By Salam Saheed
The Oyo State Deputy Governor, Barrister Abdul-Raheem Adebayo Lawal, on Sunday commissioned a number of security and education projects executed by the Irepo LG, assuring residents of the state government’s continued support for grassroots development.
The projects, commissioned under the theme, “A Day of Impact-A Journey of Development,” included an Amotekun security outpost at Sabon Gari Madina, a renovated police post at Adagbangba and blocks of classrooms at Kraal and Budonla areas of Kishi.
Lawal, who was accompanied by his wife, Yeye Ajibike Lawal; the Commissioner for Trade, Investment and Cooperatives, Prof. Abdul-Waheed Adelabu; the Executive Chairman of Irepo LG, Hon. Tunde Taoheed Olayiwola; the APM House of Representatives candidate for Irepo/Oorelope/Olorunsogo Federal Constituency, Hon. Abiodun Oni, and other government functionaries, said the projects were evidence of the administration’s commitment to strengthening security and human capital development.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Amotekun outpost at Sabon Gari Madina, Lawal described the security outfit as an important component of Oyo State’s security architecture, commending the local government chairman for providing the facility.
He urged stakeholders and residents to support the security personnel to be deployed to the outpost, saying effective security required collective vigilance and cooperation.
Lawal said, “Amotekun remains a key pillar in the security architecture of Oyo State. I want to appeal to all stakeholders to support the operatives who will be deployed here. When you see something, say something. Security is everybody’s business.”
He added that the outpost was the first of its kind in the community, while similar security facilities, including police and military outposts, were being planned.
The Deputy Governor also said the government would continue to explore measures to strengthen security around Kishi, particularly because of its proximity to the Kwara State border.
He said, “More development opportunities await Kishi. We will continue to strengthen the security architecture of this area, including the deployment of more security personnel.”
Lawal also spoke on infrastructure, noting that the road linking Sabon Gari Madina was a federal road. He said continued support for the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde would facilitate further development across the state.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Irepo LG,Hon. Taoheed Olayiwola, described the occasion as historic, saying the projects were conceived to provide tangible dividends of democracy to residents.
He said, “Our administration is committed to delivering meaningful and sustainable dividends of democracy to the people of Irepo Local Government. We firmly believe that government must not only exist in offices but must be felt in communities.”
Olayiwola said security remained a prerequisite for economic and social development, explaining that the construction of the Amotekun post was intended to strengthen the presence of security personnel in the community and facilitate rapid response to security challenges.
He said,“Security remains one of the fundamental requirements for meaningful development. No community can achieve its full economic and social potential in an atmosphere of insecurity.
“It is against this background that our administration embarked on the construction of the Amotekun Security Post at Sabon Gari Madina, Irepo Local Government, Kishi.”
He disclosed that the local government had also renovated the police post at Adagbangba to provide a more conducive working environment for security personnel.
The chairman said the council would continue to collaborate with the state government, security agencies, traditional institutions, community leaders and residents towards maintaining peace and protecting lives and property.
At the education component of the programme, Olayiwola said the council had completed a three-classroom block at Kraal, Kishi, as an education intervention project, alongside another three-classroom block at Budonla.
He said, “Education remains one of the strongest foundations upon which the future of our society is built. These classroom projects are investments in our children and in the future of Irepo Local Government.”
He appealed to the benefiting communities to take ownership of the facilities and protect them against vandalism, stressing that the projects represented more than physical structures.
According to him, “Today we celebrate not merely buildings and physical structures, but the opportunities, security and hope that these projects represent.”
The council chairman expressed appreciation to Governor Makinde and the Deputy Governor for their support and participation in the commissioning ceremony.
Also speaking, Commissioner Adelabu urged residents to complement government’s security efforts by providing useful information to security agencies and cooperating with personnel operating in their communities.
The commissioning was also marked by a visit to the newly established Migrant Farmer Basic School in the Kraal Market area, where Lawal expressed concern over the temporary learning arrangement in which pupils were being taught in a tent.
He urged the community to secure a suitable parcel of land for the construction of a secondary school and directed it to conduct the necessary survey and submit a formal request to the state government.
Lawal assured the community that the government would commence the necessary process upon receipt of the request, adding that the proposed school would have laboratories and other facilities required for effective teaching and learning.
The Deputy Governor and his entourage also paid a condolence visit to the Kraal community following the death of a member, which led to the relocation of the school programme initially scheduled to hold at the Kishi Kraal Market to Sabon Gari Madina.
During the engagement, the DG also made reference to the political future of Oyo State, expressing his hope that Makinde would, by the grace of God, become President of Nigeria in 2027.
He called on residents to support the governor, citing the administration’s development initiatives across the state.
The event was attended by representatives of the Iba of Kishi, Oba Moshood Aweda Arowoduye II; Alhaji Tajudeen Tunde Abubakar; members of the Kishi Progressive Union, council staff, supervisory councillors, special advisers, traditional and community leaders, as well as other stakeholders.