GOODWILL MESSAGE BY THE GOVERNOR, THE STATE OF OSUN, MR. ADEGBOYEGA OYETOLA, AT THE LAUNCH OF AMOTEKUN IN IBADAN ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 9, 2020
PROTOCOLS:
I heartily welcome you all to the official launch here in Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, of the South West joint security outfit codenamed Amotekun.
This joint security outfit is a further fulfillment of the constitutional responsibility of government as the custodian of the security and welfare of the people.
This constitutional role is a parameter for measuring the degree of responsibility and efficiency of government. The swift and prompt manner we the South West Governors have responded to the security challenges ravaging the region, which are offshoots of the nation’s ongoing security challenges is proof that the security and welfare of the people are of prime importance to us.
In the thick of security challenges which were grossly unknown to the South West before last year, we the Governors of the region brainstormed on the way to safeguard and secure the region. We contacted the leaderships of the military and other security outfits. The leaderships of the security agencies immediately deployed their men to the region and the rate of kidnapping, ritual killing and robbery abated.
This collaboration later gave birth to Amotekun, a joint security outfit of five Services, which we are launching today.
I would like to express deep appreciation to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Gabriel Olonisakin; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. GeneralTukur Yusuf Buratai; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu; the Director-General of the Department of State Security Service, Yusuf Magaji Bichi; and the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Mr. Abdullahi Muhammadu, for their prompt response to the request of the Governors of the South West during the period of security challenges in the Zone and for releasing their officials for this assignment.
I thank them for demonstrating leadership and acute patriotism which are impacting on the people who they swore to serve.
Amotekun is a tacit confirmation of the unity among the military, the Police and the other security agencies. Sectorial collaboration such as this engenders the trust and confidence of the people and gives them the unfettered assurance that they are safe in the hands of the security agencies.
This joint security service is in the interest of the people of the South West and humanity as a whole. It is designed to protect their lives, their property and development and they will forever lay it to heart.
Amotekun is about protecting everything the South West stands for, chief among which are its security, development and the rights of the people and these three elements are intertwined.
The manner of prosecution of the Amotekun initiative will therefore have implications and impact on the security, development and the rights of the people. We appeal to the officials of Amotekun to adopt best practices in their operations by protecting the people, their property/infrastructure and their dignity with integrity, professionalism and ethical standards.
The six States of the South West are irrevocably committed to the success of Amotekun and will collaborate with the five services to make it a huge success.
The Olajokun Park situated along Ibadan-Ife expressway, Gbongan, has been designated as the operational base for Amotekun and it has been renovated and equipped.
We would like to use this medium to thank President Muhammadu Buhari for his concern for the security of the region.
We urge our people to cooperate with the officials of the security outfit and to provide intelligence for the successful execution of their assignments.
Thank you all and may God continue to bless and secure the South West and The Federal Republic of Nigeria.
