By Peter Dada
Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of the Catholic Diocese of Oyo in Oyo State on Tuesday said that the Catholic Church’s Justice, Peace and Development Movement (JDPM) personnel was ready to provide community education and outreach activities to the rural areas aimed at reducing crimes and criminalities.
Bishop Badejo stated this in his Eastertide Press Conference with the theme: Church and State Collaboration In Citizens’ Welfare and the Development of Society’ held at Bishop Adelakun Hall, Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Cathedral, Oyo that was attended by priests and nuns from the Catholic Church as well as dignitaries from the church and the society.
He said “The Catholic Church in Ibadan Archdiocese and Oyo Diocese of Oyo State through its Justice, Peace and Development Movement (JDPM) is well trained and disposed to collaborate with the State in enhancing security in  rural areas of Oyo State through joint efforts in community education and outreach activities, social empowerment, education, sharing of information  and resources  to prevent crimes  and promote initiatives that will foster unity and understanding among diverse religious and ethnic groups inhabiting the State.”   Â
 He said that the church, being one of those segments of society, has the vocation and the obligation to collaborate with the State to bring about holistic human development and build a better society.
He recalled that the Church had done this for centuries, investing her personnel and resources in forming people through her educational programmes, healthcare services and other social institutions and especially by inculcating sound moral values in people through the Christian communities.
The prelate, however, frowned at the demolition of the building where an alleged group of agitators called `Yoruba nation agitators’ announced its takeover of the state from the current legitimately and democratically elected government of the state led by Governor Seyi Makinde.
Bishop Badejo said, “We, however, frowned at the demolition of the property where the declaration of State takeover was allegedly made. Whatever happened to the Rule of Law and the educational and historical values which such an edifice could serve, even if the owner could have been found guilty after prosecution? We, therefore, look forward to the prosecution of the suspects of both incidents according to the Rule of Law.’’
He commended the quick response of the  Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration and the security agencies to the explosion which caused deaths and destruction in Bodija area of Ibadan some weeks ago as well as the more recent invasion of the Oyo State Secretariat by a soÂ-called group, `Yoruba nation agitators’.
He also lauded the administration for the bold steps taken to achieve the relative security and peace being currently enjoyed in Oyo State especially by equipping and keeping active the State Security outfits, particularly, the Amotekun Corps.
According to Bishop Badejo, Government needs to do more in the area of surveillance, security of lives and property. `Kidnapping for ransom and killings persist especially in Oke Ogun area of Oyo State even until mere three days ago. Thankfully, the victims of the latest kidnapping around Lanlate had reportedly being rescued. Such occurrences threaten to rubbish the good work of government if not urgently curbed,’ he said.
He implored the State government to ensure that the alleged abductors and murderers of one Mr Irenaeus Ogunbayo which he said occurred about a week ago around Iwere Ile in Iwajowa Local Government be brought to book. He added that the state security agencies should apprehend bandits who were attacking farmers in their farms in that area and thus endanger food security in the State. A situation whereby the police claim helpless ness when called upon to intervene in crime is simply unacceptable in a democratic society, he said.
Bishop Badejo said that the security situation in the country was still characterized by various challenges including: insurgency, inter-communal violence, kidnapping, armed robbery and banditry.
He said that tough and effective security concerns need a more comprehensive approach involving the collaboration between government agencies, traditional and community leaders and other stakeholders including the Church.
The Bishop said that no government could provide  formal education for its citizens alone  adding that such can be given several providers  describing  `education, especially in a non-totalitalian state,  an enterprise for the common good.’
According to him, the Catholic Diocese of Oyo currently runs 26 primary and secondary schools and four skill acquisition and empowerment  centres  in the state where they were providing qualitative and moral formation for several youths.
He said that the church would do me with support from the government so as to help more people in need. He urged the government to treat those organisations, and individuals who had ventured  into education as its partners in progress and support them while setting standards and rules to be followed.
Bishop Badejo also reiterated the past call by the Catholic Church for the return of Catholic schools taken over by the state in the 1970s without any compensation.
“This will effectively widen the reach of missionary service , restore ethics in our educational system, check delinquency and moral degradation , crime and other social vices and therefore benefit everyone irrespective of tribe or religion,’’ he said.(END)