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Oyo State Government has urged residents to put aside their faith, political and ethnic affiliations and forge a common front towards defeating various forms of criminal activities that pose serious threats to the state.
In an interview on King 103.9fm, Ibadan, on Saturday, the Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, said that unless insecurity was collectively and roundly tackled, development and peace would be threatened.
The commissioner, however, sounded a note of warning to those who have vowed to threaten the peaceful coexistence and cause crisis in the state, saying the state government has started tackling security challenges facing the state.
According to him, Oyo State Government is quite aware that without tackling insecurity, investors will not come to the state, which will not give room for job opportunities.
“As a state, we need prayers particularly at this time where we are facing a lot of challenges especially security,” he said.
Speaking on the state’s security architecture, Olatunbosun asserted that the state government has commenced engagement with non-state actors and relevant stakeholders, including all religious leaders whose roles at ensuring peace returns to the state can not be overemphasised.
He stressed that Oyo State is on the verge of economic redemption as being executed by the Governor Seyi Makinde led administration, stressing that activities in the state can not be grounded by insecurity.
Olatunbosun appealed to residents of the state to be involved in the security of their areas by reporting criminal elements within their communities.
On health, Olatunbosun said Oyo State Government is making concerted efforts to establish primary health centres at each ward in the state before 2023.
He added that the state government is presently rehabilitating hospitals across the state, assuring residents of Soka area of Ibadan that government will ensure speedy completion of the abandoned community health centre.