The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Mr Tunji Bello

  • Lagos SSG Bello canvasses support for Sanwo-Olu

    The Secretary to the Lagos State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello, has urged the electorate to turn out massively and vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    “With the voting power at your disposal, you must ensure that not only does the Lagos APC flagbearer win but with a spectacular landslide as a clear message to opposition parties that they are absolutely unwanted,” he said.

    Bello spoke at the turbaning and merit award celebration at the Art and Culture Auditorium of Yaba College of Technology by the League of Imams and Alfas, Yaba Local Council Development Area (LCDA).

    The SSG said Sanwo-Olu has the sterling qualities and competence to lift Lagos to hitherto unattained heights of excellence in every facet of endeavour.

    He urged the electorate in Mainland and Yaba LCDA, in particular, to vote massively for Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun, the party’s candidate representing Mainland Constituency II in the House of Assembly.

    Bello also urged voters to ensure massive votes for Ajani Monsuru Alao, the APC flagbearer for Mainland Constituency I, and Raheem Jide Jimoh, representing the Lagos Mainland in the House of Representatives and Senator Oluremi Tinubu representing Lagos Central Senatorial District.

    Leading those turbaned were Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Gomina Anabi of Our Time; his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu (Best Senator of The Year); Moshood Olanrewaju Oshun (Baba Adini of Abule-Oja); Alhaji Ibrahim Olanrewaju Alao Megida (Sanmori Adinni Yaba); Raheem Jide Jimoh (Aare Musulumi Yaba); Dr. Abdul Wasiu Olasunwon (Arowosadini Yaba).

    The Chairman of Yaba LCDA, Kayode Adejare Omiyale, was turbaned Best Chairman and Great Achiever of Our Time and his wife, Mrs Kemi Omiyale, was Best Chairperson of Our Time.

    The Chairman of the Council of Imam and Ustaz, Mainland and Lagos Division, Imam S. A. Lawal, as well as the Chief Imam Abule Oja and Chairman, League of Imams and Alfas, Yaba LCDA, Imam Zubayr Sasere, urged political leaders and the electorate to always exhibit the fear of Allah in their endeavours.

    Also, Sanwo-Olu has said he would not run an administration that would use and dump people.

    The APC candidate spoke in Lagos when he was conferred with a chieftaincy title, Utuenikang (the Shining Light) of Akwa-Cross.

    His wife, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, got Obong Awan (Mother of All) title from the Association of Akwa-Cross Indigenes Nigeria.

    Also honoured was Sanwo-Olu’s running mate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the Ata-Ufan (Real Friend) of the association.

    The event, tagged: Our Culture, Our Heritage, was held at the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

    It was the bi-annual event for celebrating and showcasing the rich culture of Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers states.

    Sanwo-Olu said: “As long as you are a law-abiding citizen of Lagos State, our government will work for you.”

  • Pupils kidnappings: Lagos to set up Joint Tactic Guards to secure vulnerable schools

    Pupils kidnappings: Lagos to set up Joint Tactic Guards to secure vulnerable schools

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday said it had established Joint Tactic Squad comprising different security agencies to heighten safety of schools in the outskirts, riverine and other vulnerable areas.

    Mr Imohimi Edgal, the Commissioner of Police in Lagos said this while briefing newsmen after the state’s monthly Security Council Meeting chaired by Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode.

    ”The Council deliberated extensively about security of all our Model Colleges and other schools that are situated in vulnerable areas.

    “I have taken a tour of all the Model Colleges; all lapses observed have been noted by the Council and the governor has given instruction that all those lapses be taken care of immediately.

    ” We now have Joint Tactic Guards of both the police and the military in all Model schools to heighten security, ” he said.

    The CP said the Council also resolved to increase police presence across the state, especially now that the ‘Ember’ months had set in.

    ”We have noticed heightened security across the state; there is high visibility of police and other security presence across the state.

    ”We can recall that most of the bridges are being cleared. This effort is geared towards displacing hoodlums who might want to use such areas as hideouts.

