South-west Speakers unite to tackle insecurity

In an attempt to tackle the spate of insecurity threatening lives and livelihoods in the country, the Conference of Speakers of South West Legislatures Friday met to profer a lasting solution to the problem in the region.

The maiden edition of the meeting which held in Lagos was presided over by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon.Mudashiru Obasa, who doubles as the Chairman of Conference of Speakers of Nigeria

Obasa in his welcome address as the Chief Host of the visiting Southwest Speakers,nhighlighted issues bothering the peace of the region.

“We are opportune here today to deliberate on Southwest economic and socio-political integration for progress,we know the problems confronting us as a region which includes; kidnapping,theft,arson and herdsmen attacks on our people.

“It is has reach an alarming height and we need to beef up our internal security,all stakeholders in Southwest should collaborate to find lasting solutions to the hydra-headed security problems confronting us.

Obasa also said the idea to establish Special Security offices across Southwest was in the offing, while he urged the federal government to be proactive in securing Nigerian Nationals in South Africa against the xenophobic attacks.

“I urge the Local Government, State and Federal Government to work assidously  to stem the threat to peace.

“There should be speedy action to halt this sad development,we condemn xenophobic attacks in it entirety and we urge our citizens to give peace a chance and not to result to vandalization of their investments in Nigeria in retarliation to South African xenophobia,” he said.

Speaking with journalist at the end of the parley, the Chairman Conference of Speakers of Southwest state Legislatures, Ondo State Speaker, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun cited the need for integration among the political stakeholders in the southwest to evolve even development.

According to him, “We deliberated on a lot of issues – unity, security threats, killings in   South Africa. We condemned it in it’s totality.

“We want peace and unity in south-western states and had robust debate on how we can move our zone forward.”

Commenting on the models of tackling insecurity in the region, Oleyelogun said,”each of the respective Speakers have to go back to his own domain and have discussions with the Governor and meet with stakeholders to fine- tune the way forward.”

On how to fund the proposed special security offices to be established across southwest, he noted that the governors were ready to support security matter.

Present at the parley were; Speakers of Ogun State, Rt.Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, Rt.Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin of  Oyo, Rt.Hon. Funminiyi Afuye of Ekiti, Rt.Hon. Timothy Owoeye of Osun, and some of the principal officers of the respective state Assemblies and their Clerks.

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