By Femi Atolagbe

A non-political organisation, Atunluse Initiatives, has called on the Federal Government, in conjunction with other tiers of government, to declare a state of emergency in the security sector.

The Chairman of Atunluse Initiatives, Otunba Akinsola Akinbobola, made this call during the organisation’s 2025 Love Feast held in Akure, the state capital.

The former Special Adviser to the ex-Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, on Political and Mobilisation, said governments at all levels should engage citizens in the security of the country.

He pointed not only to the failure of the security system but also to a deeper systemic failure of leadership and followership, saying the government must rise to the occasion, stop addressing mere symptoms, and begin to tackle the root causes by engaging the leaders of various ethnic nationalities.

He noted that insecurity has been largely responsible for the high cost of food items, as farmers are unable to access their farms, leading to broken supply chains and deserted markets, which in turn give rise to scarcity, inflation, hunger, and anger.

According to him, “In order to have effective security, it is important for the government to sensitise the citizenry to get involved in the business of securing the nation, with a view to energising and boosting the efforts of the government.”

The Chief Imam of Akure Kingdom, Alhaji Yayi Akorede, in his keynote address titled “Empowering the Less Privileged and Defining Government Influence in Building a Compassionate Society”, commended the group for their commitment to creating an egalitarian society where wealth and the dividends of democracy are distributed evenly.

He emphasised the necessity of inclusive governance and the empowerment of marginalised groups.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the Director-General of the organisation, Elder Sikiru Adetona, highlighted the activities of the group, which include the support for the re-election of the late Governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu; the organisation of a National Prayer Day on March 11, 2021; and a high-powered symposium at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre Hall, Akure, on February 19, 2023, with the theme “Let Our Votes Count”, among others.