    ”The Council has approved the resuscitation of the Joint Inter-Agency Raids Committee that will take care of raids on areas that are designated as black spots where criminals hibernate, such as uncompleted buildings, markets, among others.

    ”It also approved partnership with the informal policing sector in all neighborhood across the state to stop the trend of residential robberies, ” he said.

    Edgal said that the state government also resolved to vigorously enforce the state traffic law prohibiting operation of commercial motorcyclists popularly known as Okada riders in certain routes across the state.

    Edgal said that the enforcement would take place immediately after another round of public enlightenment on the dangers and security implications of plying Okada on restricted routes.

    Also, the CP said all those involved in the murder of the winner of 2007 Gulder Ultimate Search, Hector Jobateh, had been arrested including the principal suspect who fired the shot that killed the victim, saying that all the suspects would soon be charged to court.

    He, however, urged members of the public to continue to support the police with useful information and tips.

    ” Partnership is key because it is the only way information can flow and I want to assure residents that for any information given freely, the confidentiality of the informant will be taken with utmost seriousness, ” Edgal said.

    Also speaking, Mr Tunji Bello, Secretary to the State Government, said the Council deliberated on the recent restriction order on inter-state buses along Ikorodu Road, saying that all the identified setbacks have been considered and were being addressed.

  • Keep off roads or risk shutdown, Lagos warns traders

    Keep off roads or risk shutdown, Lagos warns traders

    The Lagos State Government on Wednesday warned traders in the habit of displaying their wares on the road for sale beyond the confines of the market thereby causing traffic gridlock and other environmental nuisance to desist henceforth otherwise markets where such illegal activities are perpetrated would be shut down till further notice.

    The State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, who handed down the warning at a meeting with leaders of Agbado Oke-Odo Market held at Lagos House in Ikeja, said the activities of the traders who are in such habit had reached a level which the State Government could no longer condone, hence the need for a final warning.

    The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, said the leaders of markets in the State have been warned and counseled severally on the need to rein in on their market men and women to desist from disturbing others through their trading activities on the roads, but some have become adamant.

    He said aside causing avoidable and needless traffic, the traders were also in the habit of dumping their refuse on the road, thereby causing environmental and health hazards.

    He said: “This is just to come and deliberate on the Agbado Oke-Odo Market because of the situation there. The market has become a stumbling block particularly to those using the road. The traders have blocked the Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway to the extent that even the contractors working there don’t have place to work because they have taken over the area.

    “They cause a lot of traffic gridlock and people coming from Ota or from Abule Egba don’t have the road to connect other areas of the State. We have warned them consistently but we are yet to get any result. That is why we have summoned today’s meeting.

    “The meeting is basically to call them to order and give them the last warning. The idea initially was to shut down the market today but the Governor decided that we should give them just one week to put things in order,” Bello said.

    He said in as much as government was not interested in shutting down markets, but it would have no choice than to wield the big stick if traders continue constituting themselves as menace to other road users.

    “What we are saying is that the government is not interested in shutting down any market because of the economic implication on the people who have to survive and live.  As a government, we are not interested in shutting down business enterprises and all that, but if it is constituting menace and inconveniencing other people, we will have no choice than to wield the big stick, and that is why we are giving the market leaders the last warning to go and re-order their market.

    “The leaders of the market must sit up and look at how to help government because we cannot say because we are trading, we should inconvenience people who go to work from Abule Egba to Lagos Island for instance and to other places and they have to spend hours on that road just because of the activities of the traders.

    “Apart from that, we have a lot of filth on the road because the market people just dump their refuse on the road. We don’t want that anymore and that is why we are giving this last warning. We don’t want anybody on the road again and whatever we have to do internally as a government, we will not hesitate to do. We will send Task Force and the men of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) to the place to ensure sanity.

    “This warning to Agbado Oke-Odo traders also applies to other markets in the State. Any market where their traders are blocking the road and constituting menace to others will be shut down till further notice,” Bello threatened.

