Prominent leaders in Lagos have expressed their support for President Bola Tinubu’s initiative to establish state police.
They described the action as a crucial step in the Renewed Hope agenda aimed at addressing insecurity and enhancing true federalism.
At the 10th constituency stakeholders’ meeting convened in all forty constituencies of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Leader of Lagos Central Senatorial District of the All Progressives Congress and Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, along with a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Eti-Osa Constituency II, Mr. Gbolahan Yishawu, praised the initiative.
The theme of the stakeholders’ meeting was “Governance in Action: The Gains of the Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Prince Olusi emphasised that security is fundamental to national stability and highlighted the necessity for governors to be directly involved in ensuring the protection of lives and property.
He noted that President Tinubu’s call for state policing is a return to Nigeria’s historical system of Native Authority police, which provided community-based security.
“Security is very important. If you are not secure, you cannot sleep well or live freely in your homes. That is why the President is urging governors to take necessary actions. There must be a police presence at the local government and ward levels to gather intelligence and act swiftly. State policing is not new; it is a revival of what worked for us in the past, and it will benefit all Nigerians,” Prince Olusi stated.
Contributing, Mr. Gbolahan Yishawu commended the president for decentralising governance and noted that the devolution of power in key sectors such as electricity and transport has already resulted in progress.
He argued that policing should also be decentralised to improve the effectiveness of security measures.
“In true federalism, states should be the drivers of key policies. Just as the devolution of power generation has improved electricity access, devolving policing will enhance our ability to combat insecurity more effectively. Yes, there may be challenges, but the state police is the right path forward. Under Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s leadership, I believe it is not only possible but achievable,” Mr. Yishawu asserted.
He added that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda aims to reshape governance to bring solutions closer to the citizens.
“We can always amend the constitution to reflect the realities of our time. Hope drives change, and with hope, we can build a safer, stronger nation,” he said.
Earlier this week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated that establishing state police is “unavoidable” if Nigeria is to overcome its security challenges.
During a visit from prominent Katsina leaders, including Governor Dikko Radda, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, he emphasised that his administration is committed to tackling insecurity through pragmatic reforms, including state policing.
The event also allowed Mr. Gbolahan Yishawu to reaffirm his commitment to effective representation, highlighting the need for continuous engagement between lawmakers and the communities they serve.
Speaking at the 10th Constituency Stakeholders’ Meeting, led by Speaker Chief Mudashiru Obasa, Mr. Yishawu reminded attendees that legislators are elected to serve the people’s interests rather than their own.
“We are representatives of the people. They elected us to be their voice in the state. We must engage with them regularly, gather their feedback, and report back on our activities,” Mr. Yishawu stated.
He explained that the annual stakeholders’ meeting, now in its tenth year, serves as a platform for legislators to brief constituents, discuss community issues such as child abuse, drug abuse, and security, and solicit fresh input to inform policymaking.
Highlighting his initiatives in education, health, and entrepreneurship, Mr. Yishawu revealed that his office provides one thousand JAMB forms, three hundred GCE forms, and scholarships for students who gain admission to universities annually.
He further noted that vocational training programs, digital skills acquisition, and entrepreneurial support for traders and artisans continue to empower residents of Eti-Osa. “From scholarships to vocational equipment, from youth empowerment to digital training labs, our goal is to provide opportunities for growth and self-reliance. These initiatives ensure that no young person has an excuse not to pursue education or a skill,” he said.
During the event, Mr Yishawu presented financial assistance to fifteen constituents who recently gained admission to higher institutions, some of whom had previously benefited from the free JAMB forms distributed by his office.
He urged residents to protect public infrastructure and hold their leaders accountable, describing governance as a “two-way street” that requires active participation from both citizens and their representatives.
Chairman of the Governor’s Advisory Council, Prince Tajudeen Olusi commended the initiative of the 10th Town Hall Meeting, describing it as essential for engagement with the community.
Reporting by Taoreed Abdullahi