Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, has charged the newly trained security personnel under the Edo State Security Vigilante Network to be diligent and relentless in their drive towards building citizens’ trust, noting that 3,574 personnel have been trained so far in security management across the three senatorial districts of the state, with the passing out of Batch C comprising over 1,500 trainees.
Governor Obaseki while addressing the new trainees during their passing out parade on Friday 3rd November 2023, stressed that the protection and safety of Edo residents remain the top priority of his administration, and ensuring that the transformation of the Edo State security architecture continues to serve as a model for sub-national governments.
Obaseki said: “once again I am here to grace this auspicious occasion because I believe that supporting efforts like this to improve the security of our state is very important. So, that is why every time I am called upon to encourage you by gracing your passing out parade, I always, as much as possible, try and make time to be with you.
“Today we are witnessing the passing out of another round of trainees, 1,500 of you. This Batch C is made up of 950 personnel from the south, 300 from the north, 250 from the central, and 100 from the state headquarters. With this number we have so far trained 3,574 personnel from these 3 batches.
“Our goal is that nobody will wear the uniform of the Edo State Security Vigilante Network without being trained. Every member of our volunteer corps must and will be trained.
“I want to at this juncture thank the local governments for partnering with the state government to ensure that we train all of you across the state”.
Obaseki who commended the genuine efforts of security agencies in the country for their laudable support in building a formidable structure to keep Edo safe, reiterated his administration’s continuous commitment to uplifting the security facilities in the state.
He said: “As a government, our principal purpose is to ensure the safety and security of our citizens. That is why we are in government. And because of that, we will leave no stone unturned in our quest to make sure that we secure Edo State. That means that we have to continue to invest in our security. We will continue to sustain our efforts to build a capable and well-trained security network across the state.
“This effort would not have been possible and successful if we did not have institutions like the Nigerian Police, the Nigerian Army, the Air Force, the Correctional Service, Department of State Security, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NDLEA and all other partners and stakeholders in our security ecosystem who have helped us with this training program together.
I want to thank the Commandant of this facility and members of staff for appreciating the modest efforts which the Edo State Government has made to uplift the facilities in this training school. Our view is that every facility that we have the privilege to host in Edo, we will treat as if it is our own. We will not mind whether it is federal or state.”
The Governor further noted that since the introduction of the Vigilante Network in the state, crime incidents have reduced substantially.
“We are glad with the successes recorded so far through this model, and today Edo State is not just one of the safest and most secured states to live and do business in, but it is now a model for other sub-national governments in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, on how governments can boost economic growth and development by securing their communities and state effectively”, Obaseki noted.
The Governor while charging the new trainees on diligence, ensuring that the protection and safety of Edo citizens and residents remain at the vanguard of their priorities, urged for collaborations among residents of the state in ensuring Edo remains one of the safest and investment friendly destinations in the country.
“We are determined to improve and ensure that kidnapping, armed robbery, land grabbing in particular and other criminal activities are reduced to the barest minimum. We are going to claim another batch of trainees before the Christmas season commences. We want to make sure that this Christmas, we do not record any incident of criminal activities in Edo State.
“You have been entrusted with building bridges of trust within our communities. You have been entrusted with the responsibility of serving as the eyes and ears of government in your various communities.
“I implore you to embody the values of discipline, integrity and unwavering patriotism which are required to effectively deliver on your roles of securing our beloved state. From what I have seen to date, I have no doubt that you all will rise to this challenge.
“Lastly, we must not forget that security is a collective responsibility. Everyone must get involved in the process of securing our state and ensuring that we have a virile and prosperous Edo State”.
In his welcome address, the Commandant, Police Training School, ACP Joseph Esegine PSC, commended the developmental strides of Governor Godwin Obaseki and his outstanding commitment to revamping the security architecture of the state. He further solicited the continuous support of the state in attending to infrastructural gaps faced by the institute.
