AGBADO OKE-ODO, LAGOS – The Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Agbado Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr. Earnest Kasunmu, has called on residents, community leaders, security agencies, and other stakeholders to collaborate to strengthen community resilience and tackle emerging security challenges across the council area.
Kasunmu made the call on Wednesday in an opening address at the 2026 CDC Leadership Workshop, themed “Strengthening Community Resilience for Security and Safety in Nigeria.”
He noted that security remains a shared responsibility that cannot be left to government and security agencies alone.
According to him, sustainable peace can only be achieved when residents, youths, parents, religious institutions, traditional rulers, and community leaders collaborate to prevent crime, promote peaceful coexistence, and support lawful authorities through intelligence sharing and prompt reporting of suspicious activities.
The CDC Chairman expressed concern over the growing security threats confronting the country, including kidnapping, cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime, youth violence, and other social vices, stressing that the situation demands increased vigilance, stronger partnerships, and proactive community engagement.
He commended the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services, and other security agencies for their commitment to protecting lives and property, while urging community leaders to complement their efforts through community policing initiatives and effective information sharing.
Kasunmu also highlighted the rapid growth of Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, noting that while development has created new opportunities, it has equally introduced fresh security concerns that require collective action to ensure the communities remain peaceful and sustainable.
He explained that the leadership workshop was designed to raise public awareness on community security, strengthen collaboration among government, security agencies, community leaders and residents, and develop practical strategies that would improve community resilience beyond the day’s deliberations.
The CDC Chairman further appealed to security agencies to deepen community engagement, urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, and CDC/CDA executives to continue promoting peace and responsible citizenship, and called on parents to instill positive values in their children.
He also challenged young people to reject crime and embrace leadership, innovation, and community development.
“If you see something, say something,” he urgedresidents, encouraging everyone to remain vigilant and actively participate in community development initiatives through their respective Community Development Associations (CDAs).
Reaffirming the CDC’s commitment to community development, Kasunmu pledged continued collaboration with the Executive Chairman of the LCDA, the Legislative Council, security agencies, and other stakeholders to implement the resolutions of the workshop for the overall benefit of residents.
The LCDA Chairman, Abiodun Jimoh Ishola Ejigbadero, represented by the Vice Chairman, Hon. Kehinde Shobayo, said security is shared responsibility, urging strong cooperation between communities and law enforcement agencies to build resilient communities.
“When we look out for our neighbors, support our youths and work with the law enforcement agencies, we’ve found a community that cannot be easily broken. Let us commit to being, proactive, United, and alert, together we will build a safer, more resilient Nigeria for our children.
“Our administration is committed to collaborate with our security agencies and other stakeholders like our community leaders and youths in ensuring that Agbado Oke Odo LCDA is safe secure and peaceful,” he added.
Expert Charges CDAs to Deepen Grassroots Governance
Speaking on the “Basic Constitutional Responsibilities of Community Development Associations (CDAs) in Lagos State,” the Chairman of Egbe-Idimu LCDA CDC, Hon. Rabiu Kazeem, described Community Development Associations as the bedrock of grassroots governance and sustainable development.
He reminded community leaders at the forum that their responsibilities extend beyond executing projects to promoting peace, strengthening security, ensuring transparency, monitoring government projects, protecting community assets and serving as effective partners in governance.
Kazeem, who is also the Welfare Officer, Lagos State Community Development Advisory Council, urged CDA executives to embrace accountability, proper record keeping and democratic leadership while encouraging greater participation by youths and women in community affairs.
“Community Development Associations remain indispensable to grassroots governance. By carrying out their constitutional responsibilities with integrity, transparency and inclusiveness, they will continue to complement government’s development agenda.”
He also emphasized that community security should never be compromised, urging residents to “See Something, Say Something and Do Something Immediately” whenever suspicious activities are noticed.
Technology, Intelligence Key to Crime Prevention – Security Expert
Delivering a presentation on Early Warning and Emergency Response Systems on Criminality and Safety, Dr. Amusa Wale Azeez advocated a shift from reactive policing to proactive crime prevention through technology and community participation.
He said modern security management requires timely intelligence gathering, surveillance, rapid communication and coordinated emergency response to detect threats before they escalate.
“Effective crime prevention depends on timely intelligence, reliable communication, rapid response and cooperation among government agencies, communities and private organisations.”
