Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has assured the security agencies in the state of his continuous support for their roles in securing the state.
The governor said this on Wednesday while presenting 100 operational patrol vehicles to security agencies in the state.
Governor Makinde said despite the security challenges faced in Year 2023, the security agencies were up to the task to make Oyo State one of the safest in the country.
He appreciated the service commanders for the leadership and motivation provided for their officers, as well as their sacrifices, promising that his administration was ready and willing to support them.
Makinde encouraged the commanders to ensure that their field officers are well remunerated and motivated to give their best to securing the state, adding that his administration would spare no cost to secure lives and property in the state.
In his welcome address, the Special Adviser on Security to Governor Makinde, who also doubles as the Executive Secretary, Security Trust Fund, CP Fatai Owoseni (rtd), appreciated the governor for his commitment and investment in strengthening the security architecture in the state, not only with donation of vehicles but also with the provision of all other necessary facilities.
He noted: “We are here today to witness another landmark achievement. That has been the practice of His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde. All of us were witnesses in 2019 during the celebration of His Excellency’s first 100 days in office, it was a flood of donation of patrol vehicles like this and, thereafter, there have been many donations.
“Why is it always a remarkable event? For some of us that have been in the service before and for some of us that have always known Oyo State, it is the first time that a government in the state will commit so much resources to securing the state.
“Between 2019 and today, the humongous intervention that His Excellency has done with regards to security infrastructure is commendable. I want to sincerely appreciate His Excellency for all he has done for security, for when you provide the enablement, not just vehicles but also all other tools that are supposed to accompany the vehicle, you reduce the response time.”
Responding on behalf of the service commanders in the state, the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, Mr Adebola Hamzat, commended Governor Makinde for his continued investments in ensuring the maintenance of peace and security in the state.
Hamzat said: “On behalf of the security commanders here present, we are saying thank you to His Excellency the Governor of Oyo State.
“I am just about six months old in this state and within the six months, this is the second time I am witnessing the distribution of patrol vehicles by His Excellency.
“The first one was the distribution of pickups, which are very germane to our operations, we got 15 in addition to the eighty-something we had just shortly before I got here, and now we are going to have some new vehicles.
“Thank you so much for what you are doing. On behalf of the Inspector General of Police, the organisation I represent, and all other service commanders here, we promise you that we are going to make maximum use of these vehicles to ensure that Oyo State remains the pacesetter state in security, and our people shall continue to enjoy the benefits.”
The event had in attendance the Deputy Governor, Barrister ‘Bayo Lawal, the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Olanike Adeyemo, the Chief of Staff, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi, the Head of Service, Mrs Olubunmi Oni, commissioners and other top functionaries of the state government.
