The Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, has applauded the United Nations for declaring July 7 of every year as “World Amotekun Day” in honour of the South-West security network, Amotekun.
The commendation was made in a statement issued on Sunday by the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, from Ibadan, Oyo State.
Amotekun’s formal recognition was made public last week by the President of the World Peace, Ambassador Peer Stafsen, during a presentation of the certificate of affiliation to the Commandant of the Ondo State Amotekun Corps, Adetunji Adeleye, in Akure.
Speaking through the Director of Information and Communications of the association, Ambassador Markwili Mgbara, Stafsen said the recognition was a result of Amotekun’s consistent efforts in safeguarding lives and property across Nigeria’s South-West region.
The affiliation certificate was issued under the auspices of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and the International Association of World Peace Advocacy.
In its statement, Afenifere described the recognition as a historic achievement, unprecedented in this part of the world.
“Amotekun’s invitation to participate in affiliate meetings on security and human rights is a major morale booster,” the group noted, adding that the development affirms the vision and dedication of those who founded and sustained the outfit.
It also highlighted that several states across Nigeria have expressed interest in replicating the Amotekun model in their regions.
Afenifere recalled that Ondo State played a leading role in the formation of Amotekun, with the late Governor Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) at the forefront of the initiative.
With this recognition, the South-West Security Network will now attend the United Nations’ annual general assembly, beginning with the upcoming session in New York on September 22, 2025, a milestone event marking the UN’s 80th anniversary.
Ajayi stated that the certification further legitimizes the Ondo State Amotekun Corps as a formally trained and internationally recognised security outfit.
He paid tribute to the late Governor Akeredolu and other South-West governors who ensured the successful launch of the outfit despite numerous challenges.
“Amotekun was officially launched on January 9, 2020, in Ibadan by the governors of Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, and Oyo States. Its creation followed a regional security summit held in Ibadan in June 2019, under the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria Commission,” he said.
Ajayi emphasized that the international recognition validates the foresight of the South-West leaders and praised their resolve during the early days when the initiative faced strong opposition, particularly from the then Federal Government led by President Muhammadu Buhari.
“Their refusal to back down played a key role in combating crime in the region and mitigating threats from armed bandits and violent herders,” he added.
Afenifere urged South-West state governments to fully leverage the UN recognition by enhancing support for Amotekun and fast-tracking the establishment of state police.
“We call for urgent action to establish state police and ensure the security architecture is well-equipped to drive down crime and insecurity to the barest minimum,” Ajayi concluded.
