OBEDIENCE TO LAW CRUCIAL FOR OUR DEVELOPMENT – SANWO-OLU

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, has urged Lagosians to be law-abiding as the State can only prosper in an environment of peace and security.

Sanwo-Olu made the plea today, while speaking during the passing out parade of the Year 2020 graduating participants of the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) held at the Public Service Staff Development Centre, (PSSDC), Magodo.

Speaking through his deputy, Dr. Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, the Governor stressed the need for citizens to always obey the law, adding that his administration recognises the need for an effective security system that promotes a peaceful and prosperous society.

According to the Governor, “Our administration recognises the need for an effective security system as sine-qua-non to a peaceful and prosperous society. This is why Security and Governance represents a key pillar in our administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda. It goes without saying that effective security and safety of lives and property can only be achieved with a qualitative blend of men and materials”.

The Governor added that in order to further enhance the capacity of the State’s law enforcement outfits, such as the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority, (LASTMA), Neighbourhood Safety Corps and Vehicle Inspection Services among others, his administration established the Law Enforcement Training Institute (LETI) for personnel to acquire expertise in maintaining peace in the State at all times using state-of-the-art equipment and cutting edge knowledge.

He disclosed that part of the re-engineering process was the deployment of technological tools of law enforcement such as Body Worn Cameras (BWC) and Body Shields in the training of the security personnel, stressing that the equipment will further enhance effective law enforcement in line with modern global trends.

Disclosing that the curriculum of the Institute has also been reviewed in response to the challenges and dynamism of the 21st-century law enforcement, Sanwo-Olu said the overall objective is to always be a step ahead of criminals and lawless elements in Lagos.

He commended the law enforcement officers for their doggedness, courage and tenacity at all times, especially during the recent upheavals that engulfed the whole nation and the State in particular.

The Governor also enjoined the graduating officers to discharge their duties with all due diligence and professionalism, and must be civil in their approach while refraining from any act that would violate the rights of citizens.

Earlier in his address, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), who was represented by the Director of Litigation, Ministry of Justice, Mr. Akinkunmi Idowu, enjoined the graduating law enforcement officers to be polite, decent, humane and firm in the discharge of their duties, emphasising the importance of contributing their own quota towards achieving a better Lagos.

He commended the management of the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute for its continued orientation of enforcement personnel towards reducing liabilities of the State for infraction of the law by the enforcers themselves.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Head of the Lagos State Law Enforcement Training Institute, Prince Ifalade Oyekan thanked the State government for supporting the Institute.

He said as a way of enhancing the skills and the training needs of the law enforcement outfits, the Institute has restructured its training module to reflect the peculiarity of each outfit.

Prince Oyekan, therefore, called on the State government to assist the Institute in the provision of more equipment to achieve a 21st Century Law Enforcement workforce.