A security expert, Dr. Ona Ekhomu, has been conferred with the award of Yoruba Youths’ Ambassador of Peace 2020/2021, in recognition of his efforts at creating security awareness among Nigerians.
Presenting the award in Lagos yesterday, the president of Yoruba Youth Assembly (YYA), Hon. Olarinde Thomas, said the security warnings and alerts that Dr. Ekhomu had been issuing about insecurity in Nigeria for over 40 years had unfortunately proven to be accurate, as the threats have now materialised into losses.
Olarinde said that he could not believe that a time would come in Nigeria when travelling from Ibadan to Ile Ife would be an extremely hazardous undertaking. He said that Dr. Ekhomu had warned about this precarious and dangerous condition, but the Nigerian government and the police did not listen.
Dr. Ekhomu, who is the president of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), was described as a patriot who correctly diagnoses the security challenges of the country and offers advice to Nigerians on how to protect themselves.
Hon. Olarinde said the solution to insecurity in Nigeria lies with patriots like Dr. Ekhomu, who have a longitudinal view of the problem.
The YYA president urged Dr. Ekhomu not to relent in security awareness for the benefit of Nigerians, as the security challenges ahead are greater. He said before now, security threats used to impact the rich. However, with poor farmers and rural dwellers are now threatened, attacked and killed on their farms and homes.
Dr. Ekhomu, who was represented at the award ceremony by the Trustee of Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON)/Managing Director of Trans-World Security Systems Ltd, Dame Victoria Ekhomu, thanked the YYA for the honour.