    Responding on behalf of others, Babaloja Araromi Agbado Oke-Odo, Alhaji Mukaila Oyinlola, said as market leaders, they have warned the traders who are in the habit of selling on the road to desist, but their warnings have fallen on deaf ears, adding that the resolve of government was a welcome development.

    Also, Iyaloja Araromi Oke-Odo Market, Mrs Dupe Shonola and Babaloja General of Agbado Oke-Odo Market, Alhaji Abiodun Kosoko urged government to make examples of the perpetrators of the illegal act, but called for expansion and modernization of the market.

     

  • Lagos gets nod to reconstruct Int’l Airport road

    Lagos gets nod to reconstruct Int’l Airport road

    The Acting President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo has granted permission to the Lagos State Government to embark upon a total reconstruction of the International Airport Road from Oshodi.

    In a Press Statement signed on Wednesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, the State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode who made the disclosure, commended the Acting President for his statesman like approach to issues and for fast tracking the process.

    “We are very appreciative of the good gesture of His Excellency, the Acting President for acceding to our request which is not only very timely but a very heartwarming one. Posterity will never forget this genuine developmental action”, Governor Ambode said.

    He also described the approval as a 50th birthday to the people of Lagos State, describing it a further demonstration of the determination of the present administration to ensure the effectiveness of the Executive Order on improving the Ease of Doing Business recently signed by the Acting President.

    Governor Ambode also gave kudos to President Muhammadu Buhari for providing the enabling environment to attract Foreign Direct Investment into the nation, adding that with the upgrading of the International Airport Road which is the gateway to the nation’s commercial nerve centre, the country will attract new investments.

    The Governor had in early March this year, raised an alarm about the present state of the Muritala Muhammed International Airport Road, describing it as a national disgrace that required immediate attention to salvage the nation’s image.

    He stated then that the State presently has a design for the reconstruction of the road as well as the funds to embark on the project but was yet to get the go ahead from the Federal Government.

    In his words: “The road linking Oshodi to the International Airport, you would all agree with me is a national embarrassment. In the spirit of the regeneration and urbanisation that this administration has set out to achieve, we believe strongly that the image that is exhumed by the decadence of that road must be repaired and we took it upon ourselves to appropriate the 2017 budget that the House of Assembly should approve the total reconstruction of the Airport Road from Oshodi to the International Airport.

    “The State currently has a design of 10 lanes to come from Oshodi to the International Airport with interchange and flyover that would drop you towards the Local Airport. The contractor is already set to go and everything as I said has been completed and we already have the cash, but alas we are having challenges with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing. This is a Federal and not a State road. The Federal Ministry of Works believes that they should do the road, but they have not been able to do it all these years past.”

    Governor Ambode had said if given the approval, his administration was ready to hit the ground running and begin construction of the Airport Road within two weeks and finish same within a period of six months.

    Besides, the Governor also implored the Federal Government to avail the State of the N2billion appropriated for the Airport Road in the 2017 National Budget to carry out the project.

    “I just want to appeal to the Federal Ministry of Works, to let go or reimburse us with whatever it is that they are owing us and even if they are not willing to pay us now, we have the money to do it. It is a national disgrace and we would not be part of it. We would like to do it as part of the celebration of Lagos at 50,” Governor Ambode had said then.

    It would be recalled that the Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing in its reaction said the delay in granting the request the of Lagos State was because the Memorandum conveying the request of Lagos State which was already before the Federal Executive Council has not reached completion stage.

    “The Federal Ministry of Power, Works and Housing Ministry has presented the Memorandum conveying the request of the Lagos State Government to the Federal Executive Council as was done with a similar request by the Kaduna State Government in 2016”.

    “Due to the fact that TWO of the roads also connect Ogun State, the Federal Executive Council could not reach an immediate decision on them because it requested the input of the other State Government affected”, the federal ministry explained.

     

  • Ambode donates N55m to families of slain security officers

    Ambode donates N55m to families of slain security officers

    Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode on Monday presented cheques totaling N55 million to the families of security officers who lost their lives in the Ishawo area of Ikorodu after an ambush unleashed on them by militants.

