Lagos State First Lady, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday, 18 May, 2021 urged residents especially market men and women to be more security conscious and promptly report any suspicious movement around them to relevant security agencies.
She also appealed for understanding and cooperation of the people on the decision of the state government to restrict operation of commercial motorcycles, popularly known as Okada in certain areas, saying it was important for the provisions of relevant laws to be enforced to sanitize the environment.
The Governor’s wife said this at a one-day Seminar on Sanitation and Security for market leaders organized by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, held at the Secretariat of Ikorodu West Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Owutu.
Sanwo-Olu, who is also the COWLSO Chairman, said the recent security situation in the country had made it imperative for everyone to be security conscious and alert relevant authorities in the event of strange developments and movement across the state.
“On security, we should all know that security is everybody’s business. Everyone is a security officer and that includes you and me. Let us be security conscious and when we see something, we must say something. We are in the era of #Sorosoke (speaking up) and we all have to alert the relevant authorities when we notice something strange in our respective areas.
“Yes, there has been an announcement on the ban of Okada (Commercial motorcycles). However, let me reiterate that all Okada people are not bad people. We need to correct that impression but if we notice something, we have to act.
“Security of lives and property is very important. May God guide and lead Mr Governor in the right direction. Lagos is a friendly place; we are accommodating and we love to have people among us. But there is this saying that where there is no law, there is no crime. Just as there are laws in the marketplace, there are laws in the land and those laws need to be complied with at any point in time,” the First Lady said.
She disclosed that the seminar, which is the second in the series, was put together as part of efforts to play up issues around sanitation, security and safety in markets across the state, adding that it was important that hygiene and cleanliness in the marketplace, as well as security must be taken seriously, going forward.
“Sanitation is very important. Safety in the market too is important. We have to switch off all electrical appliances at the close of business of the day; we have to ensure that our markets are properly administered and that’s why we have come up with this initiative.
