Recently, Pastor Oluwole Alawode, the Caretaker Chairman of Ibadan South East Local Government and the ‘Chairman of Chairmen’ visited the corporate Headquarters of Parrot Xtra Magazine/pmparrot.com. During the brief visit, he discussed the security situation in his local government with our crew members including Oludotun Ajibola, Timilehin Olalere and Lanre Olabisi…Excerpts:
What is your take on the security situation in your local government area?
Talking about the security, it’s a general issue affecting all – even from the federal level but we thank God that the security issue in Oyo State is under control and back to my area, Ibadan South East Local Government, we have been able to curb the crime rate within our environment. We recently settled what could have led to crisis between Ita-Ege boys and their counterparts from Kobomoje.
How were you able to settle it?
Through proactive actions. We brought in the security agencies and we involved the people of the area and we asked all concerned to sign an undertaking and they promised to live in peace within themselves.
Some observers have said that involving the Mogaji’s to talk to those boys will help?
We also involved the community heads, especially the Mogaji’s to talk to those boys. The reasons for involving them is that we realised that the Mogaji’s know most of the boys that foment trouble and the people in their areas very well and I can categorically tell you that this has helped us in curbing the unrest in most areas in our council.
As the Chairman of Chairmen in Oyo State, what report have you been giving the governor on security?
We thank His Excellency, Engineer Seyi Makinde for giving us a free platform to operate. His Excellency has handed over all the security of each local government to the various chairmen and that has given us the privilege to call on security agents anytime. Anytime we have any challenge on security, we also used to call the Governor and this is really helping us in all the local government and the LCDA’s.
Recently we heard that some chairmen and other political office holders have been calling for the release of the boys arrested by the police after being involved in violence…?
That has never been reported to me. That cannot be possible. I have not heard anything like that. Even yesterday, we were at ALGON meeting in Ogbomosho, where we discussed the security challenges in Ibarapa and how something like that can be averted in other local government areas of the State, no one have ever accused any of my chairmen of such behaviour. Why do you think that any of us will come around for the release of arrested hoodlums? We don’t want them around us. We are the ones who said we don’t want people to foment trouble in our environment for the government, so you don’t expect us to be the ones acting like their godfather. We have talked to them through their leaders and Mogaji and if they are not ready for peace, we will ask security agents to pick them up. I can assure you that something of that nature has started in Ibadan South East local government and we will make it too hot for the hoodlums to be able to operate.
People believe that since you were selected by the Governor to run the local government, you will answer only to Governor Seyi Makinde. Have you been given a free hand by the governor to rule in the best way that will help the people?
I’m telling you, that is why the Governor has chosen the best brain to rule the local governments- check out those in charge of all the councils as chairmen, you will see that we are people with high potentials and high capabilities. Check us all out. These are the qualities Governor Seyi Makinde looked out for before we were put in office as chairmen. That is why it took him so long before making the selection and we thank God that as soon as we came on board, we have been able to man the positions very well.
Since he believes in us, Governor Makinde has never undermined us in any of our decisions.
One year down the line, what do you think are your achievements in office?
Security as you have asked is top on our minds, then when you come to my local government you will realise what we have done. We are planning massive empowerment for the youth in Ibadan South East Local Government in few weeks’ time.
Lastly what advice do you have for the people of your local government?
They should please stay safe and beware because COVID-19 is still very much in existence and also, they should endeavor to feed us with information in case they see any strange thing. I assure them that nobody will know the source of the information and, lastly, they should be praying for us.
