The Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Civic Engagement, Princess Aderemi Adebowale, has said that collective effort remains the best way to tackle security challenges in Lagos State.
Princess Adebowale stated this during an Awareness/Sensitisation programme with the theme: “Safeguarding Our Communities, It Begins with Me”, organised by the Office of the Civic Engagement, in collaboration with Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps (LNSC) at Adeyemi-Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.
The Special Adviser maintained that to strengthen security and greatly reduce crime at the grassroots, all residents must be involved and ready to contribute their quota.
She said: “It is in order to strengthen security and greatly reduce crime at the grassroots that we are gathered here to engage on the amendment of the Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps Law 2020. It is necessary that everyone must have an input in the amendment of the operational law of our community policing outfit”.
Princess Adebowale commended the efforts of the members of the Lagos State House of Assembly in modifying the Corps’ Law 2020 in view of its function as a community security outfit, adding that all residents irrespective of position, profession and religion, should not leave the job of security for the outfit alone but assist them with relevant information.
Her words: “The need to modify the Corps’ Law 2020 becomes imperative in view of its function as a community security outfit. The Corps is designed to provide a second layer of policing in order to ensure that all communities in the State are well-secured. Therefore, every contribution that is made at this gathering today will go a long way in assisting the Neighbourhood Corps to become better and stronger”.
“Our convergence here is a demonstration of the Sanwo-Olu administration’s conviction that collective security is the best approach towards tackling security challenges in our dear State. Collective security guarantees the security of everyone in a given society and operates on the philosophy of being your brother’s keeper. Collaboration is key to tackling security challenges in the State. See something, say something and do something immediately”, the Special Adviser said.
In his address, the General Manager, Lagos State Neighbourhood Safety Corps, Prince Ifalade Ajasa Oyekan, explained that the Corps operates in all the local governments and local council development areas in Lagos State, majorly to complement the work of the Nigeria Police in maintaining peace and order.
He added that other functions performed by the Corps involve gathering information about crime and making such available to the Police among others.
Prince Oyekan also appreciated the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for being a listening leader who takes the security of lives and property of the residents and people of Lagos very important, urging all residents to rally around and support the Agency in carrying out its statutory duties effectively and efficiently.
Also, the Executive Secretary, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr. AbdulRasaq Balogun, commended the efforts of the Lagos State House of Assembly in amending the Corps 2020 Law, just as he implored all and sundry to be their brothers’ keeper and support the community efforts to check crime.
Members of CDA, CDC, transport associations, okada riders, local vigilante groups and many others attended the event.
