Ajeromi dwellers lament poor security

By Lanre Adesanya

Stakeholders in Ajeromi Ifelodun Local Government Area has urged the state Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to scale up on security of lives and property of people in the community.

They made the call at 2nd Edition of the Community Day Celebration at the council secretariat on Wednesday.

According to them, although the governor has done a lot to ensure community development but more attention need be given to security to curb activities of miscreants and hoodlums.

Alhaji Olatunde Balogun, the Chairman, Community Development Committee (CDC),commended Ambode for investing in security and infrastructure, he however,called for more attention on security of the area.

“When you talk of security, we have a challenge because this environment is heterogeneous. Meanwhile we thank the government for the establishment of the neighbourhood watch agency.

“We also want the neighbourhood watchers to be residents of this community for effective policing. Someone from Agbara should not be brought to Ajegunle. ” Balogun said.

The chairman, who urged residents to be security conscious and report every criminal and suspicious movement to the security agencies, added that residents people should desists from blocking drains with refuse.

The community leader, who also commended the governor for giving the community two roads captured in 114 inner routes already delivered, urged the government to empower more youths and cater for the needs of the less privileged.

He said that residents were using today to celebrate God’s Protection and goodness to us after all work this year.

A CDC Women leader, Alhaja Agbeke Onakoya, who called on residents to unite for the growth and development, said all residents should see themselves as one.

Onakoya said, “There is a huge security threat in this area. We know the governor is trying but the road construction should be fairly chosen on need rather than being manipulated by powerful persons on a street to themselves.”

The Chief Imam of the council, Sheikh Kolawole Useni said, “When we have good and progressive communities, the entire nation will be a better place to live. Ambode has interest in grassroots government but he can do more.

“In our community, we need security because all tribes in the whole Nigeria have representation in Ajegunle area. So, government should handle Ajeromi with all seriously.”

He urged all religious leaders to contribute their quota to enhance peace and unity for the progress and development of the area.

A youth leader, Mr Kehinde Arogundade called for more empowerment for the youths and their involvement in contracts executions in the area.

Meanwhile, a former Executive Chairman of the council, Alhaji Kamal Bayewu said the programme was to lift Ajeromi up collectively.

Bayewu, however, said that the current security issues facing the area could only be solved with the cooperation of residents with  security agents.

The former council boss commended Ambode for what he had done in terms of infrastructural development saying, “like Oliver Twist, we are asking for more.”

Chief Shehu Salami, Baale of Ajeromi Ifelodun called for more security presence to stem the tides of youth unrest and cultists’ activities.

Salami, also the Chairman, Chieftaincy in the council, however,  said that the community had received assurance of improved security from the Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni.

He called on the youths and all residents to be good examples and expose criminals.

The event titled: “Community and Its’ Environment” had traditional leaders, community leaders, religious leaders and politicians in attendance.

The event featured varieties of cultural activities and award presentation to individuals  notable achievements in the community.