Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, has emphasised that true national stability can only be achieved through people-focused security and effective communication.
Omotoso stated this on Tuesday at the Gavel International Annual Lecture and Awards 2025, where he underscored the interdependence between safety, communication, and good governance.
Represented by the Director, Strategy Centre, Mr. Kayode Oyekanmi, the Commissioner said, “Without safety, there will be no information to disseminate, and indeed, no meaningful human rights can exist.”
He noted that national security is not merely about enforcing laws or protecting borders but about building a society where people feel “safe, valued, and included.” According to him, governance must be driven by policies that place citizens’ welfare and dignity at the centre of decision-making.
Highlighting the efforts of the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration, Omotoso said Lagos State continues to invest in both security and social welfare through initiatives such as the Smart City Surveillance Project, the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, and sustained collaboration with security agencies.
He added that the government’s people-centred approach is also reflected in programmes designed to empower vulnerable groups through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development, the Office of Civic Engagement, and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
“National security policies must always be designed with a human face,” Omotoso said. “Communities should be involved in security conversations, promoting justice, and protecting the rights of those who cannot defend themselves.”
The Commissioner commended Gavel International for providing a platform for dialogue and collaboration that promotes justice, inclusion, and peace.
Earlier, the Convener of Gavel International, Mr. Mustapha Ogunsakin, also called for leadership that aligns security with the protection of citizens’ welfare and constitutional rights, noting that fairness and empathy remain the foundations of national progress.