    The families of four police officers that died during the operation got N10 million each, while an officer who sustained injury during the attack and still recuperating in the hospital, Sgt. Alexandra Ugadu got N5million.

    Also, a cheque of N10 million was presented to the family of a military officer, Capt. A Mohammed who lost his life during the attack.

    The gallant officers were killed after successfully rescuing kidnapped victims kept in the riverine area by the militants.

    The police officers’ whose families benefited from the death insurance scheme of the State Government are late Insp. Godwin Iroagbalahi, Insp. Francis Pemi, Sgt. Mamuda Dembo and Sgt. Idor Ekoro.

    Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Governor Ambode said the move was in appreciation of the supreme sacrifices paid by the late officers in the course of ensuring the safety of residents of the State.

    The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, said the donation was in line with the pledge to review insurance benefits to security operatives in the State.

    Bello recalled that since coming on board, Governor Ambode immediately reviewed the insurance benefits for security operatives in the State with a pledge to pay N10million to any officer killed during operation, adding that the ceremony was in consonance with the earlier promise.

    “This is to appreciate what the gallant officers have done; they sacrificed their lives in the course of protecting several of us and we have to appreciate them. As a matter of fact, if we don’t do this, who will? The Governor has always said that we must continue to appreciate those who paid the supreme sacrifice for our lives because they died for us.

    “We must continue to appreciate them because if we don’t do this, who will be ready to pay the supreme sacrifice for our safety? The officers are sent out to protect us and when they are going, they are not even sure of coming back and having paid the supreme sacrifice, should we leave them just like that, definitely not and it is in appreciation of what they have done that we are doing this,” he said.

    The Governor, while commiserating with the families of the late officers, assured that the State Government would continue to support security officers and their families in the State.

    Responding on behalf of beneficiaries, the State’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni commended Governor Ambode and the State Government for the donations, which he described as a morale booster, saying that the gesture would go a long way in motivating officers.

    He said: “On behalf of the Inspector General of Police, I stand to appreciate Lagos State Government for this morale boosting gesture that you have showed to our colleagues who, in the course of discharging their statutory duties to this nation, demonstrated bravery, gallantry and courage but unfortunately lost their lives in an encounter with criminal elements.

    “The IG appreciates this kind gesture and on behalf of the respective families of the officers that lost their lives, in as much as we know that money will not bring their lives back, but you have given us that confidence that in our trial and sadness period, the State is standing solidly behind us. This will spur us to be more committed to the security of the State,” Owoseni said.

    Earlier, Governor Ambode, on behalf of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) presented 20 brand new operational vehicles with modern communication gadgets to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the State Police Command.

    Executive Secretary of LSSTF, Dr Abdulrazaq Balogun, in his remarks, said the donation of the operational vehicles was in furtherance of the commitment of the State Government to bequeath robust security architecture to residents, just as he assured that the government would soon donate another round of vehicles to other security agencies in the State.

     

  • Ambode constitutes new board of trustees for glover memorial hall

    Ambode constitutes new board of trustees for glover memorial hall

    The Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi Ambode has approved the constitution of a new Board of Trustees for the Glover Memorial Hall to be chaired by Chief Oluyomi Abayomi Finnih.

     In a Press Statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Tunji Bello on Friday, the other members named in the new Board of Trustees include Mr Jide Aleshinloye-Williams, Mr Michael Dawodu, Mr Shina Elegbede and Arc Taofik Olawunmi Agbade.

     Also approved by the Governor as new Board of Trustees members are a representative of the Government in the person of the Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government and the director of the State Council for Arts and Culture.

    The constitution of a new Board of Trustees for Glover Memorial by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode followed the passage of some former Trustees of the Hall and the need to fill the vacancies.

    A date for the inauguration of the new Board of Trustees would be announced later.

     

  • Bode Agusto heads Lagos 12-member Economic Advisory Committee

    Bode Agusto heads Lagos 12-member Economic Advisory Committee

    Renowned accountant and financial expert, Dr. Bode Agusto has been appointed to head a 12-member Economic Advisory Committee set up by the Lagos State Government with a mandate to spearhead the government’s drive to improve the business environment and advance economic development in the state.

    Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello disclosed this Wednesday after the State Executive Council meeting at the Lagos House, Alausa.

    According to Bello “the Economic Advisory Team is expected to bring an independent perspective to economic and business issues with the primary role of offering advice to the State Government for the purposes of fostering and advancing economic and business opportunities; provide an effective mechanism for engaging the private sector on matters relating to economic development of the State as well as provide advice and strategic direction along the lines of the Lagos State Development Plan.”

    The Economic team is saddled with the responsibility of specifically advising on the overall finance strategy to bridge the massive infrastructure gap in the state; analyzing any issue, economic or otherwise, referred to it by the Governor and to act as champions for certain initiatives.

    The SSG stated that it had become imperative, especially in this period of strong economic ‘head winds’ for the Government to better engage the private sector to get independent views on economic and business issues in delivering the government’s mandate to the people.

    Other members of the Committee are Mr Kehinde Durosinmi- Etti, Mr Kenneth Igbokwe, Mrs Nimi Akinkugbe, Mrs Adenike Ogunlana, Dr Laolu Mudashiru, Mrs Omobola Johnson, Mr Moruf Oseni and Mrs Yetunde Akinluyi who would serve as the Secretary.

    The State Government would be represented on the Committee by the Commissioners for Finance, Mr. Akinyemi Ashade, Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr Olawale Oluwo, and Commerce and Industry and Cooperatives, Mr Rotimi Ogunleye.

    Bello affirmed that the private sector members of the committee were carefully selected based on their known track record of integrity, independence of thought and outlook as well as diverse industry experience.

    He added that members of the Committee would be expected to commit to serve for at least two year while they would meet regularly and send reports to the State Executive Council, adding that the team would be allowed to invite industry experts to provide support during its deliberations.

  • Lagos is ‘most security conscious state’ in W/Africa

    Lagos is ‘most security conscious state’ in W/Africa

    The Lagos State Government has been awarded the most security and safety conscious state in West Africa.

    Organised by the Security Watch Africa (SWA), the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of Lagos State Police Command also emerged as the best anti-crime police squad in West Africa at the award ceremony held in Johannesburg, South Africa.

    Similarly, the RRS Commander, ACP Olatunji Disu took home the award of the most outstanding police operational officer in West Africa.

    The awards were presented to officials of the State Government at the 2016 lecture series of SWA organised in partnership with Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA) and the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa.

    The lecture, which had the theme: “Tackling Security Challenges In Africa’s Land and Maritime Domains,” was well attended by security experts and officials from across Africa.

    Lagos State and its officials, according to organisers of the awards, were honoured in recognition of the outstanding efforts and achievements in securing residents, especially the massive improvement on security architecture of the State.

    While receiving the award for the State on behalf of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, thanked the organisers for recognising Lagos State, saying that it was gratifying to note that the efforts of government on security were appreciated.

    lagos-awarded-best-safety-conscious-stateHe said ever since emerging as Governor of Lagos State, Mr Ambode has made safety and security one of the focal objectives of his administration as he believes that there cannot be any development in the absence of security.

    “I want to assure this gathering that Governor Ambode is very much committed to the security of lives and property of the people of the State and he is not tired of daily improving the security situation in the State. The Governor believes that businesses cannot thrive in an environment devoid of safety and security, hence the massive efforts and initiatives geared toward security,” Bello said.

    On his part, RRS Commander, who took the time to lecture the gathering on the duties of the RRS, said being a unit of the Lagos State Police Command, the Squad is responsible for robberies and emergencies like collapsed building and other related situations.

    He said the RRS is usually the first responders in an emergency situation, adding that the Unit was also blessed with highly dedicated officials who carry out 24-hour job on a daily basis.

