By Uche Amunike
The Lagos State Police Commissioner, Idowu Owohunwa has held a meeting with some major stakeholders in the state, including successful rapper and actor, Folarin Falana, popularly known as Falz and skit maker, Debo Adebayo popularly known as Mr Macaroni.
The meeting was held at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters and according to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundeyin, was particularly convened to discuss security concerns in the state.
The PPRO explained that the Commissioner of Police called on the stakeholders to do all they could to eschew violence, preach tolerance, rule of law and peace to their numerous followers as the state gears up for its governorship election which comes up on March 11, 2023.
The statement partly read: ‘The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Idowu Owohunwa, today convened a meeting of political parties, traditional rulers, religious/youth/market leaders, media influencers and other opinion moulders at the POWA Hall of the Command Headquarters, Ikeja Lagos.’
‘The meeting which was convened to address security concerns within the state following the Presidential Election and in view of the coming Gubernatorial Election provided the opportunity for Lagosians to ventilate their concerns, point out areas of security needs and recommend strategies that would help curb any form of violence within the state.’
‘The Commissioner of Police reminded influential people that they have an important role in setting an example and can help ensure that peace is maintained by speaking out against any form of violence or aggression.’
He assured all attendees that the police command would do all in their power to protect law abiding citizens in the state, while also dealing with trouble brewers according to the dictates of the law.
Part of the stakeholders was Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana who is father of the popular actor cum rapper, Falz.
Recall that Falz played a lead role at the EndSars protest alongside popular skit maker, Mr Macaroni which made them become the faces of the EndSars movement and naturally gave them great influence over the teeming youths in Lagos while it lasted.
He has used his music and status to clamour for good governance in the country and built a sensational projection of a better Nigeria on social media, before the general election. He also made a video encouraging Nigerians to come out and cast their votes on Election Day.
Falz teamed up with musician, Tekno, to do a new Single created to energize Nigerians to come out en mass and cast their votes in the song titled ‘O Wa’, where he addressed the numerous problems currently plaguing the country like cash scarcity, fuel scarcity, police brutality, etc.
Sadly, he fell victim to attack by thugs at his polling unit during the Saturday general election as they attacked and stole his phone at his voting unit in Lekki, Lagos state.
Some of the attendees at the meeting with the Police Commissioner include, Barrister Femi Falana (SAN); Alhaji Suleiman Baba who represented the Arewa Council of Chiefs; Dr Joel Okei-Odumakin; Eze Ndigbo of Ikeja, Eze Uche Dimgba; Eze Ndigbo of Alimosho, Igwe Lawrence; NBA Chairman Ikeja, Barrister Monday Ubani; Mr Mobolaji Olusegun, Chairman, Inter-Party Advisory Board and Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin.
