Oduduwa News

The Nigerian Army on Thursday applauded the Administration of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola for its commitment to the security of lives and property of the citizens.

The nation’s military also lauded the Administration for its timely support for security agencies, particularly officers and men of the Nigerian Army operating in the State.

This is even as the Governor reassured of the Administration’s determination to ensure timely and prompt support to security agencies in the provision of modern security apparatuses to enhance their service delivery.

Speaking during the courtesy visit to the Governor, the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division of Nigerian Army, Ibadan, Major General Gold Chibuisi, said the Nigerian Army remains committed to partnering the State in its efforts to strengthen the security of the State and to protect the lives and property of the citizens.

Chibuisi who led other top military officers to Osun said he was fully aware of the unparalleled commitment of the State government to raise the bar of security in the State and maintain its status as the most peaceful State in the country.

The new GOC who said the senior military officers were on a familiarisation and thank you visit to the State, said the visit was imperative in view of the numerous support and cooperation the Division particularly the Engineer Construction Command situated in the State have been receiving from the government over the years.

“I took over on the 11th of March this year and it is important that I take a tour to all the formations and units in the Division. This is in line with the position to move in the direction of the new leadership of the Nigerian Army led by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Attahiru Ibrahim.

“We recognised that there are stakeholders that we need to interface with and one of those is the State authorities, so I felt it was very important to pay a courtesy call to the Executive Governor of Osun as part of effort to further let government know that the Nigerian Army remains fully committed working with the states especially in matters of security to ensure that the good people of our land are law-abiding and they go about their lawful businesses without any harassment.

“I have been briefed by the Commander, Engineer Construction Command, who is physically present here, and he had told me of the immense support he had got from your government. I have to put it on record that your government has been very supportive to the Nigerian Army.

“We are very grateful for your timely support and we know that this synergy with the state government and indeed with other stakeholders in the state have gone a long way to ensure adequate security in the State.

“On our part, we are supporting other security agencies, particularly the police to further enhance the security in our land hence the need for our soldiers and the personnel to discharge their duties professionally, efficiently and in accordance with the rules of engagement ascribed to military norms.

“Your Excellency, the purpose of this visit is to thank you for all you have been doing to keep the State safe, peaceful and secure for the citizens, particularly for finding time out of your tight schedule to receive us,” he added.

In his remarks, the Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, appreciated the high sense of commitment and dedication of the officers and men of the Nigerian Army to security in the State in particular and Nigeria as a whole.

Oyetola who expressed delight at the visit said their presence was a confirmation of the fact that the government had kept faith with its commitment to strengthen the bond of relationship between it and the security agencies, particularly military.

“Let me first of all congratulate you on your appointment as the new GOC and I welcome the team of Generals to our State too. Thank God that, from all indications Osun remains the most peaceful State in the country, and we couldn’t have achieved that without your support as well as the support received from other security agencies in ensuring that we maintain peace.

“I must also thank you most sincerely for providing the right leadership at all times, particularly your prompt and prominent role during the Endsars protest to maintain peace for us. I must commend you and appreciate that. So also, the Chief of Army Staff for ensuring that the peace of the State is not compromised.

“We are always willing to work with security agencies. That is why we formalise regular support for the security agencies, particularly the military because the rate of insecurity is on the increase virtually across the country.

“So, for this, we shall continue to need you, particularly at a time the issue of kidnapping, banditry among other criminal acts are on the increase. We will need more of your support to put an end to the influx of illegal miners in our State.

“We need your assistance in that direction because regular forces might not be able to cope with the level of influx because it has been discovered that the illegal migrants have access to virtually all our roads. We need your support to be able to flush out all criminals coming into our State in disguise for mining.

“We are desirous of development, and this can only be achieved in the atmosphere of peace. We welcome people who want to do legitimate business. We are very friendly and we are very accommodating, but if the peace of the State is being threatened by illegal migrants, then, we must ensure that they are flushed out and this can only be achieved through collaboration with security agencies.

“I want to appeal to you to further strengthen your collaboration with other security agencies to be able to flush out those threatening our peace in the State and by extension, the country as a whole. I must thank you once again for your past support and I want to assure you that the kind of existing relationship between the State and the Service would be maintained,” Oyetola added.

