By: Ade Adeleke
The Executive Chairman of Akoko Northwest local government in Ondo state, Hon. Ayo Akande has rolled out activities for the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the local government.
This is even as Hon Akande expressed appreciation for the setting up of Amotekun Security Network to tackle security challenges and kidnapping by suspected criminals facing border towns in the Northern part of the state.
Akande who specifically commended Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for restoring peace in Akoko land however explained that efforts were ongoing among Ondo and its neighbouring states; Edo, Ekiti and Kogi to work together in curbing insecurity in those troubled border towns.
The Council Boss gave the indications while addressing newsmen at the Cross Creek Golf Club, Akure to usher in the 30th Anniversary Celebration of Akoko Northwest local government scheduled to start on Monday September 20, 2021 in Oke-Agbe Akoko, the local government headquarters.
The weeklong programme will include many activities to celebrate the anniversary.
One of the activities includes an Economic Summit with the theme; “Enhancing Local Government Economic Stability In The Post Pandemic Era –Challenges and Prospect”.
Flanked by traditional rulers in the local government, led by the Akala of Ikaram-Akoko, Oba Andrew Momodu and other members of the anniversary committee, the Council Chairman said “Government resources allocation can not take us to the next level. So we are trying to think outside the box to see what we can do to invite the private sector to join our government to move the local government forward economically.
We have invited seasoned and international resource personalities in person of the Deputy Majority Leader and member representing Akoko-Edo Federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Comrade Peter Akpatason as well as (a retired Permanent Secretary in Ondo state) Dr Deji Akinwalere to come and address us on that day.”
He said sons and daughters of the local government had been contacted and they had shown interest and pledged their supports to develop the local government, urging others to join the train to move the local government forward.
Speaking on the security in Ondo state, Akande said “It is only the deaf and dumb that will not appreciate what the governor had been doing in the state. If not for his position to fight insecurity in the whole state, the story would have been different.
“Thank God for all he had been doing even on Amotekun Corps.
“I must also thank the traditional rulers and community leaders for their support and cooperation to ensure that the state is peaceful.
“Though, some people and media have labelled Akoko land as criminal hideout, I want to tell you that, things have totally changed and tranquility had been restored in the whole land.
“That notwithstanding, we are still having issues with border towns with other states.
“Akokoland has borders with three states to be specific: Ekiti, Kogi and Edo states and by the time the criminals come from those states, they would come into our area in Akoko without notice, strike and move back to their base and security agencies seem not to have power to pursue them to their states.
“We have registered this complaints to the appropriate authority and security agencies for them to strengthen their collaboration with the neighboring states. I want to assure you that matter is being addressed.
On his part, the Akala of Ikaram, said the issue of security in Akokoland is an reflection of security in the country.
The monarch said, “this country as of now is not secured. We have very bad security and it is important that all tiers of government intensify efforts to address insecurity.
“If your neighbour’s house is burning and you don’t rescue in quenching the fire, it might come to your house too. The fire that is burning in the middle belt is already moving south and akoko being in the northern part of the state,we are the first to feel the hit. It is important that the country as whole deal with the security challenges.
“We thank Governor Akeredolu for his efforts to establish Amotekun and in all akoko land,we also have vigilantes in many villages and having them is a sign that there is a failure on the part of the government to protect the people because people are not supposed to set up vigilante.
“It is not only in Akoko, more than 50 percent of this country have similar situation. The security situation is still under control but more needs to be done to prevent it from getting worst,” Oba Momodu said.
