Koleosho unveils plan to expand operations of Eminent Persons Forum
Koleosho unveils plan to expand operations of Eminent Persons Forum
By Damilola Kushimo
The State Chairman of Nigerian Eminent Persons Forum (EPF), Alhaji Shamusideen Koleosho, has disclosed his plans to set up the forum in the 13 Area Commands and 107 police divisions in Lagos State.
Koleosho, a resident of Isolo who was recently elected and inaugurated as the pioneer state chairman of the forum explained that top of his plans is to ensure that the forum is established like the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), EPF was established majorly to assist and support the security personnel.
According to him, to mediate minor cases, ir is necessary the need for a functional EPF in each division..
He said that was the aim of the former Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, when he launched the forum in 2016.
Koleosho stated that the only difference between the forum and others such as the PCRC is the eminenxeof its members as the forum is strictly for distinguished and financially independent persons in the community, stressing that the financial strength of the forum made so many projects achievable in Ikotun division when he was the chairman.
“It (the forum) is supposed to be in every division all over Nigeria and that is why we are doing membership drive in all area commands in Lagos State. The Area Commander will have to spread that information by bringing all DPOs together and let them know what the forum is all about in their respective divisions.
“When you talk about supporting the police, we intend to replicate and even do more of what we did in Ikotun Division statewide in all area commands and divisions. We gave a lot of support to the police in Ikotun Division, we bought them telephones, we bought them motorcycle for usage and we refurbished most of the buildings before the EndSARS crisis.
“Their only vehicle was refurbished and that is the only vehicle they use for now. It is boldly written on it that it was refurbished by the eminent forum. Even when the EndSARS crisis came up, policemen were afraid of going out, we arranged with the Area Commander, DPO and the police, we put heads together on how we will feed them in their barracks at the command for them not to be molested outside the place. We’ve done so many things that I cannot enumerate now.”
He said the forum is to assist the police on security matter and to mediate, noting that not every matter needs to go to court.
Speaking about the membership drive for the forum in all commands and divisions, Koleosho said the forum has enjoyed the support of the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu and that they will soon hold a conference where more awareness and sensitisation will be done.
