All is set for a groundbreaking convergence of stakeholders as the inaugural Owo Security Summit holds on Monday, May 26, 2025, with the theme: “Securing Owo and Its Environs: Strategies for Community Safety and Resilience.”
The summit, billed to take place at the Prof. Abubakar Rasheed Auditorium, Achievers University, Owo, will commence at 9:00 a.m., and promises to be a major milestone in the collective effort to address rising insecurity in Owo Local Government Area and its surrounding communities.
A distinguished array of personalities will grace the event, including the Executive Governor of Ondo State, Dr. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, and his Deputy, Dr. Olayide Owolabi Adelami, who are expected as Special Guests.
Retired Justice Adesuyi Olateru-Olagbegi will serve as Chairman of the summit, lending his wealth of experience and gravitas to the proceedings.
Confirming the arrangements, Olatunbosun Oladimeji, Publicity Secretary of the Owo Security Summit Committee, noted that the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegeshin Ogunoye III, will lead traditional rulers at the summit, underscoring the cultural and communal significance of the gathering.
Also playing a central role is Hon. Tope Omolayo, Chairman of Owo Local Government Council, who will serve as Chief Host, while Pastor Olugbenga Olumolawa chairs the organising committee.
The summit will be moderated by Professor Taiwo Adenegan, Secretary of the Summit Committee.
The summit’s objectives are ambitious yet urgent: to foster security awareness, reduce crime rates, and rebuild public trust in law enforcement.
In addition, plans will be unveiled for the creation of a Security Trust Fund, envisioned as a sustainable financial base for community-led security initiatives in the region.
The urgency of the summit cannot be overstated. A fresh wave of insecurity has gripped the area, with bandits reportedly issuing a new threat to Saint Francis Catholic Church, Owo, the same church that was the target of a horrific massacre in 2022.
Alongside this threat, a string of recent kidnappings has further strained the social and economic fabric of the region.
Against this troubling backdrop, the summit offers a timely and strategic intervention.
By bringing together government officials, traditional leaders, law enforcement, community actors, and security experts, it seeks to craft a coordinated response aimed at safeguarding lives, restoring confidence, and ensuring lasting peace across Owo and its environs.
As the countdown begins, all eyes are on Owo, hopeful that this maiden summit will mark a turning point in the region’s fight for security and resilience.
