- says Army twice saved him from imminent death
The
Governor of Oyo State, Mr. Seyi Makinde, said at the weekend that his
administration would continue to maintain cordial relationship with the
officers and men of the Nigerian Army in order to keep the state safe and
secure.
Governor Makinde, who stated this while speaking at a reception organised in
his honour by the General Officer Commanding, GOC, 2 Division, Nigerian Army,
Major-General Anthony Bamidele Omozoje, at the Tiger’s Den, Adekunle Fajuyi
Cantonment, Odogbo, Ibadan, added that army officers had saved him from
imminent death on at least two occasions.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa,
further indicated that Givernor Makinde thanked the military for its dedication
to the peace and security of Oyo State.
He said: “I want to also specially thank the officers for the good work
that they are doing to keep us safe and secure. To some people, it may be
something new but to me, it is not. I have been saved twice from imminent death
by the officers of this Division.
“The first experience was in 2007 when I was contesting to go to the
Senate. On the day of election, my house was invaded by mobile policemen but I
was rescued by the officers and was taken to Mokola Barracks where I stayed
throughout the election. I did not even vote on the day of election, but I was
happy that I came back unhurt due to the efforts of the officers of this 2 Division.
“Also, in 2015 when I was contesting to be the governor of this state, I
was going to campaign in front of the family house of my opponent. Violence
erupted but the officers of this division took charge and I was rescued unhurt.
So, if I fast-track that to Operation Burst, I am glad to say that anytime we
have them going out for an operation, we sleep peacefully because we know they
will do the necessary things.”
Governor Makinde again commended the Nigerian Army for being organised
and disciplined in their duties, noting that these two attributes of the army
are similar to those of engineering, the profession he belongs.
“I tried to join the Nigerian Army because of two basic things; the
organisation and the discipline. When it didn’t work out, I decided to be an
engineer. There is similarity between the organisation and discipline of the
army and that of the engineering profession.”
He stated that his administration would continue to provide social amenities
for the well-being of all and sundry in the state, adding that he has approved
the renovation of the school in the barracks.
He also promised to extend the second phase of Light-Up Oyo State Project to
the barracks.
“The last time I was at the WASA event, I spoke about two major things;
the dilapidated school in the barracks and the Light-Up Oyo State Project.
Because you have been selfless in taking the wellbeing of the people of the
state as top priority, I have given the approval for the renovation of the
school.
“I also said that the second phase of the Light-Up project will not
continue until we include Odogbo Barracks in it. In the next two or three
weeks, we should approve the second phase, which we will make sure that it
extends to the barracks.”
According to the governor, the new security architecture in the state would
pave the way for Operation Burst to cover all the other zones within the state.
He said: “So, I look forward to us working closely together, especially
Operation Burst. We are trying to cover the whole of Oyo State. Some people may
not know that Oyo State is quite big in landmass. If you join all the states in
the Eastern part of Nigeria, they are not as big as Oyo. So, I want to thank
the officers for being diligent in keeping us safe.
“We still have quite a bit to do to entrench the new security architecture
and, of course, we want the handshake all the way to Oke-Ogun, Ogbomoso,
Ibarapa and other axes too.
“You are also our constituency, because when they were talking about the
central abattoir system, I told them that they should remove the 2nd Division
Barracks from the centralisation, because you have to do your things your own
way. So, this is my constituency and I will always give you special
consideration.”
While speaking earlier, the GOC, 2 Division Nigerian Army, Major-General
Omozoje, thanked the governor for his continuous support for the division while
also conveying the goodwill message of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur
Yusufu Buratai to him.
