The Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Engineer Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has charged Nigerians to embrace a proactive security culture, stressing that effective protection of lives and property requires collective vigilance and the integration of safety consciousness into everyday activities.
The monarch maintained that the essence of effective security lies in moving away from a reactive mindset towards a proactive, interconnected security ecosystem capable of safeguarding individuals, businesses and communities.
Oba Owoade made this assertion on Tuesday when the Brigade Commander of the newly established 7 Brigade Command of the Nigerian Army, located at Ote-Efon, Brigadier-General Augustine Obochi, paid him a courtesy visit at his ancient palace in Oyo.
In a statement issued by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin observed that security is no longer limited to physical barriers such as high walls and armed guards or sophisticated digital protection systems. Rather, he described it as a fundamental pillar of societal stability, the protection of human rights and sustainable economic development.
According to the royal father, effective security is often most successful when it operates seamlessly in the background, providing individuals, businesses and communities with the peace of mind necessary to innovate, invest and prosper.
He explained that building a security framework capable of protecting everyone requires a combination of fundamental principles, strategic measures and collective responsibility.
The monarch identified the five basic principles of information security as confidentiality, integrity, availability, authentication and non-repudiation, noting that these principles provide a structured framework for protecting sensitive information, managing access and responding to potential threats.
He added that together, these principles help organisations establish trustworthy and resilient systems capable of safeguarding business assets and other critical resources.
Emphasising the importance of collective responsibility, Oba Owoade declared that one of the most significant principles of modern security is the understanding that safety is not the exclusive responsibility of security agencies or a particular government department.
He stressed that security requires the active participation of everyone, adding that societies achieve greater safety when vigilance becomes an integral part of everyday life rather than an inconvenient obligation.
“It requires collective vigilance, as societies succeed when safety is woven into daily habits rather than treated as an inconvenient rule. It requires continuous education, transparency and a leadership team that champions these values from the top down,” the Alaafin stated.
The Paramount Ruler commended the Nigerian military and other security agencies for their unwavering commitment to the fight against insurgency and other security challenges confronting the country.
He also applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for what he described as his visionary instincts and unwavering patriotic commitment to the governance and development of Nigeria.
Earlier, Brigadier-General Augustine Obochi commended the Alaafin for his remarkable security consciousness and sustained commitment to the protection of lives and property.
The Brigade Commander assured the monarch of the commitment of the officers and men of the 7 Brigade Command to ensuring adequate security and the protection of lives and property within their area of responsibility.
As a mark of recognition and appreciation, the Brigade Commander presented a commendation plaque to the Alaafin in acknowledgement of his strong commitment to security consciousness and the wellbeing of his people.
The presentation served as a tangible symbol of the military’s appreciation of the monarch’s support for security initiatives and his continued advocacy for a safer society.
