To foster culture of mutual respect in Ekiti State, Governor Biodun Oyebanji, has called for a robust synergy between security agencies operating in the State and youths, describing this as a panacea to simmering crises emanating from alleged brutality being suffered in the society.
Oyebanji said this in Ado Ekiti, on Wednesday, during a Youth, Students and Security Stakeholders’ Engagement convened by the Ministry of Youth Development to foster synergy among stakeholders on security.
Specifically, the stakeholders’ meeting was convened to brainstorm and nip in the bud, some of the alleged harassments of youths and students in Ekiti in recent time, as catalogued by a former student leader, Com Felix Olanrwwaju and other representatives, before it snowballs to anarchy.
To prevent incidence of protest against security agencies in Ekiti as threatened by students and youths, Oyebanji, represented by the Special Adviser on Security Matters, Brig. Gen Ebenezer Ogundana, urged the students to perceive the security agencies as friends and partners and help to expose criminals among their ranks to safeguard the state.
Oyebanji urged the representatives of the youths and students to review activities on the streets and campuses, to ensure that those posing as security threats are exposed and treated with the long arm of the law.
Applauding the security for being zealous about maintenance of relative peace being enjoyed in Ekiti, Oyebanji, however, assured that his government won’t look on and allow youth and students to be harassed under any guise.
The governor said: “Let the students and youths leaders go and tell their colleagues to always respect the law, this is the only way to build a just and violence free society. Let us live together as family members. We all know the criminals among us, try and expose them.
“We know that not all the students and youth in Ekiti are criminals, but if the bad ones are not pointed out and used as scapegoats, then you will continue to suffer unduly. It is not right for you to shield criminals”.
Oyebanji advised the hoteliers operating in the state to be security conscious around their premises, saying their businesses shouldn’t be done at the expense of the security of the populace.
in his submission, the Commissioner for Youth Development, Mr. Adesola Adedayo, saluted the security agencies for partnering to combat crimes and safeguard the lives of Ekiti populace, but insisted that the occasional cases of brutality against youth and students should be halted, for peace and mutual respect to be entrenched in the system.
About the significance of the programme, Adedayo stated that the programme was conceptualised to further raise the safety measures in Ekiti and not intended to diminish their contributions to the peace and stability being enjoyed in the state.
“Every young person deserves to feel secure, valued, and treated justly within the borders of Ekiti. Trust between the community and security forces is the foundation of effective policing”, he said.
Giving an assurance of partnership among stakeholders to rid Ekiti of criminals, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adeniran Akinwale, said his personnel have a statutory duty to protect lives and property and ward off criminals from the state, saying they shall discharge the duty dispassionately.
“Let us be law abiding wherever we are. Let us train some of our students and youths to be really good future leaders. Ignorant of the law is not an excuse. I am giving you an assurance, any of my personnel who misbehaves would not be spared. Don’t condemn the police, but try and understand us.
“Be bold enough to resolve grievances. If you confront the police, you are not helping yourselves. I came here with a purpose, which is to ensure security of lives and property. If you notice any infraction, try and tell us and justice shall be done”.
The Director, Department of State Services in Ekiti State, Dr. Bolatito Olufemi, urged the youths to form a united front with security stakeholders to expose criminals among them, expressing sadness that many of the productive population are involved in drug peddling, internet fraud, cultism, robbery and banditry.
Also lending his voice to the discussion, the State Coordinator, National Human Rights Commission(NHRC), Mr. Oluwaponmile Sodeinde, warned that no Nigerian should demonstrate any action that could infringe on the rights of others, saying this is the best way to have a rancour free society.
The Attorney General And Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Dayo Apata (SAN) and his counterpart in the Information Ministry, Taiwo Olatunbosun, commended Governor Oyebanji for making youth development and job creation a pillar of his administration.
However, they urged the youths and students to be law abiding wherever they are and have means of identification, to avert cases of the brutality and injustice they suffered in the hands of security agencies.
They said the current government will continue to provide veritable and life sustaining opportunities for youth and students to thrive and remain competitive under a 21st century economy.
Present at the occasion are: Chairman, Ekiti State House of Assembly Committee on Youths, Hon Idowu Odebunmi, Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dayo Apata(SAN), his counterparts in Information Ministry, Taiwo Olatunbosun, Intergovernmental Affairs Ministry, Dr. Abdulkarim Makanjuola, Special Adviser on Tertiary Education, Prof Abdulazis Apempe, NSCDC, Ekiti Amotekun Corps, security Chiefs, security agencies, traders, students leaders, National Human Rights Commission, National Youth Service Corps, among others.