Those in attendance at the courtesy call included Deputy Governor, Mr. Benedict Alabi; member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Wale Adedoyin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Dr. Charles ‘Diji Akinola; Head of Service, Dr. Olowogboyega Oyebade; Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs. Funke Egbemode; Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Ismail Omipidan; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mrs. Abiodun Ige.

Other top military personnel in the GOC’s entourage were Commander 2 MIB, Brig. Gen. A. Adanogu; Commander Engineer Construction Command (ECC), Brig. Gen. N. Yakubu; Commander 42 EB, Brig. Gen. I.E Ekpeyong; Commander 2 Division Provost Group, Col. E.E Egoche; So2 G1/G4, Major M. Anzaku; 2 Div APR Offr, Major I.O Iweha and Aide De Camp, Lieutenant A.O Taiwo.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has emphasized the need for positive projection of Nigeria’s culture and image to the outside world by the players in the nation’s entertainment industry.

This is just as the Speaker stressed the need for the combined efforts of patriots working together to make real the vision of a prosperous and peaceful country.

According to Gbajabiamila, players in the nation’s entertainment industry, popularly known as Nollywood, have a critical role to play in not only shaping the society for the better but also influencing how the nation is viewed by the outside world through the content of their trade.

A statement by his Media Adviser, Lanre Lasisi, said the Speaker made the call in his address at the opening of a two-day Leadership Master Training for Nollywood Celebrities and Stakeholders under the platform of Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN) in Abuja on Friday.

He said, “Beyond the questions of economics and profit, there is the issue of the critical role of Nollywood in influencing culture, defining national character, and promoting national identity.

“You also have a responsibility to tell the best stories of our beloved country. I do not propose to turn you into cheerleaders for a Nigeria that does not exist. But the stories of men and women thriving through adversity and innovating for prosperity needs to be told, and it falls to you to tell those stories.

“I hold in my heart a fundamental belief that our highest aspirations for Nigeria can only be achieved by the combined effort of patriots working together to make real the vision of a prosperous and peaceful country”.

To emphasise the importance of Nollywood to the nation’s socio-economic development, the Speaker noted that the entertainment industry in Nigeria has grown to become a critical part of the economy.

He, however, stressed that by addressing the challenges confronting the industry, much more can be achieved, saying, “With adequate investment, a supportive regulatory environment, better training and capacity development, Nollywood will grow beyond our present dreams and surpass our highest ambitions.

“It falls to all of us, in government, in the private sector and across society to identify the ways we can help the industry reach the heights we all know is possible”.

Gbajabiamila said the training was apt, particularly at this moment in the national history when the challenges we face require leadership, creativity and innovation in bounds.

“One of the other reasons this event is especially timely is that it provides an opportunity to answer the question of how to rebuild the industry after what has been a difficult year.

“Additionally, we can lay the groundwork for future collaboration and acquire the leadership resources that will stand the industry in good stead for the future,” he added.

The Speaker also assured the actors of his continued support for the upliftment of their trade towards ensuring that the industry continues to contribute to the socio-economic advancement of Nigeria

Earlier, House Minority Leader, Rep. Ndudi Godwin Elumelu, expressed delight at the event, noting that “The much needed strategic multisectoral efforts to guarantee the desired rebound and repositioning of the movie industry in Nigeria, though long overdue, has begun”.

According to him, the country’s movie industry, more than any other social platform, remains critical in the moulding of the character of members of the society, especially the youths, women and children, as well as the outside world seeing the nation from the plots, setting and narratives of the movies.

He said it is incumbent on the Guild to be deliberately nationalistic in what they produce to the world.

“Our films must deliberately promote our unity as a people as well as encourage actions that spur mutual understanding, harmonious co-existence and forcefully show our quest for a peaceful society where economic and social activities thrive”, he added.

The two-day event saw the convergence of Nollywood actors across the country in Abuja for the training.

Oduduwa News has gathered that thousands of women drawn from Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico, United Kingdom, Papua Guinea, Venezuela, Spain, France, and other countries on Wednesday visited the Ooni of Ile-Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, in his palace to canvass for the creation of Yoruba Nation.

The women who were clad in traditional rural attire including body wrappers and beads, under the aegis of Obinrin Oodua Agbaye, stormed the palace of the Ooni of Ife on Sunday.

Details later.