Governors in the South West region of Nigeria should declare a state of emergency in order to ensure security in their states.
The Director, Institute for Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan, Prof.Tajudeen Akanji, made the call while speaking as guest speaker at the 4th Surveyor Lasisi Lasupo Ali Annual Lecture.
The lecture is entitled, “Emerging Security Threats, State Stability and Economic Development of South Western Nigeria.”
It was organised by the Nigerian Institution of Surveyors, NIS, and held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Governors of the South West states are Seyi Makinde (Oyo); Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); Dapo Abiodun (Ogun); Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos); Rotimi Akreredolu (Ondo) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).
Present at the event were, among others, the Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Muhammed Fadeyi; Chairman of the occasion and NIS National President, Mr. Adelodun Olaiya, and Surveyor Alabo Charles and Chairman, Oyo State branch of NIS, Surveyor Aderemi Femi Kobiowu.
The South West region, in the last few months, has experienced cases of kidnapping and reported cases of killings by some people suspected to be bandits and armed robbers.
One of such cases making it necessary to declare emergency was the kidnap of Dayo Adewole, a son of a former Minister for Health, Professor Isaac Adewole, at Iroko, near Ibadan.
But, Akanji said one of the panacea to the problem of insecurity which is alien to the region, is “for the governors to declare a state of emergency as a measure to restore peace and security to the region.”
Akanji who indicated that the drivers of insecurity included globalisation which he said had broken down trade barriers between nations, expansion and integration of economies as well as people, also called on the Nigerian government to reorganise its security and military formations by introducing state police as well as addressing the problem of poverty and unemployment in the country.
He blamed the high rate of crime in Nigeria to a number of factors including “the state’s incapacity to forecast and address early warning signals on insecurity.”
“Most of the challenges we face are results of governance deficit.
“Although insecurity is a global phenomenon, the difference between communities and states with security issues is their proactiveness and ability to prepare, forecast, project, confront and recover from the security challenges,” he said.
Ogundoyin in his remarks, said as part of efforts to nip the security challenges in the bud, Oyo State government would soon unveil a new security architecture.
“We have taken security for granted in Nigeria. I recall that while we were growing up, we could move around freely without any fear.
“Oyo State House of Assembly is ready to partner with the Nigerian Institution of Surveyor in all possible ways including ways to ensure security in Oyo Sate”, he said.
The NIS president lauded the efforts of NIS, Oyo State for considering it appropriate to honour Pa L. L. Ali with the annual lecture series, saying the gesture showed the recognition of selfless service and respect “Baba” had for the profession.
Olaiya, speaking on behalf of the L. L. Ali’s family, said Pa Ali’s honesty, discipline and virtues, had constituted lasting heritage which brought about the annual lecture in honour of the celebrant.
Kobiowu on his part, described the 98-year-old Surveyor L. L. Ali, as a collosus in the surveying profession because of his uncompromising respect for the ethics of the job in his active days and therefore he was being celebrated with the annual lecture.
