Ondo Assembly pledges support for security initiatives, community devt

By Precious Oluwole

The Ondo State House of Assembly has reiterated its commitment to strengthening security initiatives and promoting community development across the state.

The pledge was made during a visit by members of the House Committee on Security and community development to the office of the Senior Special Assistant on Security to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, Olugbenga Atiba, the Ondo State Community and Social Development Agency (ODCSDA),Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project(RAAMP), and the Directorate of rural and community development.

Chairman of the Committee, Olatunji Ifabiyi, who led the delegation, assured that the Assembly would continue to work hand in hand with the executive to ensure the safety of lives and property. He noted that security remained a top priority for sustainable development, adding that the committee was ready to provide the needed legislative backing to strengthen security operations in the state.

While commending Atiba for his efforts, Ifabiyi charged him to step up interventions against insecurity so that the people of Ondo State could feel more protected.

Other members of the committee, including the Vice Chairman, Primate Oluwatoyin Allen, Honourable Felix Afe, Chief Abiola Oladapo, Princess Olawunmi Fayemi-Obayelu, Alhaji Sulaiman Murtala,Tope Agbulu commended Governor Aiyedatiwa for appointing a capable and resourceful aide to oversee security matters. They described Atiba as an experienced hand and expressed readiness to partner with his office in tackling challenges such as kidnapping, cultism, and banditry.

In his response, Olugbenga Atiba thanked the lawmakers for the visit, assuring them of his office’s openness to collaboration. He stressed that the governor had placed top priority on security as a foundation for economic growth and social stability, while urging all stakeholders to support the collective quest for peace across the state.

The committee also visited the Ondo State Community and Social Development Agency (ODCSDA), where Ifabiyi explained that the interaction was aimed at strengthening collaboration and ensuring programmes aligned with government priorities.

During the meeting, the Permanent Secretary of ODCSDA, Mr. Bosun Ogundipe, explained that the agency was established in November 2009 to facilitate World Bank–assisted projects aimed at improving access to development in communities.

He highlighted that the agency’s core objective is to empower communities by expanding access to improved social, natural resource, and infrastructure services for sustainable development.

He disclosed that the agency had facilitated projects across the 18 local government areas of the state in sectors such as health, education, transportation, electrification, and water supply. He noted that the projects had been largely successful due to the agency’s community-driven approach, which promotes empowerment and ensures local ownership of initiatives.

At the Directorate of Rural and Community Development,the Committee pledged collaboration with The office to ensure improved service delivery and sustainability of community-based projects across the State.

The Committee Chairman said the meeting became necessary to enable new members of the committee interface with the Permanent Secretary and departmental heads for better understanding of the agency’s operations.

He explained that the committee was focused on identifying areas of partnership to enhance the effectiveness of the Directorate, stressing that their mandate was to listen, understand and prepare reports that would guide engagement with higher authorities.

“We recognise that challenges exist everywhere, not peculiar to any single ministry or agency. That is why we want you to share with us your challenges. True success comes when obstacles are surmounted. Our prayer is that this agency will continue to triumph,” the chairman said.

In his response, the Permanent Secretary, Directorate of Rural and Community Development, Mr. Thomson Akinkuotu, highlighted the role of the agency since its establishment in March 2017 after it was carved out of the defunct Ministry of Community Development and Cooperative Services.

According to him, the Directorate was created to synergise the efforts of the people with that of government, development partners and donor agencies in order to improve the socio-economic wellbeing of citizens, particularly in rural areas.

He explained that the Directorate’s mandate includes ensuring equitable distribution of social infrastructure, addressing poverty and strengthening community institutions to stem rural-urban migration through sustainable local economies.

Akinkuotu further disclosed that the Directorate works closely with the World Bank-assisted Ondo State Community and Social Development Agency (ODSDA) and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP) to achieve its objectives.

Outlining the framework of its operations, the PS said the Directorate anchors its activities on five key concepts: provision of social and basic infrastructure, rural business development, renewable energy, community extension services and strengthening of community institutions for sustainable livelihoods.

He emphasised that the Directorate’s vision is to build resilient, vibrant and livable rural communities, while its mission remains to establish strong institutions and infrastructure that will empower citizens to live, work and thrive in dignity.

Also,at RAAMP,the Management highlighted their activities and said the program is a World Bank-assisted initiative in Nigeria designed to improve rural road infrastructure and enhance access to agricultural markets for rural communities.