THE Nigerian Armed Forces on Monday applauded the Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, over the commitment of his Administration towards rapid socio-economic development in the State.
They gave the commendation during a courtesy visit to the Governor in his office, at the Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, by members of the Senior Course 43 of the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji, Kaduna State.
The Director of the Nigerian Armed Forces Department of Land Warfare, Brig. General Adetokunbo Fayemiwo, who led the AFCSC team, said their experience in the State has further confirmed Oyetola’s commitment to improving the standard of living of the people of the State.
Fayemiwo said the Administration had also demonstrated strong passion for adequate security of lives and property of the citizenry as reflected in the sustained peace and stability in the State.
He maintained that the love of the Administration towards keeping the State and the residents safe at all times was evidenced in the hands of fellowship and overwhelming support he has consistently been giving to the security agencies, particularly officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Fayemiwo who appreciated the warm reception given to the members of the team, pledged the continued support of the Armed Forces to sustaining the peace for which the State is known.
“Our experience so far in the State has confirmed your commitment and passion towards creating the right atmosphere for socio-economic growth and development as well as enhancing the living standards of the good people of the State of Osun.
“I assure you that all that we have heard today and the outcome of our study in the coming days, would be put to use in the course of our research, and indeed, as we progress in our careers”, he said.
Speaking on the purpose of the visit, Fayemiwo said the Senior Course students came to Osun to understudy the effect of the global coronavirus pandemic on security, which is the current issue in the world.
“The students of the College are visiting eight States which are Osun, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Imo, Jigawa, Kano, Rivers and Taraba States. The students are currently undergoing the college tour.
“AFCSC is an institution where we have Army, Air Force and Navy serving together for the purpose the institution had been established for. The AFCSC is providing junior and senior leadership training, military education and core practical education for armed forces.
“In this case, the students of Senior Course are attached to topical issues affecting the nation and in this circumstance, we looked closely at current issue of pandemic, and how it affects the national security, in line with this year’s theme: ‘Pandemic and National security: COVID-19 perspective’.
“The tour will afford the students opportunity to carry out primary research and have the opportunity to get first-hand information and opportunity to ask questions and make contributions.
“Since Osun is one of the selected States, this will help us to get our report from the State so as to be able to do our analysis on the topic”, he added.
In his response, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola appreciated the military for their loyalty to the State towards securing the lives and property of the residents, adding that the ”State is happy with the growing partnership between us and the Nigerian Armed Forces.”
He said the government had since embarked on a journey towards revamping the health sector just as he explained the administration’s efforts at curbing the spread of Coronavirus in the State.
“Permit me to appreciate the Nigerian Armed Forces for their non-kinetic collaboration and unflinching security support at all times.
“Your theme for this Tour is indeed apt considering the devastating effect of the Coronavirus pandemic globally.
“As a state, the pandemic took its toll on us, like in other States. However, our proactive measures helped significantly in mitigating its effect on our people.
“For an appropriate holistic response, we constituted a central coordinating committee headed by myself with a delegated authority to my Deputy, alongside inter- ministerial committees to take charge of key aspects of our response to the crisis.
“Thankfully, we rose to the occasion with an aggressive public advocacy programme and containment strategy, with the active support of some of our renowned medical professionals.
“We were also firm in imposing total lockdown that paid off in no small measure in helping us to restrict the spread of the virus.
“Also, the worth of our sustained investment in public health revitalisation came to the fore, especially around Ejigbo where the crisis broke out as a result of the return of our citizens and those of other states from Ivory Coast.
“Our proactive handling of the Ivory Coast returnees averted a major pandemic and earned us encomiums from Nigerians, the NCDC and other notable organisations.
“Looking back, I must say that our broad-based and inclusive stakeholder engagement helped in no small measure in tackling the first wave of the pandemic. For instance, we are among the first States to set up a Food and Relief Committee, involving eminent citizens of our State across political and religious divides.
“In all, I am happy with what we have done so far. We will continue to draw worthy lessons from the experience,” Oyetola added.
