…NGO: Osun is under siege of criminals, political violence
By Smart Omorogbe
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior, Dr. Shuaib Belgore, has advocated that Nigerians should walk at least 2 hours every day to help the heart and breathing in healthy condition.
Dr. Belgore, has reputation of over 20 years in practice as a Medical Personnel and a successful heart surgery patient for over twenty years.
While branding the Ministry of interior as a fitness-oriented one, he added that the Ministry will not hesitate to entertain future invitations from charitable organizations that ensures well-coordinated exercises.
The Permanent Secretary made the disclosure at the inaugural “TITI Memorial walk for Heart” 5km health walking and jogging which took off from the Unity Fountain to the National Eagle Square, in Abuja, even as he said that the exercise was organised by the TITI & KIKI Foundation in collaboration with the Ministry.
He commended Mr. Tajudeen Yusuf, a member of the House of Representatives, founder of the foundation who named the foundation after his late wife and son who lost the battle against heart diseases.
At the occasion, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, was represented by Mr. Sada Agara, President of the Karate Federation of Nigeria, and Dr Ibrahim Shehu, President of the Athletic Federation of Nigeria were also present.
Dr Stephen Olorunfemi, Messrs. Francis Agbo, House Committee Hon. Rimamoide Shawulu, Asst. Corp Marshall Oladele Clement; Hon Fred Agbedi. Directors and senior officers from the Ministry attended the event.
Vital checks were taken by Dr Usi of the Port Health Services from the Public Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Health.
Titi & Kiki Memorial Foundation was founded by Hon. Tajudeen Ayo Yusuf (TeeJay) on the 2nd of November, 2020.
Since its establishment, the foundation has supported with funding the completion of a reconstructive heart surgery with (special implants including mechanical heart valve and tricuspid ring) for a troubled patient at the Cardiovascular Department of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), this was as contained in a statement signed by the Director of Press in the Ministry, Mrs. Blessing Lere-Adam.
Meanwhile, the Coordinator, Centre for Social Justice and Public Interest Protection, Mr. Akin Akanji, has alleged that there has been an unprecedented rise in criminal activities and political violence in Osun State.
He said: “Armed robbery, bank raid, ritual killing has become everyday affair in Osun. We have all been devastated by the killing of a student of Obafemi Awolowo University, Timothy Adegoke Oludare, in Ile-Ife in the hotel he paid to lodge in.
“This is more than a week after the sad and despicable incident, yet not a word from the state government.
“No effort to seal the scene of crime, no word of consolation to the family of the victim and no effort to assure the people of the state of the safety of their lives and property.
“The government has shown no interest in a gruesome murder carried out within its territory, just like other crimes that have become a daily occurrence in the state.
He also alleged that banks and financial institutions have been under relentless siege of bandits and armed robbers in which policemen, customers and bank staff had been killed like fowls.
“From Ikirun to Osun boundaries in Kwara and Ekiti States, all banks and financial institutions have shut down. Criminals now reign supreme in the state.
“In Osogbo, thugs being coordinated by a road transport union leader, acting at the behest of the state government, have held the people hostage in the most barbaric fashion. Insecurity has returned to Osun on full scale.
“The armoured personnel carriers and other patrol vehicles with which the previous administration of Aregbesola secured the state have fallen into disuse and ruin.
“This is because the state governor does not want to touch anything that can be linked to the Aregbesola administration because of the crisis between them. The absence of any security infrastructure and any interest of the state government in security have emboldened criminals who now write to residents of the state of their coming and eventually carry out their threats with impunity.
“We are calling President Muhammadu Buhari and the Inspector General of Police to save us in Osun and help us on the security of lives and property.” Akanji, said.
According to him, instead of addressing the insecurity challenge in the state, the administration would rather apportion blames to a caucus of his party, even when those people had fallen victims of political attacks from its camp.
“We observe that if urgent action is not taken, the opposing camp in the APC in Osun State may be eliminated as they reported and this will result to further break down of law and other in the state.” He added.