    Speaking of the awards to RRS and to him, Disu said: “We like to appreciate the awards given to us and this will surely go a long way in motivating our men back home to know that everything they do is appreciated because the belief of an average policeman in Nigeria is that police job is a thankless job and nobody appreciates what they do, but the awards will also spur us to better serve the people,” the RRS Commander said.

  • Itire: Lagos denounces purported restriction of movement

    Itire: Lagos denounces purported restriction of movement

    The Lagos State Government has denounced the purported restriction of movement announced in Itire on Sunday night as part of traditional rites on the demise of Onitire of Itire, Oba Lateef Abayomi Akanbi Dauda, describing it as act of illegality.

    According to a statement issued on Monday by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Tunji Bello, the State Government condemned the action of declaring a curfew without due consultation with the State Government before making the statement public.

    He added that no individual or group has the right to infringe on the rights of citizens to freedom of movement and association as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    He noted that the State Government is alive to its core responsibilities of protecting the citizens and is collaborating with security agencies to put in place measures that will guarantee safety
    of lives and property of its citizens in every part of the state.

    The statement added, “While the state government commiserates with the royal family, Onitire Chieftaincy Family Council and the entire people of Itire over the demise of the monarch and highly revered our tradition and customs, it would not condone any act that tends to infringe on the right of its citizens which it has sworn to protect.”

    “The Lagos State Government is saddened by the demise of our ever-supportive Oba, but wishes to assure that government will not fold its arms and allow a few individual or group of people to deny citizens of their right to movement or commune anywhere around the state.”

    He added that the State Government was collaborating with security agencies and assures that arrangements have been made to guide against any molestation and harassment by anybody or group. Lagos residents are assured of their safety and are advised to go about their normal duties without harassment and molestation.

  • Kidnapping: Lagos places security agencies on red alert

    Kidnapping: Lagos places security agencies on red alert

    …Partners FG, Ogun State on border patrol

    The Lagos State Government on Monday assured residents of the State that it was working hard in conjunction with security agencies to address the recent cases of kidnapping and armed robberies in some parts of the State, just as it disclosed that security intelligence has revealed useful leads towards identifying notorious syndicates behind the heinous crimes and their accomplices.

    In a statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Tunji Bello, the State Government said it is alive to its core responsibilities of protecting the citizens as the administration of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will not shirk from its function of protecting the lives and property of its citizens in every part of the state.

    The government, while reassuring citizens of their safety in the State, said it was collaborating with security agencies to put in place upgraded security measures that will guarantee safety of lives and property.

    “We would like to inform Lagosians that we are saddened by the recent cases of kidnappings that appear not to be unrelenting. But we wish to assure that the government will not fold its arms and allow a few evil doers to prosper at the expense of innocent citizens.

    “We are working together with both Federal Government and Ogun State Government in particular in the volatile areas that have been identified. We will spare no effort in bringing every criminal gang to book,” the SSG said.

    According to Bello, the response of the State Government “will be swift, total and reassuring to the public in sending a clear signal to all and sundry that Lagos State will not tolerate any form of criminality.”

    While sympathizing with the families of victims in Iba and Ikorodu, the Secretary to the State Government urged residents of the state to go about their normal businesses without any fear or panic as government has placed security personnel on red alert throughout the State in a bid to checkmate this menace.

    He advised Lagosians to be very vigilant and security conscious as intelligence reports have shown that most of these heinous crimes are perpetrated through recalcitrant elements who have infiltrated the state and are carrying out this act in conjunction with friends, family members or close associates of the victims.

    Bello reiterated the commitment and capacity of the Akinwunmi Ambode administration to go after and suppress any act of crime and criminality in any part of the State, urging residents to take advantage of the state’s toll free lines: 112 and 767 to report any case of crime or unusual/suspicious movement or strange faces in their neighbourhood to security agencies.

    While also noting the recent massive security equipment and vehicles donated by the Governor Akinwunmi Ambode-led administration to security agencies to beef up security in the state which has considerably curbed armed robbery cases, Bello said the State Government in consonance with the Police and other security agencies in the State will continue to do all within its means to halt the trend of kidnapping in the State and bring perpetrators to justice.