January 09, (THEWILL) – Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun state has sounded a note of warning to vandals of public infrastructure and utilities in the state, declaring that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted and go to jail.
He equally said that he would send a bill to the House of Assembly for a punitive measure for anyone caught vandalising public utilities.
Abiodun issued the warning on Sunday, while speaking at the Special Church Service to mark this year’s Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, held at the Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta.
He noted that the warning became expedient due to the activities of vandals, who had stolen the poles and cables of the newly installed street lights on the Abeokuta-Siun-Sagamu road.
The governor also charged parents to warn their wards against destroying public properties, stressing that he won’t listen to any plea from the parents whose children were found wanting
“Last night, we were coming from Ijebu-Ode and noticed that some parts of the lights were not on and on enquiry, we were told that some poles were vandalised and the cables stolen.
“I will be sending a Bill to the House of Assembly for a punitive measure for anyone caught vandalising public utilities.
“Let parents warn their children and wards. I won’t entertain any call from parents whenever anyone is caught in the act of cultism, vandalism, banditry or any other criminal activities.”
“We will fish them out and the full weight of the law would be brought upon them. We will make an example of them”, he added.
On the Armed Forces Remembrance Day, Abiodun said the day was specially chosen to celebrate the service men and women, whose job is to protect the people even to the point of paying the ultimate price, describing it as the ultimate act of patriotism.
While taking a swipe at those who continue to sow the seed of discord in the country, he said the best way to support members of the Armed Forces apart from paying their entitlements and taking care of their widows and orphans.
He divulged that his administration would continue to encourage peaceful co-existence among all Nigerians, while security apparatus in the state had been rejigged with modern gadgets, noting that the farmers/herdsmen clashes had been curtailed.
In his sermon titled ‘Heroes of Faith, Our strength’, the Provost, Cathedral Church of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, Very Reverend (Dr.) Issac Adeniji, lamented that the world had witnessed many senseless wars that led to loss of millions of lives including women, widows and children, especially orphans.
The Clergyman, who took his text from Hebrews 11: 32, likened Nigeria’s uniformed men and women to the people of the old that were risks takers, saying that it was expedient that Nigerians continue to pray for those who lost their lives in the course of maintaining peace in the country
He, therefore, called on the authorities to pay the ex-servicemen and women their entitlements and not wait until their demise, while the welfare of the widows and orphans of the fallen heroes should also be accorded prompt attention.
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