of them. With technology now you don’t even have to show your face,” adding, “We must hold our council chairmen accountable for security at the local level.”

The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) Schools Initiative was also launched at the occasion with the Soun being invested as Grand Patron.