Lawyer commends Kogi gov on security, tasks him on accidents

Richard Elesho

An indigene of Kogi State based in Germany, Barrister Elizabeth Schule, has commended the state governor, Usman Ahmed Ododo, for his handling of security challenges and prompt salary payment, urging him not to be distracted from making the people the centre of his policies.

Schule, who is also the Erelu of Apata land and diaspora, gave the remarks during a recent interaction with journalists. She said the degenerating security situation in Oworo land was at one time worrisome but noted that the government’s proactive measures have controlled the situation and restored confidence in the citizens.

“Challenges are unavoidable in life generally. One is impressed with the support and direction given to the security agencies like the police, vigilantes, hunters, civil defence, the traditional councils and other stakeholders, which has helped to contain security breaches in the state.”

She noted that the first responsibility of government, as spelt out in section 14 of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution as amended, is the protection of lives and properties, pointing out that any government that does not prioritise this is bound to fail. She said a full restoration of security will boost people’s confidence to pursue their economic dreams.

She called on neighbouring states, including Niger, Nasarawa, Benue, Ekiti, and Kwara, to take a study tour and evolve pair review mechanism on how best to confront insecurity in their border areas.

The Erelu similarly hailed the governor for assenting to the bill, preventing heavy-duty truck movement during the day. She asserted that the far-reaching policy will no doubt reduce crime and carnages on the roads. She tasked the government to also urgently devise additional measures to reduce rampant accidents, which claim the lives of students and other citizens in the Felele axis of Lokoja, the state capital.