By Yusuf Adua
Today will go down in history as a significant day in the polishing of the security architecture of Oyo state as Governor Seyi Makinde graced the passing-out ceremony of the state’s Pioneer Amotekun Corps after their two_week paramilitary training and declared them ready.
The ceremony which kicked off at about 11:00am brought dignitaries in the political and social class, traditional rulers, government functionaries, local government caretaker chairmen, gallant security chiefs, educationists, teeming Oyo nationals among others to the Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (EACOED) Oyo stadium.
Declaring the occasion open, Pastor Julius Dosumu anoint the gathering with the oil of prayer in the Christian way while the Chief Imam of Oyo land, Alhaji Mas’ud AbdulGaniy Ajokidero, committed the occasion into the hands of Allah.
The chief host of the event who’s also the 1st Chairman of the Western Nigeria Security Network (WNSN) also known as Operation Amotekun, Rtd. Brig. Gen. Kunle Toogun thanked the governor for the confidence he and the other southwestern state governors have in him for giving him the steering to drive the administration of the corp.
According to the Commandant of the outfit in Oyo stare, Col. Olayinka Olayanju (rtd), the Amotekun corp was able to surmount every challenge owing singly to the government support.
In the brief of the provost of Emmanuel Alayande College of Education (EACOED) Oyo, Dr. Razak Adefabi, he lauded the governor for being the first executive governor to visit the college this decade stressing that the last time a governor would visit was fourteen years ago.
He also saluted the governor’s perseverance in the arduous course of establishing the security outfit with governors who are all from the opposition without hesitation .
The ‘Grandfather’ of the Amotekun Corp and the Executive Governor of the state, Governor Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde after watching the corp in action restated that he has always maintained that state policing is the way forward if we truly want the best security framework in Nigeria.
Dignitaries who were present at the occasion include the Speaker of Oyo state House of Assembly, Hon. Adebo Edward Ogundoyin, the chief of staff to the governor, Chief Bisi Ilaka, Honourable Commissioner for Justice (State Attorney General), Prof Oyelowo Oyewo, Honourable Commissioner for Local Government & Chieftaincy Matters, Hon. Funmilayo Orisadeyi among others.
The occasion also had Sen. Monaurat Sumonu, Mr. Fatai Owosweni (former Lagos state commissioner of police & special adviser to OYSG on security matters), Mr. Wale onaolapo, Mr. Sunday Ogunkoya, Chief Omokunmi Mustapha, Alhaji Tunde Ologburo, and others in attendance.
The Commandants of Amotekun Corp in Osun (Gen. A. Adewembi) and Ondo(Chief Adetunji Adeleye) states were also present alongside Mrs. Bunmi Oni(The Iya Amotekun) while the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi ||| was ably represented by The Olugbon of Ile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola, Alabede of Abede Ogbomoso, Oba Mukaila Oyedeji and Prof. John Akintola.
Other high points of the events were the parade and march past by the Amotekun Corp ably led by Cadet Morakinyo Ayobami, the demonstration of different individual skills by the Amotekun Corp Members as well as the invitation of the special guest of honour, Governor Seyi Makinde to inspect the parade.
