Residents of Ikorodu Division communities will soon experience a new lease of life, following the formation of the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative
The body, otherwise known as IDPIL/G is the brainchild of all royal fathers and prominent sons and daughters of the division, in partnership with security agencies for the promotion of peace, security and commerce across the entire division.
Addressing press men at the inaugural press conference of the organization at the Ayangburen Palace in Ikorodu, a former Commissioner for Information in Lagos State, who alsio doubles as the Chairman, Publicity, Enlightenment and Education Sub-Committee of the IDPIL/G Otunba Ayodele Elesho disclosed that the body was formed to compliment the efforts of statutory security agencies in Ikorodu Division.
‘The Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative LTD / GTE (IDPI L/G) is a community initiative and a ‘child of necessity’ birthed by the rising wave in crime and general state of insecurity within Ikorodu Division in the recent time, especially the nefarious activities of the cult groups, Land grabbers and some other miscreants’.
‘Consequently and knowing the security peculiarities of the major towns in Ikorodu Division and noting the presence of vigilante groups in these towns, the royal fathers, in consultation with some respected elders in the community came together to fashion out a body that would unify and coordinate activities and operational aspects of the Vigilante groups, hence the amalgamation of of the various Vigilante groups in Ikorodu Division into one Local Joint Task Force after security scrutiny of the selected members. It is now called, Joint Task Force because, their operations are jointly carried out in partrnership with offiers of the Nigeria Police Force’.
Explaining further, Elesho noted that, ‘for easy administration and better operation of the security operatives and following the existing Local Government / Local Council Development Area structure, the Ikorodu Division Joint Task Force, under the auspices of the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative LTD / GTE (IDPI L/G) was sub-divided into six zones and all the major zones have an operational head, namely: Zone 1 Ikorodu Central, Zone 2 Ikorodu west LCDA, Zone 3 Igbogbo/Bayeiku LCDA, Zone 4 Ijede LCDA, Zone 5 Imota LCDA, Zone 6 Ikorodu North LCDA’.
‘In order to ensure cooperation and amity without which there could not be any tangible success, the operatives were given the free hand to select their officers which resulted in the selection of Chief Lanre Olabinjo as the Commandant-General and to date he had been discharging the functions of his office meritoriously and dilligently’, he added.
He further stated that, with the composition of the Joint Task Force which of course includes members of the Nigerian Police Force, the operations of the JTF have continued to yield impressive security dividends as the relative peace being enjoyed in Ikorodu Division today is to the glory of God and the Joint Task Force of IDPI L/G which has been operating covertly for months.
According to Otunba Elesho, the efforts of the organization are geared towards intervening in the Socio-Economic and Cultural activities of residents and citizens in furtherance of a functional and conducive environment that will create and promote opportunities for self-engagement and enhance business activities, trade, education and commerce.
He also stressed that, the Ikorodu Division Peace Initiative (IDPIL/G) is a divisional product which has the membership of its Board of Trustees cut across the major towns in Ikorodu Division. They include eminent Ikorodu Division indigenes
- Odofin Adewunmi Ogunsanya, SAN – Chairman 2. Asipa Kaoli Olusanya – Vice Chairman 3. Chief (Mrs) Nosimot Adebimpe Akinsola – Member 4. Rev (Col)
- Rev.(Col.)Bolaji Titlola Onafowokan – Member
- Engr. Rasheed Omokayode Shoderu – Member
- Dr Moses Oladunjoye Oyebo – Member
- Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru – Executive Secretary. Members of the Board of Trustees had been carefully composed to include accomplishrd individuals in their various chosen professions with the impeccable character and noble antecedents across the Division. TheOganization itself is structured into four to enhance efficiency and effectiveness. a. Board of Trustees
- b. Executive Council
c. The Management headed by the Executive Secretary
d. Committees
A major highpoint of the inaugural press briefing was the public presentation of a detachment of the IDPIL/G.
‘Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, members of the fourth Estate of the realm, it is with pride that I publicly present to you a detachment of the security operatives so as to get you familiar with their outfit in case you see them on the road in the course of performing their duties’. He concluded by appreciating the passion, selflessness and cooperation of all Ikorodu Royal Fathers towards making IDPI L/G a reality.
The Press briefing was attended by the Executive Secretary of the organization, Otunba Ganiyu Olusegun Abiru, in company of Hon (Mrs) Adebimpe Akinsola, Chairman Security Sub-Committee of IDPIL/G.
