PROTOCOLS

It gives me a great pleasure and it is indeed a day of joy to welcome you all to this auspicious event. I cannot but give Glory to God for giving us the opportunity to witness this Inaugural Press Conference.

I have the singular honour and privilege, with the blessings of our royal fathers, to formally announce to the good people of Ikorodu Division and the general public of the birth of the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative LTD/GTE (IDPIL/G).

The Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative LTD/GTE (IDPIL/G) is a community initiative and a ‘child of necessity’ birthed by the rising wave in crime and general state of insecurity within Ikorodu Division in recent time, especially the nefarious activities of the cult groups, Land grabbers and some other miscreants.

Consequently and knowing the security peculiarities of the major towns in Ikorodu Division and noting the presence of vigilante groups in these towns, the Royal Fathers in consultation with some respected elders of the community came together to fashion out a body that would unify and coordinate the activities and operational aspects of the Vigilante groups, hence amalgamation of the various vigilante groups in Ikorodu Division into one indivisible Local Joint Task Force after security scrutiny of the selected members. It is now called “Joint Task Force” because their operations are jointly carried out in partnership with officers of the Nigerian Police Force.

Permit me to also use the opportunity of this inaugural press conference to appreciate the passion, selflessness and cooperation of all our Royal Fathers towards making IDPIL/G a reality. Long may you all reign on the thrones of your fore-fathers. The idea was actually the product of good thinking of our Royal Fathers which culminated in the inaugural meeting of 24^th February, 2021 at Ayangburen’s Palace.

We will also like to commend the individual and collective efforts of our Royal Fathers, in partnership with the State Security Service, Nigeria Police Force and other stakeholders, prior to the formation of the IDPIL/G.

For easy administration and better operation of the security operatives and following the existing Local Government/Local Council Development Area structure, the Ikorodu Division Local Joint Task Force was sub-divided into six zones with all the major zones with their operational heads. The zones are:

1. Zone 1 Ikorodu Central
2. Zone 2 Ikorodu west LCDA

• Zone 3 Igbogbo/Bayeiku LCDA

1. Zone 4 Ijede LCDA
2. Zone 5 Imota LCDA
3. Zone 6 Ikorodu North LCDA

It is pertinent to note that, with the composition of the Local Joint Task Force which of course includes members of the Nigerian Police Force, the operations of the LJTF have continued to yield impressive security dividends as the relative peace being enjoyed in Ikorodu Division presently is to the glory of God and the Local Joint Task Force of IDPIL/G which has been operating covertly for months.

For effective service delivery, the LJTF was departmentalized into four, namely, Intelligence gathering, Operations, Logistics and ICT, and Administration, all to be headed by competent officials.

In order to ensure cooperation and amity without which there could not be any tangible success, the operatives were given the free hand to select their officers which resulted in the selection of Chief Lanre Olabinjo as the Commandant-General and to date he has been discharging the functions of his office meritoriously and diligently.

The efforts of the organization are geared towards intervening in the Socio-Economic and Cultural activities of residents and citizens in furtherance of a functional and conducive environment that will create and promote opportunities for self-engagement and enhance business activities, trade, education and commerce.

Very importantly, this security outfit has been operating as one body with one aim and objective which is peace and progress to the entire division in order to change the negative narratives and bad press about the insecurity within Ikorodu Division as a whole. The project is viewed alongside Community policing, to compliment government’s security architecture, for a better Ikorodu Division in sync with the Greater Lagos State Agenda.

Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative LTD/GTE is a divisional product which has the membership of its Board of Trustees cut across the major towns in Ikorodu Division. For purpose of information and record, members of the Board of Trustees are as listed:

1. Odofin Adewunmi Adedeji Ogunsanya SAN –        Chairman
2. Asipa Kaoli Olusanya –        Vice Chairman
3. Chief Mrs Nosimot Adebimpe Akinsola –        Member
4. (Col.) Bolaji Titilola Onafowokan –        Member
5. Rasheed Omokayode Shoderu –        Member
6. Moses Oladunjoye Oyebo –        Member
7. Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru –        Executive Secretary

Members of the Board of Trustees had been carefully composed to include accomplished individuals in their various chosen professions with impeccable character and noble antecedents across the Division.

