Security attracting investors to Ondo, says Aiyedatiwa

…as Army plans artillery regiment in Ikare-Akoko

By Tolulope Eniola

Ondo State Governor, Hon. Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, on Wednesday, attributed the growing interest of investors in the state to improved security, saying investors were increasingly seeking land for agriculture, agribusiness and the blue economy.

Aiyedatiwa spoke when the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General A.G. Mahmuda, paid him a courtesy visit at the Governor’s Office in Akure.

The governor said Ondo had been adjudged one of Nigeria’s safest states, attributing the feat to the combined efforts of the government and security agencies, particularly the military and the state’s Amotekun security outfit.

He said reports and experiences of investors already operating in the state had encouraged others to come.

“Today, investors are approaching us left, right and centre, wanting to come to Ondo State, looking for land in the area of agriculture and agribusiness, in the blue economy. So we have a list; we don’t even have enough land to give to them,” he said.

Aiyedatiwa said the state government had continued to provide logistics support to security agencies, including Toyota Hilux vehicles, noting that the military had also benefited.

He said his administration would sustain its support for military operations because security was critical to the state’s development.

The governor commended the Army’s operations nationwide, saying troops had significantly curtailed banditry in areas under the 2 Division.

He cited operations in Kogi and Kwara states, where he said bandits had been decimated and forced to flee areas they attempted to overrun.

He also recalled the rescue of teachers and pupils abducted from schools in Oore, Oyo State, after being held for weeks, saying the operation resulted from the combined efforts of the military and other security agencies.

According to him, Ondo State almost faced a similar security challenge, but the presence of the military and Amotekun prevented the bandits from operating in the state.

Aiyedatiwa, however, said the security challenge was not over, stressing that the military still had considerable work to do to guarantee the safety of Nigerians.

He commended military operations in the North-East and other parts of the northern region, saying the presence and activities of troops, alongside President Bola Tinubu’s political will to confront terrorism and banditry militarily, had contributed to the successes recorded.

The governor called for the further strengthening of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) with additional personnel and equipment.

He said the FOB had been effective and significantly enhanced security in the area, but added that additional support would improve its operations.

He said the state government was ready to engage the Chief of Defence Staff and Chief of Army Staff, where necessary, to secure the required support.

On the proposed new formation, Aiyedatiwa assured the Army that the state would provide land for the regiment.

He said the government would determine the required size from the Army’s plan and identify a strategic location for the permanent barracks.

Speaking earlier, Mahmuda said his visit was part of his familiarisation tour of formations and units within his area of responsibility.

The GOC, who assumed office about a month ago, said the tour had been delayed by the Osun State governorship election, during which the Army was deployed to secure several locations.

He said the election was conducted peacefully.

Mahmuda thanked Aiyedatiwa for the support and assistance provided to military formations in Ondo State.

He disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, holder of the Nigerian Army Medal, had approved the creation of additional divisions, formations and units across the country to expand the Army and strengthen its response to contemporary security challenges.

He said Ondo State was part of the expansion, noting that, besides the recently established FOB at Owena, an Artillery Regiment would soon be established in Ikare-Akoko.

Mahmuda appealed to the state government to provide a temporary location for the regiment to commence operations and subsequently allocate land for its permanent barracks.

He said the new formations were intended to tackle security challenges by eliminating them or reducing them to the barest minimum.

In attendance were the Deputy Governor, Dr Olayide Adelami; Secretary to the State Government, Dr Taiwo Fasoranti; State Chairman of the APC, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde; Chief of Staff, Prince Segun Omojuwa; Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, Chief Olugbenga Atiba; and Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication and Strategy, Barr. Allen Sowore.