Lagos community, firm seek partnership to improve security

Worried by the high rate of insecurity and environmental pollution, an Information Technology consulting firm, Gems Consulting Company Limited, yesterday, called for synergy among firms and residents of Oba Akran in Ikeja local council to ensure safety of lives and property.

The firm made the appeal at the commissioning of a donated gate, security lights, Closed Circuit Television (CCTV), and toilet to Obasa Estate, Anifowose, Oba Akran area of Lagos in partnership with the management of the estate.

The firm also constructed a drainage system to improve sanitation in the environment as part of efforts aimed at giving back to its host community.

Speaking during the commissioning, Managing Director, GEMS, Ademiju Aluko, said: “Speaking during the commissioning of the project, Managing Director (MD), GEMS, Ademiju Aluko, said the company took up the project after taking into consideration the importance of making impacts in the society. “We embarked on this project which is part of our Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in line with technology space where we operate. We feel that this will bring development to our immediate community.

“We see the Estate as a stakeholder in the business, however, we have the responsibility to also contribute to the development of the estate so, you don’t wait until everything is perfect so, it’s in the midst of turbulence we still need to make ourselves happy and improve the environment so, it’s something that must be done in spite of challenges. The challenges are not going away in a jiffy, we have to live with them and make ourselves happy and beautify our environment. We go to other places and see green everywhere and we also think we should replicate it in our environment as it’s also a source of happiness and joy and at times make one forget the problems we have.

Making further commitments, the CEO of the company which is also a Microsoft partner in Nigeria, added: “We will continue to partner to ensure that our estate gets the required attention, we will do more to lift the environment.

Speaking on the organisation, he said: “We deploy technology that helps organisations to optimize their resources, scale, grow and help them to be able to streamline whet they do and bring efficiency into their operations.”

Chairman of the estate, Tona Awofeso, said: “Prior to this project, we were having issues with security infrastructure, even our security guards didn’t have toilets to use and at times they had to leave their post, which further posed security concerns. People also converted the drainage system into other uses. It wasn’t the best for the estate security and environment.”

He advised residents to invest in making the community a place of comfort for everyone.

Awofeso said: “People should make their environment worthy of living and make it attractive to drive investment. I know we pay our taxes and expect some things to be done by the government but we know the country we are in. If you want to wait for things to happen, you will wait forever. Firms are willing to help, so people should also reach out.”

Speaking on the award presented to the company, he said: “The award is our own little way of showing appreciation to Gems Consulting and Oshea Projects Limited for the gestures. We are overwhelmed and we are grateful to them. Oshea did not only design, and provided the architectural and structural framework for the project, but also supervised and monitored the project to completion at no cost to the Estate.”