By Adekola Afolabi

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The leadership of the Yoruba Socio-cultural group, Afenifere has applauded the Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu for his various efforts at protecting the lives and property of the citizens across the State.
The group which particularly commended the governor for the establishment of the Western Security Network Agency codenamed Amotekun Corps, revealed that government could hardly succeed without the security of lives and property of the citizenry.
The Afenifere delegation led by the Secretary-General, Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa, gave the commendation yesterday when he led the State chapter of the group on a courtesy visit to governor Akeredolu in Akure in his office.
The Afenifere leader equally applauded Governor Akeredolu for the payment of WAEC fees, saying the governor’s gesture would greatly reduce the financial burden on parents.
Arogbofa who encouraged Governor Akeredolu to continue to beef up security across the State, described Amotekun Corps as the forerunner of the state police and charged the Governor to keep the flag flying.
“We didn’t know that things would turn out that way but through your doggedness, the successful story can now be told,” he stressed.
The Afenifere leader called for domestication of cattle ranching as obtainable in Akunnu and Auga settlements in the state to further end frequent clashes between herders and farmers.
The group while congratulating the governor on his second term victory at the recent governorship election and the successful inauguration also lauded him for his various achievements in his first term.
The group used the visit to invite the Governor to the 70th anniversary of the group even though it would be celebrated in a low key and state by state in view of COVID-19 pandemic. The group was founded on March 26, 1960 by Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Adekunle Ajasin.
He described Afenifere as a pan socio-cultural group where both politicians and non politicians could be found, just as he advised the state government to partner the group for the betterment of the state.
Responding, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu who appreciated the roles played by the group in the creation of Ondo State described the security of citizens as number one responsibility of every government.
Governor Akeredolu however suggested modern equipment to enhance Amotekun operations as well as a multi-level policing to tackle upsurge of criminality in recent times.
The governor who also believed in restructuring promised to engage more hands in security, saying the region would continue to remain as Nigeria while pressing on its inalienable rights.
Governor Akeredolu pledged to encourage ranching and haulage of cattle instead of rearing cows which was already a moribund means of animal husbandry.
On the resuscitation of defunct industries in the state, Governor Akeredolu said production would soon commence in most of the affected industries.