By Harriet Tornguvan
The Ministry of Defence has described as noble a proposal by the Oyo community to provide land for the establishment of a military cantonment aimed at strengthening security operations and combating criminal activities in Oyo State and its surrounding areas.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Richard Pheelangwah, gave the commendation on Monday while receiving a delegation from the Oyo Alaafin Society (Oyo Forum), Abuja, which paid him a courtesy visit to discuss possible partnership opportunities in addressing security challenges in the state.
The delegation conveyed the mandate of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, Alaafin of Oyo, and informed the ministry of the community’s decision to make available a vast expanse of land for the proposed military facility.
According to the delegation, the cantonment would bolster the presence of the Armed Forces in the region and serve as a strategic response to growing threats such as banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality.
Describing the initiative as timely, Pheelangwah expressed appreciation to the delegation and assured them that the proposal would receive due consideration by the ministry.
He noted, however, that any positive response from the Federal Government would be subject to the completion of necessary procedures, including the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the parties.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation, Engr. Kolawole Raji, commended the Minister of Defence and the ministry for their sustained efforts in safeguarding lives and property across the country.
Raji disclosed that stakeholders and community leaders in Oyo had earmarked a parcel of land bordering the Old Oyo National Park near Otefon Town in Atiba Local Government Area for the project.
He explained that the proposed site is suitable for the development of a modern military cantonment capable of hosting formations of the Nigerian Army, operational units of the Nigerian Air Force, military training institutions, healthcare facilities, residential quarters, commercial centres and other strategic security infrastructure.
According to him, beyond donating the land, the Oyo community is committed to providing all lawful support required by the Armed Forces of Nigeria to ensure the successful execution of the project.
Although the Alaafin of Oyo was unable to attend the meeting, he sent a goodwill message through a recorded video, expressing confidence that the Federal Government would respond favourably to the proposal.
Similar messages of support were also delivered via video by Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde, representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, and Akeem Adeyemi, representing Oyo Federal Constituency.