The Organization itself is structured into four to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

1. Board of Trustees
2. Executive Council
3. The Management headed by the Executive Secretary
4. Committees

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the fourth Estate of the realm, it is with pride I publicly present to you a detachment of the security operatives so as to get you familiar with their outfit in case you see them on the road in the cause of performing their duties.

OUR VISION

To put in place a sustainable local security system and arrangement aimed at complimenting the efforts of governments at various levels and security agencies in ensuring safety of lives and properties, thereby facilitating the promotion of peace and commerce.

OUR MISSION

To continually provide logistics and operational support to security operatives and local security outfits for the enhancement of existing security architecture while promoting peaceful co-existence among the residents by employing the tripod of accountability, transparency and professionalism in the management of the Board’s Funds and in the operation of the security operatives.

OBJECTIVES

• To promote an atmosphere of PEACE, SECURITY & COMMERCE within the Division, through the provision of a robust security architecture and a well-motivated Security Personnel
• To mobilize resources for self-help community-oriented programmes which bothers on refined security apparatus to compliment the conventional Police outfit and operation
• To create arrays of opportunities for Youth development and empowerment
• To monitor, coordinate and regulate the activities of the local vigilante groups within the entire Ikorodu Division, while ensuring their activities fall within the confines of the law of the State and the Nation
• To create a conducive environment, where business, trade, education and commerce will thrive unhindered.
• To partner and work assiduously with Government Agencies, Corporate Organizations and individuals for the accelerated development of Ikorodu Division in all areas of human endeavors.

OUR ACHIEVEMENTS

To this extent, through the activities of various sub-committees, we have been able to achieve the followings;

Approval of Registration: The Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative LTD/GTE (IDPIL/G) has been officially registered and approved by the Corporate Affairs Commission.

Training of Operatives: The organization has in the process also organized a standard training for the men and women and has consulted Nigeria Police College, Ikeja which eventually resulted in the approval of the Inspector General of Police for the training of the operatives

Medical Screening of the Operatives: We have organized a compulsory medical screening for all the security operatives at Ikorodu General Hospital to ascertain their medical and physical fitness before their final enrolment into the LJTF and with a view to using their certificates of fitness in getting necessary insurance covers for the operatives.

Visitation to Our Royal Fathers: The IDPIL/G at the inception had visited all the Royal fathers in Ikorodu Division in order to obtain their blessings and approval. This body has also paid a follow-up visit to all our Royal Fathers within the division for feedbacks and also to intimate them of the official launch of the outfit.

Formation of Local Joint Task Force: We have been able to bring together all the local vigilante groups in Ikorodu Division under one umbrella as Ikorodu Division Local Joint Task Force under the leadership of Chief Lanre Olabinjo and after rigorous administrative and physical screenings, 200 men were shortlisted as operational arm of IDPIL/G and they were arranged into six zones as earlier highlighted.

Procurement of Operational Vehicles, Motorcycles and operational offices: Through our collective efforts, we have been able to procure some Patrol Vans and 50 Motorcycles for the purpose of patrolling the nooks and crannies of the entire Division. Similarly, work is ongoing to establish IDPIL/G Zonal Offices across Ikorodu Division for easy coordination and operations. Meanwhile, pending the time we will sort out our office accommodation, the palace of Ayangburen will remain the temporary office.

Distribution of uniforms and branded T-shirt: Provisions have been made for uniforms, branded T-shirt, Vest, pairs of padded boots, belts, lanyards, and cadet caps for all the approved 200 men of the Joint Task Force for an effective and efficient operations and to ensure uniformity. Several millions of naira have been invested into all these items in pursuance of our efforts to make Ikorodu Division a peaceful place to live and transact business.

Identification of Black Spots: IDPIL/G had been able to identify several security black/flash spots in the entire Ikorodu Division which are daily being monitored by our security operatives.

Collaborations with all Security Agencies: Also, we have been able to review the objectives, roles and training of various unarmed guards with a view to designing relevant operational procedures for the Local Joint Task Force.

Communication Network Design and Operation: We have designed an operational network incorporating walkie-talkie (handheld) and point-to-multipoint radio linking the entire Ikorodu Division to the Headquarter. All of these are work in progress.

