The Ondo State Government on Tuesday assured the Nigerian Army of continuous collaboration in its effort to protect lives and property of residents.
The Acting Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, stated this in Akure while playing host to Maj.-Gen. Valentine Okoro, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 2 Division of Nigerian Army.
Okoro assumed duty on Thursday as the 44th GOC of the 2 Division of Nigerian Army, Ibadan.
Aiyedatiwa said that the support of the Nigerian Army was part of the success stories recorded in securing lives and property of residents of the state.
The acting governor noted the that security of Nigerians could not be done by a single security outfit, hence the need for the creation of the state security outfit, Amotekun Corps.
Aiyedatiwa, who described the Okoro as a fine gentleman, urged him to let the collaboration continue so that the residents would be able to sleep with their two eyes closed.
“The state need more collaboration, the security challenges we are facing in Nigeria can’t be sorted by only one security outfit.
“With our home grown security outfit, Amotekun Corps, and in collaboration with the Army and other security agencies, Ondo State has been adjudged to be one of the safest states in Nigeria.
“The military is part of the story.
“The military are solidly behind us and we have been supporting the military in our own little way and we will continue to do that and we will continue to support you in our own little way too,” he said.
Earlier, the GOC said since his assumption of office, the 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Cantonment, Akure, was the first point of familiarization visit.
Okoro, who described the division as the largest in Nigeria, said the visit was to know the operational activities of the artillery and know their challenge, and where to come in.
The GOC said he was happy with the report on the level of collaboration the state government had with the Army in the state.
“It is the largest division of all the divisions in Nigeria. To hit the ground running, l’m conducting a familiarization visit to the operational activities of the brigade and to know their challenges and how we could come in.
”They made me to know the support and collaboration the Army is getting in the state and to thank you, and also considering that Army’s work in today’s environment is to make sure that Nigerians sleep with their two eyes closed.
“It is a collaborative effort that all citizens must also participate and provide timely information about their environment to security agencies.
“I solicit for further collaboration and to make sure we achieve our mandate in Ondo State,” he said.
