Governors, members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and other key stakeholders have hailed the legacy of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, for his contributions to community policing and the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.
The commendations were made during the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu @70 Colloquium held in Ibadan with the theme: “Fundamentals and Governance of State Policing: Towards a New Architecture for National Security in Nigeria.”
The colloquium was organised by the Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Foundation (OAF) in partnership with the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and the Southwest Governors’ Forum.
The Convener and Chairman of the OAF, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Jr., stated that it was fitting to mark his late father’s 70th birthday not just with remembrance, but with a serious national conversation on state policing.
The Director-General of the DAWN Commission, Dr Seye Oyeleye, noted that Akeredolu deeply understood the power of regional collaboration.
He recalled that it was during a security summit convened by the Commission in June 2019 that Southwest governors resolved to act collectively.
This decisive move led to the creation of the South Western Security Network (SWSN), code-named “Operation Amotekun,” which was officially launched on 9 January 2020.
Delivering the keynote address, the Governor of Ogun State and Chairman of the Southern Governors’ Forum, Dapo Abiodun, said the gathering was organised to celebrate Akeredolu’s legacy and build upon the courageous foundation he laid.
Abiodun, who also serves as the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) Committee on State Police, highlighted that Akeredolu championed the rule of law as NBA President, and later became the architect of regional security and a fierce advocate for decentralised policing as governor.
He recalled how the rising insecurity in the Southwest between 2019 and 2022, alongside the tragic June 5, 2022 attack on St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, reinforced Akeredolu’s conviction that a police structure managed entirely from Abuja could not effectively secure Nigeria.
Governor Abiodun further disclosed that under the United Nations ratio of one police officer to 414 citizens, Nigeria urgently needs 554,353 additional police personnel.
However, fiscal capacity remains uneven across the country, with just five states generating 61.6 per cent of the total Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
To address this, he revealed that the NGF is advocating for a constitutional State Police Take-Off Fund.
This fund would be driven by Equal Access Grants, Need-Based Top-Ups, and Standards-Linked Disbursements to ensure sustainable funding.
Abiodun listed eight fundamentals required for sustainable state policing: a clear legal framework, merit-based recruitment and training, enhanced personnel welfare, sustainable funding, technology deployment, safeguards against political abuse, community trust, and inter-state coordination.
The Governor of Ondo State, Dr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, remarked that Akeredolu, who was widely described as a leader who saw public office as an instrument of service, and whose advocacy for true federalism birthed Amotekun, would have clocked 70 on July 21.
Aiyedatiwa noted that the national conversation has now advanced from mere debate to actual institutional reform under President Bola Tinubu, with a Presidential Working Group currently developing a National Policing Bill.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, described Akeredolu as a man of deep conviction who stood firm to defend Amotekun even when federal authorities initially declared it illegal.
Similarly, the Governor of Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Habibat Adubiaro, praised Akeredolu for showing a “courage of steel” in defending the right of citizens to protect themselves, while calling for an even stronger commitment to Southwest integration.
The President of the NBA, represented by Ikeazor Ajovi-Akaraiwe, SAN, added that Akeredolu enlarged the influence of the NBA presidency and brought immense respect to the association through his relentless fight for good governance and national security.
The event also featured a panel session and goodwill messages from the Afenifere Renewal Group, old students’ associations, family members, and well-wishers.
Speakers collectively urged that the ultimate tribute to Akeredolu would be to complete his unfinished work on state policing.