Dr. Azeez identified artificial intelligence, CCTV surveillance, drones, geographic information systems (GIS), biometrics and cybersecurity tools as critical technologies for improving public safety, while calling for increased investment in security infrastructure, intelligence sharing and citizen participation in reporting suspicious activities.
LASEMA Calls for Disaster Preparedness at Community Level
Another major presentation focused on disaster and emergency preparedness, with the Head of C3, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Mr. Ilori Olanrewaju, stressing that preparedness saves lives.
Olanrewaju, who represented the General Manager of LASEMA, Dr. Femi Osanyintolu, at the workshop, challenged every community to establish practical emergency response structures before disasters occur.
“It is better to be prepared and not need it than to need it and not be prepared.”
According to him, community leaders should identify vulnerable residents, develop evacuation plans, establish emergency communication systems and work closely with security agencies to respond swiftly to emergencies.
He further recommended the establishment of Community Emergency Committees, regular emergency drills, resource mapping and emergency communication networks involving community leaders, youths, women and relevant government agencies.
Police Advocate Intelligence-Led Community Policing
The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, represented by CSP Sotayo Oluwaseyi, underscored the importance of intelligence sharing as the cornerstone of effective community policing and crime prevention.
He said intelligence-led policing offers numerous benefits, including the early detection and prevention of crime, faster emergency response, improved public confidence in law enforcement, better protection for vulnerable groups, and stronger partnerships between security agencies and local communities.
According to him, community security places residents at the centre of crime prevention because they are often the first to observe suspicious activities within their neighbourhoods.
“Community security is built on mutual trust, cooperation and shared responsibility. It is not about taking the law into one’s hands; it is about working with law enforcement agencies to prevent crime and promote peace.”
The police commissioner noted that while security agencies cannot be present everywhere at all times, residents are found in every street, market, school, workplaces and religious centres, making them indispensable partners in gathering timely and credible intelligence.
“One of the strongest weapons against crime is timely and credible intelligence sharing. Citizens remain indispensable partners in gathering information that protects lives, safeguards property and maintains public order.”
He urged community leaders to strengthen confidential reporting mechanisms, deepen police-community partnerships, promote transparency and accountability, improve public awareness on security issues, support youth engagement programmes, encourage inter-agency collaboration, and sustain the training and retraining of security personnel in intelligence-led policing.
During the interactive session, the Chairman of Oki/Alaguntan Joint CDA, Mr. Bada Abiodun, appealed to the Lagos State Government and other stakeholders to provide greater institutional and financial support to Community Development Associations.
He observed that CDAs continue to shoulder enormous responsibilities in maintaining peace, mobilising residents for development, supporting security agencies and implementing grassroots initiatives, often with limited resources.
Abiodun said strengthening CDAs through increased government support would further enhance their capacity to deliver on their mandate and accelerate sustainable community development.
Participants Hail Workshop
Participants at the workshop described the event as timely, impactful and one of the most rewarding leadership engagements organised by the Agbado Oke-Odo CDC.
Chairman of Aina Ajayi Phase II CDA, Mr. Olusegun Olugbemi, commended the CDC leadership for what he described as an outstanding and professionally organised workshop.
He said the programme provided valuable insights, practical leadership tools and meaningful interactions that would strengthen the leadership capacity of Community Development Associations across the LCDA.
According to him, the engaging facilitation, well-structured presentations and conducive learning environment reflected the commitment of the CDC leadership to empowering community leaders.
Similarly, the General Secretary of Meiran Joint CDAs, Deacon Tony Bello, described the workshop as a historic milestone in community development within Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA.
He praised the initiative of the CDC Chairman, Mr. Ernest Kasunmu, noting that the event showcased contemporary community development strategies through insightful presentations by seasoned resource persons.
Deacon Bello also commended the Executive Chairman of Agbado Oke-Odo LCDA, Hon. Abiodun Jimoh Ishola, the Vice Chairman, Hon. Kehinde Shobayo, members of the Legislative Council, CDC executives and other stakeholders for their support in delivering what he described as “one of the best events in the history of the CDC.”
The commendations underscore the positive reception the leadership workshop received from participants, reinforcing its objective of equipping community leaders with the knowledge, partnerships and practical strategies required to build safer, more resilient and development-oriented communities.
The highpoint of the event was the presentation of recognition awards to different personalities for their outstanding contributions to community development. One of the awardees was the Community Affairs Officer of Agbado Oke Odo LCDA, Mrs. Ayomide.
The award plaque was presented to her by the representative of the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Rural Development, Mrs. Toyin Adeniji.
