The Federal Ministry of Defence has pledged to give due consideration to a proposal by the Oyo community for the establishment of a military cantonment in Oyo State, describing the initiative as a noble step towards addressing prevailing security challenges in the area.
According to an official signed statement by the Chief Information Officer, Queenet Iheoma-Hart, for the Director, Information and Public Relations, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Mr. Richard Pheelangwah, gave the assurance on Monday while receiving a delegation from the Alaafin of Oyo under the umbrella of the Oyo Alafin Society (Oyo Forum), Abuja.
The delegation, which conveyed the mandate of His Imperial Majesty, Iku Baba Yeye, Alayeluwa Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, Alaafin of Oyo, visited the Ministry to explore partnership opportunities aimed at enhancing security in Oyo State and its neighbouring communities.
During the meeting, members of the delegation informed the Permanent Secretary that the Oyo community had resolved to make available a vast expanse of land for the construction of a military cantonment. They explained that the proposed facility would strengthen the presence of the Armed Forces of Nigeria in the area and serve as a strategic response to threats such as banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities.
Responding, Mr. Pheelangwah described the visit as timely and the proposal as commendable, expressing appreciation to the delegation for the initiative. He assured them that the Ministry would carefully examine the proposal, noting that any positive response would be guided by due process, including the execution of a Memorandum of Understanding.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the National Board for Technology Incubation, Engr. Kolawole Raji, commended the Honourable Minister of Defence and the Ministry for their sustained commitment to protecting lives and property across the country.
Engr. Raji disclosed that community leaders and stakeholders in the Oyo Alaafin domain had identified and earmarked land bordering the Old Oyo National Park near Otefon Town in Atiba Local Government Area for the proposed military formation.
He explained that the location is suitable for the development of a modern cantonment capable of accommodating the Nigerian Army, operational units of the Nigerian Air Force, military training institutions, healthcare facilities, residential quarters, commercial centres and other strategic security infrastructure.
The delegation further pledged the support of the Oyo Alaafin community towards the successful execution of the project, assuring the Armed Forces of Nigeria of all lawful and necessary cooperation required for its implementation.
Although unavoidably absent from the meeting, the Alaafin of Oyo conveyed a goodwill message through a recorded video, expressing optimism that the Federal Government would respond favourably to the proposal.
Similar goodwill messages were delivered via video presentations by Senator Yunus Abiodun Akintunde, representing Oyo Central Senatorial District, and Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, representing Oyo Federal Constituency.
Directors of the Ministry of Defence were also in attendance during the engagement.
