Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, don talk say late former governor of di state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, lay di foundation for Nigeria evolving security architecture. E talk say Akeredolu push for State Police and decentralised policing na wetin set di stage.
Aiyedatiwa yarn say di late governor advocacy for restructured security system don move beyond regional talk. E don become central issue for Nigeria national policy and constitutional discourse. Di governor tok dis one for colloquium inside Ibadan to mark Akeredolu 70th posthumous birthday. Di theme na ‘Fundamentals and Governance of State Policing: Towards a New Architecture for National Security in Nigeria.’
He call Akeredolu ‘My Oga’ and describe am as selfless public servant. Aiyedatiwa say di late governor legacy na courage, convictions and commitment to causes wey serve public good. E remember Akeredolu service as Attorney-General of Ondo State, President of di Nigerian Bar Association, governor of Ondo State, chairman of di South-West Governors’ Forum and chairman of di Southern Nigeria Governors’ Forum.
According to Aiyedatiwa, Akeredolu combine intellectual rigour, legal scholarship and commitment to justice. Him advocacy for true federalism pass rhetoric. Aiyedatiwa recall say when insecurity challenge public confidence, Akeredolu and other South-West governors respond by setting up di South-West Security Network, wey people sabi as Amotekun Corps. E say di initiative show why communities and authorities wey close to di people suppose get meaningful role to protect lives and property.
Di governor cite recent operation wey Ondo State Amotekun Corps reportedly join Department of State Services, Nigerian Army and other security agencies to confront suspected Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists for di state forests. E say di operation underscore importance of local knowledge, intelligence gathering and community participation to tackle insecurity. Aiyedatiwa add say Amotekun initiative, wey start as response to farmer-herder conflicts, don grow into broader regional security intervention. E say im experience don strengthen argument for State Police and security architecture wey suit Nigeria diverse security challenges.
Aiyedatiwa talk say President Bola Tinubu don show commitment to move State Police proposal from public debate towards institutional reform. But e stress say establishment of State Police must come with credible recruitment, thorough vetting, professionalism and accountability to ensure public trust. E talk say best tribute to Akeredolu na Nigeria wey safer, more federal, just and responsive to citizens needs. E add say such country go get security system wey grassroots realities inform, intelligence wey dem gather before threats escalate, and communities wey actively dey involved for their protection.
Di governor pledge to sustain Akeredolu legacy. E note say e don continue projects wey im predecessor start, especially road projects wey dem discuss for Executive Council meetings. E say Akeredolu work with understanding say im successor go complete projects wey e no finish during im tenure.
For im keynote address, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, talk say Nigeria need extra 554,353 police personnel to meet United Nations-recommended police-to-citizen ratio. Abiodun, wey chair Nigeria Governors’ Forum Committee on State Police, call for comprehensive reforms to make decentralised policing effective, sustainable and accountable. E say di colloquium suppose move beyond commemorating Akeredolu life to address reforms wey need to strengthen security and governance. According to am, Akeredolu understand say security dey closely linked to economic development and also lay groundwork for South-West Development Commission. ‘A secure region is a prosperous region,’ Abiodun talk, adding say Amotekun don show value of community intelligence and rapid response for tackling security threats. E talk say Akeredolu advocacy help build broader national support for State Police. ‘The seeds Aketi sowed have matured into a national consensus,’ Abiodun talk. E note say all six geopolitical zones don recognise need to reconsider centralised policing structure.
Former Ekiti State Governor and former chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Kayode Fayemi, describe Akeredolu as courageous defender of vulnerable people wey consistently speak truth to power. Fayemi talk say late governor na man of many parts wey fit relate with elite and ordinary citizens, combining seriousness for public affairs with playful personality. E recall Akeredolu involvement for music and social activities, including singing for choir, appearing at Kegite shrine and dancing to songs by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Femi Kuti and Orlando Owoh. According to Fayemi, Akeredolu political philosophy centre on common good and pursuit of policies wey bring joy to greatest number of people. E also recall Akeredolu role for Southern Governors’ Forum, where e advocate rotation of presidency to South despite political party differences.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, describe late governor as courageous voice for interests, dignity and security of South-West. Sanwo-Olu, wey Lagos State Secretary to State Government, Salu Hundeyin, represent, talk say Akeredolu view leadership as responsibility rather than privilege. ‘Aketi may no longer be with us, but his example remains. His voice may have fallen, but the cause for which he stood continues to speak,’ na wetin e talk.
Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, also praise Akeredolu determination to confront insecurity. E talk say im efforts contribute significantly to establishment of Amotekun. Oyebanji, wey Secretary to Ekiti State Government, Habibat Omolara Adubiaro, represent, talk say Akeredolu join other South-West governors across party lines to challenge insecurity despite opposition from Federal Government. E urge governors for di region to deepen regional integration and call on South-West Development Commission to pursue ambitious projects wey fit transform di region instead of limiting interventions to small-scale initiatives.
Director-General of DAWN Commission, Seye Oyeleye, talk say Nigeria no fit rely solely on centralised police force wey Abuja control, given di country population and security challenges. Oyeleye talk say Amotekun don show potential of state and regional policing to complement existing security arrangements.
Akeredolu first son, Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu Jr., describe im father as courageous advocate of justice, human rights, political freedom and accountable government. E recall im father involvement for student activism, im legal career, participation for June 12 pro-democracy struggle, 2012 fuel-price protest and im campaign against insecurity.
