Oba Of Noforija Kingdom, Others Commend Ambode For New Police Post

Lagos State Gov, Akinwunmi Ambode

By Otunba T.J Abass

Leading traditional rulers in Epe and environs, led by Oba Babatunde Ogunlana (JP), the Aladesehonyin and paramount Ruler of Odo-Noforija kingdom, have commended Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State for building and commissioning a police post for the people of Noforiji in Eredo Local Government Council Area, Epe.

The land upon which the police post was built was generously donated by the Aladesehonyin himself.

The traditional rulers expressed their appreciation last Thursday, at the commissioning where the state governor was represented by the Commissioner for Special Duties and Intergovernmental Relations, Mr Oluseye Oladejo.

The ultra-modern facility has several bedrooms and other amenities that would help enhance the job of policing in the area.

Epe sons and daughters turned out in their number to witness the event, and the line-up of traditional rulers included Oba Babatunde Ogunlana (JP) The Aladesehonyin and paramount Ruler of Odo-Noforija kingdom; Oba Ayodele Aliru, Oba of Poka; Oba Adegboyega Alaketu of Ketu; Oba Mufutau Ogunnukan Adegbajo of Odogbawojo Kingdom and Oba Adegboyega Adefowora Alaketu of ketu, Lagos State.

Others are: Otunba T.J Abass, Olu-omo of Epe Division; Otunba Samuel Ayotunde Dipeolu Babaseye of Odo-Noforiji kingdom; Otunba Aderemi Sekoni Bobagunwa of Odo-Noforiji Kingdom; Otunba Jelili Ogunyomi of Odo-Noforiji Kingdom; Rtd Commissioner of Police, Otunba Damilola Adegbuyi.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, Oba Babatunde Ogunlana described the commissioning as a welcome development, though long overdue.

“We also thank the governor for being in support of that wonderful project. He has always been a governor that takes security of lives and property as important. I just want to commend him and congratulate the people of the community for this great project. This came about because of the developmental projects that we are seeing in Epe now”.

According to him, the police station would serve not only Noforija, but also the neighbouring communities.

“I have been to many police stations, and I am yet to see a police station of this magnitude in terms of infrastructure, in terms of provision of modern amenities, even terms of accommodation for all the officers that would work there; one can imagine the 15 flats, each for a family, fully furnished with beddings and furniture,” Otunba Abass said highlighting the features of the police station.

Oba Babatunde Ogunlana explained that the police post would go a long way in complementing recent developmental strides that Epe had witnessed in the last three years of Governor Akinwunmi Amboda’s administration.

He said the developmental strides in the division, have led to migration shift, whereby a lot of people of different persuasions and character had been coming into Epe.. So, this one is a welcome development and is going to serve every part of that axis, Eredo Local Council Local government Area, including the border town,” he said.

In his speech, the Commissioner of Police Mr, Edel Imohimi, praised Governor Ambode for his commitment to security of lives and property demonstrated.

According to him, the governor’s commitment is proven in the successful citing of a police station in the area, adding that this had tallied with a statement made by President of the United states of America, Donald Trump, in the just conclude International Chief of Police Conference in Chicago that the Police Ruled the World..

Imohimi was represented at the event, by a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Mohammed Ali

He said the essence of siting the police station was to ensure effective security of the community in line with the principles and ideologies of community policing.

He also advised police offices to be posted in the station to have it in mind that they exist for the people and cannot do without the people; to ensure they police with the people.

Hon. Saliu Adeniyi, who is the chairman of Eredo Local Council Development Area expressed the optimism that the coming of the police station would reduce crime to barest minimum in the community.

He also said the commissioning had demonstrated Gov Ambode’s concern for the safety of lives and property of people of Eredo LCDA and Lagosians.

Adeniyi asked every member of the community to see the facility as a source of protection and not of intimidation, and that the police are their friends. He urged that useful information that can help foster safer lives, crime free and peaceful environment should not be kept from them.