By Oki Samson
As more states float their version of the Security Trust Fund, they have come to visit the prototype and shining light, Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) which is the first to be created in the country in 2007. The newest state to pay LSSTF a visit is Abia state. The delegates of Abia State Security Trust Fund paid LSSTF a working visit recently, National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP can report.
NAOSNP can report that the delegates of the Abia State Security Trust Fund was led by its Executive Secretary, Barr. Mrs. Cleo Nkolika Ubani, on a working visit to understudy the activities of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund. Other delegate members were three members of the Board of Trustees of the ASSTF – Mr. Johnson Chukwu, MD – Cowry Asset Management Limited; Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, MD – Nepal Group; and Mrs. Nkechi Obi, MD – Techno Oil. Also part of the visit were members of the ASSTF secretariat, Bar. Eke Okezie, Bar. Linda Phillip Onuoha and Mr Hope Nwaogwugwu.
During the visit, a training session was put together where both Trust Funds gave brief histories of their respective States and reasons for the establishment of the Security Trust Fund. The LSSTF educated ASSTF on the objective and functions of the Fund (the role of the secretariat and the Board of Trustees), the various kinds of security interventions embarked upon by the LSSTF and its impact on general security in the State. It was observed that even after 17 years of operation, LSSTF is still significant and effective, and as a result of its efforts, Lagos is the safest city in Nigeria. Based on the Fund’s track record of success, other Trust Funds are trying to emulate it.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun emphasized that the Fund’s strongest feature remains its core values which is the acronym PART (Prudent, Accountability, Resourcefulness and Trust). It also places major emphasis on maintenance, which is why its assets remain functional for upwards of 12 years. He noted that the LSSTF deliberately maintains a lean workforce to ensure that the majority of resources raised are directed towards providing support to security agencies operating in the State and advised the ES ASSTF to take that into consideration.
During the review of the Laws establishing the ASSTF, the ES/CEO of LSSTF highlighted a few sections of the ASSTF amended Law which in his opinion may work contrary to their objectives and noted other sections that LSSTF may benefit from the ASSTF Law. Dr. Balogun stated that the success of any Fund can be attributed to the high caliber of individuals appointed by Mr. Governor as members of the Board of Trustees. These individuals are not only influential but accomplished in their various endeavors and view their role as an opportunity to give back to the State. They leverage on their positions and industry connections to reach out to colleagues and partners for contributions to sustain the activities of the STF. Dr. Balogun expressed his delight in the members of the Board present during the ASSTF working visit and noted that it was a demonstration of their willingness and commitment to ensuring that ASSTF succeeds.
The LSSTF arranged a visitation to the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) where the Permanent Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Oluwafemi Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu led the ASSTF delegates on the tour of the Command and Control Center to provide a firsthand experience of the various units of the agency, their functions and impact of their activities in the State. The Lagos State Security Trust Fund also took the ASSTF to EPAIL (Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited) a security manufacturing company on a tour of its facility and its operations.
In their response, the members of the Board of the Trustee of the ASSTF, took turns to commend the Fund for its efforts thus far in the facilitating of safety and security in Lagos State. They noted that they were also stakeholders and beneficiaries of improved security in the State as they have their businesses situated in Lagos. They were impressed by the level of work done by LSSTF and noted that they will work towards replicating the LSSTF model in their State.
The Executive Secretary of ASSTF, Barr. Mrs. Cleo Nkolika Ubani also thanked the ES of LSSTF, Dr. Balogun for the warm reception and the Lagos hospitality. She noted that the training sessions and visitations were indeed insightful and informative. She however noted that as she goes back to her State, she will continue to reach out the LSSTF for support from time to time and looks forward to receiving LSSTF on its follow-up working visit to Abia State.
