• Launches agency for mobilisation, appoints Morunkola Thomas as DG
• Admits police not adequately funded, criminals are three steps ahead of NPF
Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, yesterday, lamented that there is hunger in the land, stressing that the issues of local council autonomy, return to the old National Anthem and other non-essential issues should not be the priority of the country but how to make the country more productive to engender economic development.
Makinde stated this during the opening ceremony of the operational office of the Oyo State Mobilisation Agency for Socio-economic Development (OYMASED) at the Executive Chamber of the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, the state capital.
The governor maintained that the country must prioritise economic development, saying that there could not be production without mobilisation.
He said OYMASED would play a big role in the social, economic, political and environmental mobilisation and sensitisation of the people.
He said when the fundamental issues are addressed, economic development could be engendered.
The governor added that the agency would use the carrot-and-stick approach in carrying out its sensitisation and advocacy mandates.
He, therefore, appointed Dr Morounkola Thomas as the Director-General of the agency.
In another development, Makinde, yesterday, said that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is facing a critical issue of inadequate funding, calling for immediate action to address the pressing security challenges facing the nation.
He stated this during a two-day retreat organised by the Police Service Commission at the IITA House in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
Makinde, who was represented by his deputy, Bayo Lawal, lamented the alarming situation where criminals seem to be three steps ahead of law enforcement agencies, emphasising that the reverse should be the case.
The governor stressed the need for increased support from the National Assembly and the Federal Government.
In his remarks, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by Amos Yahana, emphasised the crucial role of civilian oversight in promoting transparency, accountability, and public trust within law enforcement institutions.
