By Nudoiba Ojen
For Elder Tunji Falana, the Chairman, the Chairman of Emure, Ise/Orun and Ikere Communities Joint Security Committee, his investiture by the state government as Justice of the Peace on Thursday, is a cap that aptly fits
Elder Falana, a man who is ever persuaded that peace is a necessary condition for development, has selflessly, worked towards peace by ensuring that through activities of the committee, criminal activities in the three council areas were reduced.
So, when the state government named and inaugurated him as a JP, it did not not come to people as a surprise but reward for hard work.
Twenty-three distinguished successful applicants were conferred with the JP award on the occasion.
The Conference Hall of the Governor’s Office, Ado Ekiti played host to the modest crowd that came to grace the occasion of the investiture of Elder Falana and others as JP.
In attendance included Governor Biodun Oyebanji; his deputy, Chief Mrs Monisade Afuye; Ekiti House of Assembly Speaker, Rt Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye; The Secretary to State Government, Dr Habibat Adubiaro; President, Ekiti State Customary Court of Appeal, Justice Oluwatoyin Abodunde; and Ekiti State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Dayo Apata (SAN).
Others are Ekiti State Head of Service, Mr Sunday Akomolafe; JSC Secretary General, CSC Niyi Okunniga; NPF Ikere Area Commander, ACP A Abimbola; and eminent chieftain from Ise Ekiti, Chief Folu Oni.
Traditional rulers including the Onisan of Ekiti and former Chairman of Ekiti State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Ayodele Adejuwon; and the Oluyin of Iyin Ekiti, Oba Adesola Adeniyi Ajakaye.
Speaking during the investiture, Governor Oyebanji said administration of justice at the grassroot levels was pivotal towards reducing crime rates, decreasing the prison population and decongesting correctional facilities.
Oyebanji, who reiterated his administration’s commitment to uphold the rule of law and facilitate access to justice, charged the newly appointed JP “to work in tandem with security agencies, leveraging existing laws to deliver fair and accessible justice directly to their communities”.
The AG, Apata, who informed the new JP of the tasks before them including to drive the legal system at the grassroots, to promote and sustain peace at all levels, enjoined them to make use of the trainings giving to them.
Elder Falana, who responded on behalf of the new JP, expressed gratitude to the state government and the State Ministry of Justice for the honour.
Falana lauded the governor for his development strides and interest in peace and development in the state as he appreciated the governor for his magnanimity for payment of the Seal and Certificates given to the JP.
He charged the awardees, “Our JP is a clarion call to duty. A call to drive Ekiti legal system at the grassroots, a call to promote peace and the dignity of man through human rights practices.
We must endeavour to promote peace at all levels, knowing fully well that without peace there cannot be any sustainable development”.
