US Pledges To Assist Makinde In Fighting Insecurity In Oyo

The United States of America (USA) has pledged to assist Oyo State Government in curbing security challenges.

Naija News reports that Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier asked the foreign country to assist with all the necessary help to better the lives of Oyo State residents and create an atmosphere where businesses could thrive.

The state’s Deputy Governor, Chief Adebayo Lawal, called for help on behalf of Governor Makinde on Monday when he received the new US Consul-General, Williams Stevens.

The deputy governor expressed concern over the insecurity challenges faced in the state, which is becoming endemic in Nigeria.

Lawal said Oyo state would welcome whatever technology was required to combat the menace.

“Initially, we thought we could localise this security issue, but it has become a hydra-headed phenomenon. We must give it to you that if you choose to assist, you can be deliberate, and we will encourage you to assist and partner with Oyo State Government in the area of security,” he said.

Lawal said that on efforts made so far to address the insecurity, “We know security is key, and we have deployed a greater percentage of resources into security development.

“Since the inception of this administration, we have put in place an outfit called ‘Amotekun’ to complement the efforts of our conventional security outfits – Police, Department of State Security and others that are national in nature.

“Amotekun is domesticated, localised and goes into the nooks and crannies of our communities to ensure our environments are safe”.

The deputy governor further stated that the state government also wanted a partnership with the U.S. in the agriculture and health sectors.

He maintained that government would strengthen its partnership to deepen a mutually-beneficial relationship on business, entertainment, technology and good governance, among others.

However, he stressed that the state government was looking forward to using the opportunities and mutually-beneficial partnerships with the United States to better the lives of Oyo State residents and create an atmosphere where businesses could thrive.

Responding to the Oyo State Government’s request, Stevens said his country was poised to improve economic relationships and bilateral trade and work with Oyo State to combat crime.

Stevens also said the US was partnering to prioritize agriculture, health, and security, among other initiatives. He lauded the state government for doing well in healthcare delivery, noting that the state’s parameters on HIV prevalence are already ahead of some countries.

Meanwhile, Stevens added the United States would partner with Oyo State and the Federal Government in combating transnational crimes and ensuring the security of residents’ lives and property.