Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has urged residents to be more security conscious and promptly report any suspicious movement.
Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday urged residents especially market men and women to be more security conscious and promptly report any suspicious movement around them to relevant security agencies.
She also appealed for understanding and cooperation of the people on the decision of the state government to restrict the operation of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada in certain areas, saying it was important for the provisions of relevant laws to be enforced to sanitize the environment.
Sanwo-Olu said this at the one-day Seminar on Sanitation and Security for market leaders organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, held at the Secretariat of Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Owutu.
Sanwo-Olu, who is also the COWLSO Chairman, said the recent security situation in the country had made it imperative for everyone to be security-conscious and alert relevant authorities in the event of strange developments and movement across the state.
“On security, we should all know that security is everybody’s business. Everyone is a security officer and that includes you and me. Let us be security conscious and when we see something, we must say something. We are in the era of #Sorosoke (speaking up) and we all have to alert the relevant authorities when we notice something strange in our respective areas.
“Yes, there has been an announcement on the ban of Okada (Commercial motorcycles). However, let me reiterate that all Okada people are not bad people. We need to correct that impression but if we notice something, we have to act.
“Security of lives and property is very important. May God guide and lead Mr Governor in the right direction. Lagos is a friendly place; we are accommodating and we love to have people among us. But there is this saying that where there is no law, there is no crime. Just as there are laws in the marketplace, there are laws in the land and those laws need to be complied with at any point in time,” the First Lady said.
She disclosed that the seminar, which is the second in the series, was put together as part of efforts to play up issues around sanitation, security and safety in markets across the state, adding that it was important that hygiene and cleanliness in the marketplace, as well as, security must be taken seriously, going forward.
“Sanitation is very important. Safety in the market too is important. We have to switch off all electrical appliances at the close of business of the day; we have to ensure that our markets are properly administered and that’s why we have come up with this initiative.
“Therefore, I want to urge our market men and women to ensure the cleanliness of your respective markets and also be security and safety conscious,” she said.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Local Government and Community Affairs, Dr. Wale Ahmed said the timeliness of this seminar could not be undermined, especially after the recent inauguration of Lagos State Market Advisory Council (LASMAC), by Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
“This is chiefly one of the efforts of the State Government to make Lagos State a 21st Century Economy and this, no doubt, is a proof that Mr Governor intends to leave no sector or individual behind in achieving the dream of, “A Greater Lagos.
“In our markets, at various Local Government and LCDAs, and in our communities; men and women of different ethnic and religious leanings, dwell happily together, in peace and cordial atmosphere, pursuing their daily businesses,” he said.
Ahmed stated that much as the government was happy for this and would want the peaceful co-existence to continue, the current security situation in the country required that all paid attention to the smallest detail and be very vigilant.
He said this meant also that market men and women must promptly report to the appropriate government agency any suspicious act, capable of causing a breach of the peace.
“It means also, that we must continue to respect and tolerate one another, recognising that we are products of different backgrounds and cherished beliefs,” he added.
The commissioner said the rains are here and that it was time market men and women redouble their efforts at ensuring a consistently clean and healthy market environment.
He stressed that educating market men and women was critical to preventing both pandemics and local outbreaks, saying that its absence would leave all exposed, explaining that when one failed to do the right thing, it would leave them at risk and vulnerable.
Also, Iyaloja General, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Tinubu-Ojo commended COWLSO for the initiative of the seminar, saying the First Lady deserved to be appreciated for her interest in the welfare and wellbeing of market men and women in the state.
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