Kunle ADELABU
-Ikorodu elites are too stingy, not contributing to development – Otunba Abiru
Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, Chairman of the Ikorodu-Oga Development Association (IKODASS), has pledged the support of the association to the new Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ikorodu Divisional Headquarters, CSP Ifeanyi Ohuorogo, in policing the community.
He gave the assurance when Ohuorogo,accompanied by the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), ASP Olatunde Awotunde and Chieftain of the local vigilance group, Onyabo, Mr Lanre Olabinjo, paid him a courtesy visit at his Ikorodu Town hall office on Tuesday, September 4, 2018.
The visit was part of the DPO’s familiarization tour and visits to stakeholders in Ikorodu since his arrival.
Otunba Abiru, while commending the DPO for the visit, requested that he should ensure adequate security during the forthcoming Ikorodu-Oga Day Celebration.
While also describing the state of police facilities across Ikorodu division as pathetic,he opined that it is the reflection of the attitudes of the elites in the division.
“Your visit to our office is very timely, because we are in the thick of preparation for the 2019 Ikorodu-Oga Day Celebration. We do not want to experience the inadequate security as we did last year despite inviting the police. We hope that you will assist in mobilizing your men in this regard”.
He stated that the association is expecting more tourists and visitors, both within and outside Nigeria, to attend the 2018 Ikorodu-Oga carnival.
“We are expecting more people, both within and outside the country, to attend this year’s edition. This is a follow-up to the state government’s recognition and our own efforts in repositioning the association for better performance.
“We are also counting on you to ensure that the division is well protected and secured.”
Otunba Abiru also condemned the lack of support by Ikorodu elites for developmental activities.
“It’s quite a shame that the police are operating with rickety vans in Ikorodu division and our elites are looking the other way. Sincerely, the state of police infrastructure in the division reflects the nature of our elites”, Abiru stated.
“Our elites are too stingy and they hardly contribute to the development of Ikorodu.
“Though, we rely on contributions by members of this noble association and few public-spirited individuals for fund in prosecuting our programmes, but be rest assured that we at IKODASS will give you support before the year runs out.
CSP Ohuorogo, while responding, stated that his visit was part of his ongoing effort to familiarize himself with the stakeholders and seek their cooperation and support for effective policing of the division.
He also stated that the visit is in furtherance of community-policing strategy which, according to him, is the modern method that is effective and adequate in protecting lives and properties.
“It’s now apt that for the police to succeed in its duty, there must be a synergy between us and our host community. Emphasis is now placed on community policing.
“Police must now close rank with the stakeholders in the community if it want to succeed.
“Community policing is all about police developing strategy for compromise, cooperation, alignment, engagement, understanding and partnership between the police and the community.
“This is the more reason that we are having the Commissioner of Police and other senior police contacts in the public domains for easy access, communication and information sharing.
“Gone are the days when a member of the community cannot walk into the DPO’s office to see him or her. With the decision of the police in the state to ensure that we have effective policing through a better relationship with the community, you now see the Commissioner of Police going out everytime to meet with stakeholders across the state to interact and get feedbacks.
“The brick wall preventing good and harmonious relationship with the community have been broken down and dismantled.
“We are now counting on the locals for information and intelligence that would help us in effefctive policing of their lives and properties.
“For instance, I am a native citizen of Imo State and just been posted from the Gowon Estate to Ikorodu. Where do I know here? But with the help of Onyabo Vigilance Group, a local security outfit that is feared and respected in the community,I am assured of navigating the terrain effectively and successfully.
“I can also count on other stakeholders like IKODASS, PCRC, individuals and others to have knowledge of the nooks and crannies of the town, gather intelligence and navigate the terrain successfully.
“Modern policing de-emphasize gun carrying and brute and places emphasizes on intelligence gathering, civic engagement and cooperation between the police and the community” , the new DPO stated.
CSP Ohuorogo was,however, very disappointed with the state of the policing infrastructures, especially operational vehicles, and solicited for the community assistance through IKODASS.
“We have serious challenges concerning our operations. Our operational vehicles are in very bad state and without them, there is no way we can adequately respond to situations.
“Some of these vehicles are abandoned along the way. While others are parked at different workshops. We need the assistance of the public. The only vehicle we are using now is car donated by Dangote, a man from Kano which we cannot sue for operational activities. We need the intervention of other public-spirited individuals.
“We don’t use to believe DPOs from Ikorodu then when they come to meetings at the Command and complain that they don’t have operational vehicles but now, I can see and confirm the situation myself.
“It was on my resumption of duty that I appealed to our Kabiyesi to assist and it was on that basis that we are able to put back on the road the operational vehicle that has been abandoned at the frontage of Lagos State Civil Service Model College in Igbogbo. We will also be getting another vehicle back on the road very soon through the help of our representative that Mr Olabinjo took me to”, he added.
Others at the parley were Alhaji Kolawole Fatai, the Deputy Chairman, IKODASS, Mr Majee Bisiriyu, Mr Olasunkanmi Azzez, Assistant Secretary, IKODASS and Social Secretary, IKODASS among others.