Code of Conduct for Security Operatives: The secretariat of IDPIL/G has successfully produced a Code of Conduct pamphlet that would guide the operations of the security operatives. This definitely would make their operations fall within the confines of the law.

Organizing War Against Drugs (WADA) Programme: The Ad-Hoc Committee led by Hon (Chief) Mrs. Adebimpe Akinsola is set to organize a collaborative public enlightenment programme with National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ikorodu Division tagged, War Against Drug Abuse (WADA). This event will come up on Wednesday, December 15^th, 2021 at the Ikorodu Town Hall. The programme will focus more on youths as part of target audience for the day. It is our belief that with continuous enlightenment programme on the danger of drug abuse, the future of our youths would have been guaranteed and secured.

Meeting with Security Agencies, Transport Unions And Market Men And Women: In furtherance of our efforts to ensure that business thrives without any discomfort, the organization invited some security agencies in Ikorodu Division, leaders of Transport Unions and market men and women associations to several meetings in a bid to restore sanity, reduce the menace of crimes happening in different areas across the division; mitigate the incessant traffic logjam, eradicate arbitrary parking and illegal conversion of motor ways and walkways to trading points. All of these anomalies are projecting Ikorodu Division in bad light to the outside world. We will as a body continue to strive for an evolution of an organized community where law and order prevail.

CONCLUSION

From the foregoing, it is crystal clear that, the objectives of IDPILG are to compliment the efforts of governments at all levels, ensuring security of lives and properties. It will also be agreed that security is a collective responsibility which should not be left in the hands of government alone. The intervention of this Body therefore is to ensure that Ikorodu Division becomes a safe haven that would engender economic prosperity of its citizens.

Let me use this medium to correct the erroneous impression of any competition between this body and Local Government Chairmen. We are stakeholders in the security of our environment/ community and therefore the need for us all to work in harmony for the growth of our community cannot be over-emphasized. The Yoruba adage aptly comes to mind here, if a man sees a snake and a woman kills it, the most important thing is the death of the snake. I therefore want to use this medium to call on all our political representatives and chairmen of Local Government/ Local Council Development Areas to join hands with us as the success of our efforts is equally theirs.

In the same vein, it is a known fact that security is an expensive venture. Consequently, I want to appeal to all well-meaning residents, lovers, and indigenes of Ikorodu Division without forgetting the corporate bodies to please partner with us morally and financially. It is axiomatic that business only flourishes where there is peace and concord. I want to use this medium to assure members of the public that money donated for this noble cause of ours will be judiciously spent and accounted for.

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen of the press, it is essential to state categorically that the scope and function of IDPIL/G are multivarious and therefore not restricted to only improvement or enhancement of security architecture of Ikorodu Division. We have only given security prime position because of our belief that without adequate security, no other developmental activity can actually succeed. What I’m saying in essence is that after we must have successfully reduced the incidents of crimes to the barest minimum, we will move to intervene in the education, health and environmental sectors in sequential order and with your support we can all make Ikorodu Division a community of our dream.

Ladies and Gentlemen, at this juncture I must commend the State Government for its unquantifiable commitment towards achieving the current peaceful atmosphere in Ikorodu Division in particular and Lagos State in general. Together our Lagos will continue to be the State of Excellence.

There is no doubt that the Police in Ikorodu are facing serious challenges in terms of human capacity and logistics, but despite these inadequacies, we can not but appreciate their patriotism and perseverance in serving their nation particularly those working in Ikorodu Division. We can with the benefit of hindsight say that the Police in Ikorodu are trying their utmost best under the prevailing circumstances. I need to appreciate their cooperation and support in working with our local JTF in combating crimes in all fronts. We thank you and still expect more from you.

May I therefore use this occasion to appeal to all and sundry to assist the Police in discharging their duties and I hereby call on Federal Government to look into factors militating against optimal performance of the Police with a view to solving them.

Once again, members of the press, it is my pleasure to formally inform you of the existence of Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative LTD/GTE and to let you know that in no distant month I would also have the opportunity to invite you to the official launch of the body.

Thank you and God bless.

Sir (Otunba) Ayodele O. Elesho, KJW.

Chairman, Publicity, Education and Enlightenment Sub-Committee