Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday, said that the “Light Up Oyo project” embarked upon by his administration has enhanced security architecture and boosted the economy of the state.
Makinde, who stated this at the Executive Council Chamber of his office, while receiving delegates from the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, led by Air Vice Marshal Ebenezer Alade, appreciated the them for choosing Oyo State as one of the states to carry out their research tagged, “Enhancing Natural Security Through Social Economic Development.
A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the governor quoted the governor as saying that his government was looking towards resounding successes in its four, key pillars which includes, health, education, security and economic expansion through agriculture value chain.
The statement further stated that the governor reiterated his administration’s plan to keep supporting the security agencies in order to reduce crime to its barest minimum in the state.
He said: “Yes, we are taking as many people as possible off the streets as far as the security situation in Oyo State is concerned. You can go out at night to see what we are doing about the light-up project.
“And what we have done is just about 30 per cent of what we are supposed to do on the project. And I assure that we will attain 100 per cent on or before Christmas.
“That has assisted the security agencies to go out freely. They can see well ahead of them and can plan. “We have done over 250km of street lighting within the state,” the governor said.
He added: “During the era of the Western region, we’re lucky that they set up farm settlements and what we have done now is to begin the process of upgrading them to farm estates, and we are also doing that.
“The last pillar is security. If you notice, we share an international border with the Republic of Benin. So, everything that is happening in the Sahel has the potential of getting into Nigeria through the border. Before we came in, there was nothing like Amotekun but we set it up, which is our security outfit meant to collaborate with other federal security outfits.
“We have had our own fair share of one-off security challenges but we have been able to react adequately. Few weeks back, there was a jailbreak at Abolongo Correctional facility in Oyo. We lost 3 personnel but we were able to quickly stay on top of the situation and bring everything under control. So, that is the main focus.
Earlier in his remarks, the Commandant, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Air Vice Marshal Ebenezer Alade, said the tour of the eight states of the federation is an annual ritual program and part of the school Curriculum, that allows the students to carry out various research across the states.
Air vice Marshall Alade noted that security in this era is beyond human security which requires more of social welfare and human development to reduce crime.
“We are on a study tour to Oyo State to meet with His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde. I want to appreciate the state for the warm reception as well.”
