Barely two years after the strategic intervention of the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative (IDPIL) in the security situations across Ikorodu Division, through the launch of the Ikorodu Division Local Joint Task Force (LJTF), efforts of the body has now been recognized by the prestigious Institute of Criminology and Strategic Studies (ICSS), through the induction of the IDPIL Board of Trustee Chairman, Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN) and that of the body’s Executive Secretary, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru as Fellows of the institute.
The Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative (IDPIL) was also accepted into the Corporate Membership category of the Institute at a private investiture ceremony held in Ikorodu on Wednesday.
Conferring the fellowship and Corporate Membership awards on the honourees, on behalf of the Chairman, Governing Council of the ICSS, Dr Ade Abolurin, Registrar of the body, Dr Adekunle Adeniran noted that the conferment ceremony was special as the body only host such events twice a year.
He however, explained that the strides of the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative and the dynamic leadership being provided by Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN and Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru compelled the institute to organize a special investiture / award presentation event for them.
The formal pronouncement of the IDPIL as a Corporate Member of the ICSS by the Registrar was greeted with resounding applause from IDPIL Members and some selected guests.
‘We formally accept Ikorodu Peace Initiative (IDPIL) into the Corporate Membership of the Institute of Criminology and Strategic Studies (ICSS)’, he said.
He also stated that the the ICSS is peopled by eminent Nigerians comprising of accomplished Academics, Royal Fathers, Retired Security Experts among others.
He expressed delight that Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN) and Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru would be joining the institute’s pool of notable Nigerians who are fellows of the institute.
Adeniran noted that the IDPIL will benefit immensely from the Institute’s wealth of experience in the area of Intelligence Gathering, which he said would assist the IDPIL Local Joint Task Force, (LJTF) in securing Ikorodu Division and by extension, Lagos State at large.
He however, lamented a lack of understanding about crime by most Nigerian security operatives who according to him, still employ kinetic crime management style, through the use of force and weapons in tackling crime. He however stated that conventional crime management now requires intelligence gathering, forensic analysis and the study of prospective criminals.
The Registrar concluded by reeling out some of the functions performed by the Institute, which includes, Professional Training, Research, Professional Networking of all security bodies, among other activities.
Responding, on behalf of himself and Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya (SAN) who was unavoidably absent and was represented by a Board of Trustee Member of the IDPIL, Dr Moses Oladunjoye Oyebo, Otunba Abiru expressed appreciations to the Governing Council of the ICSS for finding him and Odofin Ogunsanya worthy of the ICSS Fellowship Award.
‘I am grateful to God Almighty and the Institute that has found myself and Odofin Adewunmi Adedeji Ogunsanya worthy of this prestigious award’, he said.
‘He added that, ‘Admitting IDPIL into ICSS as a Corporate Member is a very valuable event that will remain a milestone in the annals of the organization’s history’.
The IDPIL Executive Secretary further pledged to take advantage of the membership of the ICSS for the benefit of the IDPIL, while pledging to tap into the vast knowledge base of the institute in a symbiotic way.
Abiru also promised to abide by the extant rules governing the institute, full participation in the Institute’s activities and enhance the advancement of the ICSS.
The private ceremony was graced by the Chairman, IDPIL Committee on Media / Publicity, Otunba Ayodele Elesho, Dr Moses Oladunjoye Oyebo, who represented Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya SAN and other members of the body.
Close family and friends of the awardees also witnessed the historic investiture ceremony.
ICSS was established over 20 years ago and is the only professional astuteness in Nigeria and Africa, charged with the responsibility of Crime Prevention, Control and Peace Studies.
ICSS Governing Council is chaired by Dr Ade Abolurin, a retired Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
