Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, says his administration plans to engage officers of the Man O’ War Nigeria to assist in providing security and surveillance for primary and secondary schools in the state.
The governor spoke when he received the national executives of the Man O’ War Nigeria on a courtesy visit to his office.
He explained that the recent trend of kidnapping of students, among other security challenges, has become worrisome.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as urging the organisation to double its efforts at the grassroots in order to be able to contribute its quota to stemming the tide of insecurity in the country.
The governor said: “Man O’ War, as an organisation, I know is trying its best. I can testify to the role Man O’ War played during the elections that I participated in as governorship candidate in 2015 and 2019. So, I will renew my commitment in Man O’ War.
“Yes, the nation is faced with insecurity challenges right now all over the place. We have insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West. We have herders/farmers clash in the North-Central zone of the country. And we thought those were far, remote, but now, they are at our doorstep.
“Here also in Oyo State, we have been dealing with kidnapping, farmers/herders clashes and people have suddenly become temperamental.
“Before now, if you were walking on the street, you would see some issues arise and people would settle them amicably.
But now, they will almost kill one another. So, this is a period that Man O’ War will need to double its efforts and look at programmes at the grassroots level where we can project more on the issue of citizenship and leadership for our country.
“In schools, we have discussed with the Honourable Commissioner for Education before now on the issue of security. Some of the schools are not properly fenced; hoodlums hibernate in schools.“I know they have put together a proposal on fencing and having demarcations for all of the schools but this idea of deployment of Man O’ War for security and surveillance is a welcome idea.
“We will look at the proposal and we should be engaging either the national or state Command Team to ensure that this can see the light of day and I think it is something that we will do.”
Earlier, the deputy national commandant of Man O’ War, Gbenga Adedamola, called for the re-awakening of the culture of joining voluntary organisations like the Man O’ War among Nigerian youths to build the spirit of patriotism.