John Silas
The Oodua Peoples’ Congress (OPC) on Thursday, August 29, 2024, expressed its readiness to partner with the Federal Government (FG) to halt the subsisting insecurity in the country.
The OPC, a social-cultural and security Vanguard of the South-West Nigeria, made the appeal at its 30th anniversary of the organisation held in Lagos.
The event that attracted delegates from the Yoruba speaking states, FCT, Kogi and Edo, paid tributes to its Founder late Dr Frederick Fasheun and others.
The event that featured cultural displays of the South-West, celebrated on the state of the nation, proffered solutions to security for a better Nigerian society.
Speaking at the event, OPC President, Otunba Wasiu Afolabi, said the organisation has what it takes to quell the spate of violence in the country.
“OPC is a child of necessity formed aftermath of June 12 that shortchanged the Yoruba race and Nigerians to stand as a buffer to the rapping of the people’s aspirations.
“It is an absurdity that the rampant insecurity in the land has pushed cost of food items out of the reach of the people.
“Our officers trained to maintain orderliness can secure our forests and farmlands to enable farmers return to the farm and produce foods that can feed the country.
“We are appealing to President Bola Tinubu to give the organisation the opportunity to contribute our quota to the security of the nation.
“The President needs to restore to OPC the pipeline security that the previous government of Buhari terminated from the organisation,” he said.
He noted that the measure would tackle unemployment in the zone and prevent food insecurity and halt pipeline vandalism.
Also speaking at the event, the OPC Abuja Federal Capital Territory representive, Mr Ismalia Olayiwola, said that with the spread of the organisation to other zones of the country the orientation of the members has changed from the South-West posture to national outlook.
He stressed that the members were subjected to reforms that transcends the Yoruba race to Nigeria.
