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  • DAWN Commission calls for policing reform, celebrates Amotekun’s fifth anniversary

    DAWN Commission calls for policing reform, celebrates Amotekun’s fifth anniversary

    The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission has called for comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s security framework, advocating for the decentralization of policing across the country. 

    In a statement marking the fifth anniversary of the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, the Commission lauded its achievements as a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s security landscape. 

    The Director-General of DAWN, Dr. Seye Oyeleye, praised Amotekun as a trailblazer in community policing, noting its remarkable success in enhancing regional security and integration in the Southwest. 

    “Amotekun has not only silenced critics but also exceeded expectations, proving wrong those who feared it might be misused for political or ethnic purposes,” Oyeleye said. 

    He commended the security outfit for maintaining professionalism and earning the trust of communities by protecting all residents, regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation. 

    The DAWN Commission reiterated its call for a decentralized policing system to replicate Amotekun’s success nationwide, ensuring improved security and better community engagement across Nigeria.

    Oyeleye said: “The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission today commemorates the fifth anniversary of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, marking a transformative milestone in Nigeria’s security landscape.

    “Launched in Ibadan on January 9, 2020, Amotekun has emerged as a beacon of innovative community policing, demonstrating remarkable success in fostering regional security and integration across Nigeria’s southwest region.

    “This first-of-its-kind security network, midwifed by the DAWN Commission with the backing of the Southwest Governors Forum (SWGF), has proven to be a game-changer in addressing local security challenges.

    “Five years on, Amotekun has definitively silenced critics and exceeded expectations. The agency has shown that state-level security agencies can operate professionally and effectively while maintaining the trust of local communities.

    “Amotekun’s track record has challenged initial concerns about potential misuse for political purposes or ethnic agendas. Instead, it has established itself as a model of professionalism, earning widespread community trust through its commitment to protecting all residents, regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation.”

    Read Also: DAWN Commission, UI, others seek partnerships for development

    Commending the operatives and the Southwest governors for their support and commitment, Oyeleye said the Amotekun model has proven that decentralized policing can effectively address community security needs while maintaining professional standards.

    “The success of Amotekun demonstrates the viability of state-led security initiatives in Nigeria’s federal structure and provides a template for other regions considering similar security frameworks.

    “The DAWN Commission particularly commends the dedication of Amotekun Commanders and operatives, some of whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service to their communities. Their bravery and commitment, despite a challenging environment, continue to ensure the safety and security of the Southwest region. 

    “Our special commendation also goes to the Governors of Southwest States for their unwavering support and funding for this critical agency,” he added.

  • DAWN Commission, UI, others seek partnerships for development

    DAWN Commission, UI, others seek partnerships for development

    The Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, University of Ibadan (UI), Bank of Industry (BOI) and others have called for innovations and partnerships that make use of research output to develop Nigeria. 

    The stakeholders made the call during the UI Research and Development (UIRESDEV) Fair 2024 tagged ‘UI-Town Connect 2024’, with theme: ‘’Re-focusing Research and Innovation towards Scaling-up Nigerian Brands for Commercial Value’’.

    Director-General of DAWN Commission, Seye Oyeleye said by re-focusing research efforts, fostering innovation ecosystems and building strategic partnerships, stakeholders could  better support Nigerian brands in realising their full potential.

    He said DAWN Commission collaboration with UI Research and Development unit wad to technically simplify nexus between town and gown and at the same time disrupt the much-perceived dichotomy that exist between university researcher and development practitioners that was said to be exacerbating convergence for elite consensus in developing our society.

    He stated that the journey from research to marketplace readiness is not an easy one.

    ‘’We must ensure that research and development are not just academic pursuits, but engines that fuel the growth of local brands’’.

    ‘’Today’s discussion is a call to action for researchers, entrepreneurs, government bodies, and private sector players alike. It’s time to break down the silos that separate research from commercialization, to bridge the gap between ideation and market impact.

    “Together, let us create a culture where research thrives and innovation becomes the bedrock of Nigerian brands.  I urge you all to make the best out of this partnership to connect, network and collaborate to foster further development beyond these two days for sustainable development’’.

    Vice Chancellor of UI, who was represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Peter Olapegba, emphasised importance of turning research into innovations that would result in national development. 

    Read Also: NASS, NITT partner to lower CNG conversion costs

    He maintained industry players and all stakeholders must collaborate for optimum reward on  research  efforts. 

    UI Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships (RISP), Prof. Oluyemisi Bamgbose, said through research,  Nigerian universities could create brands and provide solutions to problems plaguing the country.

    Bamgbose, a Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), said the UIRESDEV Fair Committee was entrusted with the mandate of aligning Town and Gown for revolutionary national development, by developing ways of integrating the vocabulary of the university into the daily life of the town.

    According to her, research is the key instrument in the journey towards scaling-up Nigerian brands commercial value.

    “Through research, Nigerian brands have the power to create novelties, innovate and expand the economic horizons of our dear country. We must cultivate strong partnerships with private and public sector entities, build connections with global research institutions, and engage policymakers to create a climate that encourages innovation and growth’’.

    While presenting his paper, former BOI Cheif Executive Officer, Pastor Olukayode Pitan stated that there must be a mutual handshake between the gown and the town for all-encompassing progress, saying partnership was pivotal in achieving  the expected result from research done in universities.

    He reiterated that UI must take the driver’s seat in ensuring partnerships between universities and the industry.

    In his remarks, the UIRESDEV Fair Committee, Prof. Andrew Fadoju said the university hoped that the lofty objective of strengthening the gown-and-town collaboration would be realised soon.