From Owen Akenzua, Asaba 

Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori has assured residents  of his administration’s efforts to ensure that crime is reduced to the barest minimum through partnership with security agencies.

The governor made this known when he declared open, the Nigeria Police Force Stakeholders Forum on the Security of Schools in Delta State at the  Government House, Asaba, on Tuesday.

Governor Oborevwori, who was represented by the Secretary to the State, SSG, Dr Kingsley Emu stated that the stakeholders’ forum was an attestation to the fact that security is everyone’s responsibility and that when it comes to the safety of schools and school children, parents and communities have a significant role to play.

He commended the Nigeria Police Force for the laudable initiative to confront the new security threat affecting educational institutions, while noting that it will be a grievous mistake if  security agencies are left alone to carry the task.

The governor called for the cooperation and support of  communities for the success of the Nigeria Police Force Safe School Programme, as they have a crucial role to play in the areas of intelligence gathering, environment surveillance and promptly reporting suspicious activities or persons to relevant security agencies.

He stated that he expects the forum to proffer fresh ideas and suggestions on how to strengthen the Safe School Programme to keep  school children and  communities safe.

In his address, the Inspector General of Police, IGP, represented by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, Zone 5, Mr Solomon Dogo, disclosed that the Safe School Programme is a comprehensive community-based strategy designed to protect schools in the country, empower students and build trust between law enforcement, educators and families.

In his welcome address, the  Commissioner of Police, Mr Olufemi Abaniwanda stated that the IGP set up the School Protection Unit in order to guarantee the safety of students and pupils in schools across the country.

The two-day strategic forum has as  theme, ‘Strengthening Security Resilience and Integration of host communities in the Protection of Education.’

From Richard Akintade, Osogbo

Group of coconut farmers Wednesday urged the Osun State government to collaborate and support their initiative to cultivate 10,000 acres of land for coconut production that can provide job security for 500,000 youths.

Speaking at a capacity building seminar for farmers in Osogbo,  National Coordinator, Knowledge is Power Coconut Growers and Processor Association of Nigeria, Pastor Adewumi Adeyemi, in his keynote address, said the project will create at least 500,000 jobs, ranging from cultivation to value-added product development.

Adeyemi said the gesture, which would create job security, will reduce crime among  youths in the state. 

According to him, “With 10,000 acres of land, we expect to create at least 500,000 jobs, from coconut cultivation to value-added product development. When there is job security in any state, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality will reduce drastically.

“As the name of our organisation implies, knowledge is power  and it is only when you acquire knowledge that you can disseminate information about it. 

“Coconut farming will boost the economy of the state. Today’s seminar is about capacity building and we believe that initially, we need to build structures and prepare to collaborate with the state government for partnership. Through this project, we aim to create job opportunities for young generations. 

‘My advice to the general public is to consider farming, alongside other livelihoods. Planting coconut, in addition to yam, cassava, and maize, can earn us a good living.

“The leaders are knowledgeable about this crop and we can help the state government establish a Coconut Development Association, which can generate significant internal revenue and boost its revenue. Coconut products have immense potentials. 

In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mr Maruf Olawale, who was represented Mr Olatunbosun Idris expressed concern that Nigerians have overlooked the immense benefits of coconut. 

He disclosed the vast potentials of coconut, drawing comparisons with cocoa, a crop that has been widely utilised in the country. 

He lamented that despite coconut’s potentials, Nigeria has failed to tap into its opportunities.

Meanwhile, chairman and organiser of the seminar,  Jayeoba Alagbada stated that coconut farming is one of the most lucrative cash crops across the globe.

Alagbada noted that every farmer will benefit from this opportunity through access to loans from the Bank of Agriculture and Bank of Industry.

Alagbada urged  participants of the maiden seminars to work assiduously to ensure coconut plantation.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the State Coordinator, Comrade Bisi Olaniyan, commended the national chapter for organising the mid-edition seminar in the state, which brings together, experts, farmers and stakeholders to share knowledge and best practices in the coconut industry.

FROM SAMSON ALFA, MINNA

In order to forestall security breaches, Niger State government has restricted the movement of commercial motorcycles and tricycles from 6pm to 6am in Minna.

Governor Umaru Bago announced the restriction on Tuesday at a stakeholders security meeting at the Government House, Minna.

Stakeholders at the meeting include traditional title holders in Minna Emirate and heads of security agencies.

The measure, according to the governor, is a temporary move aimed at addressing the growing security challenges in the state capital.

The governor, who noted that the restriction is with the exemption of medical emergency, said he would not stay back and watch criminals continue to perpetrate evil in the state.

He noted that it is the responsibility of government to ensure the security of lives and property. 

Bago urged district, village and ward heads to always ensure proper documentation of the people they harbour in their domains, warning that any house found to be harbouring criminals would be demolished, while buildings where hard drugs are sold would as well be destroyed.

He called on security agencies to ensure that they clampdown on criminals in their hideouts and their cartels.

Bago also cautioned parents to warn their children as anyone caught in any violent related activity would be arrested and prosecuted accordingly, as the state government would continue to have zero tolerance on thuggery and rascality.