Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has directed the chairmen of all Local Government councils and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in the state to prioritise security and strengthen community-based efforts to ensure the safety of lives and property.
The governor issued the charge during a brainstorming session with the council bosses in Ado Ekiti yesterday.
He emphasised that the protection of citizens is the first responsibility of government at all levels, and effective grassroots security management is critical to sustaining peace and boosting socio-economic development.
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Oyebanji stressed that local councils, being the tier of government closest to the people, must take ownership of security challenges and respond swiftly to emerging threats.
He urged the chairmen to work closely with key stakeholders, including: traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups, and security agencies
The goal is to develop coordinated structures that can identify early warning signals and prevent breaches.
The governor also encouraged them to invest in intelligence gathering and support security operatives to complement the efforts of the state government in sustaining Ekiti’s status as the safest state in the country.
Beyond security, Oyebanji charged the council chairmen to prioritise the welfare of their people for optimised service delivery.
He noted that placing citizens at the centre of governance would enhance trust, improve community engagement, and ensure that development efforts have meaningful impacts.
Reiterating his commitment to accountability and transparency, the governor cautioned the Chairmen against the waste of public resources.
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He stressed that development funGovds must be judiciously utilised and assured them that his administration would continue to provide policy backing and resources to support efficient and impactful governance across the state.
The meeting was attended by key state officials, including the Chief of Staff, Oyeniyi Adebayo; Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Chief Olabode Folorunso; and Special Adviser of Security Matters, Brig- Gen. Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd), among others.