Metro
Abia Security Trust Fund Visits LSSTF to Understudy Activities
A delegate of the Abia State Security Trust Fund (ASSTF) led by the Executive Secretary, Barr. (Mrs.) Cleo Nkolika Ubani, has paid a working visit to the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF) in a bid to exchange ideas and draw more inspiration for a profitable venture, the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) learnt.
It would be recalled that LSSTF is the pioneer security trust fund in the nation, having been established in 2007.
The team, it was further disclosed, was on the visit to understudy the activities of its Lagos State counterparts.
A major highlight of the visit was a training session where both Trust Funds gave brief histories and reasons for the establishment of their Security Trust Funds.
The LSSTF took ASSTF through the rudiments and roles of the secretariat and the Board of Trustees as well as the various kinds of security interventions embarked upon by the Fund, and its impact on general security in the State, which has made it the safest state in Nigeria.
In his address, the Executive Secretary/CEO of LSSTF, Dr. Abdurrazaq Balogun, emphasized the Fund’s strongest feature, which is embedded in the acronym, PART (Prudent, Accountability, Resourcefulness and Trust), in addition to maintenance, which is why its assets remain functional for upwards of 12 years.
“Here in LSSTF, we deliberately maintain a lean workforce to ensure that the majority of resources raised are directed towards providing support to security agencies operating in the State, and so we advise that you take that into consideration,” Balogun said.
Dr. Balogun also pointed out areas of the ASSTF amended laws that may be detrimental to their operations while stating 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 endeavours, and view their roles 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,” he said.
The host STF took their guests on a tour of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) where the Permanent Secretary of the Agency, Dr. Oluwafemi Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu showed them round the Command and Control Centre towards having a firsthand experience of the various units of the agency, their functions and impact of their activities in the State.
The Abia delegates were also visited EPAIL (Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited) a security manufacturing company on a tour of its facility and its operations.
In their separate responses, members of the Board of the Trustee of the ASSTF, commended the Fund for its efforts thus far in facilitating safety and security in Lagos State. They noted that they are also stakeholders and beneficiaries of improved security as they have their businesses in Lagos. They promised to replicate the LSSTF model in Abia.
In her remarks, the ES of ASSTF, Barr. (Mrs.) Ubani thanked the Dr. Balogun for the warm reception and the ‘Lagos hospitality’.
“The training sessions and visitations were indeed insightful and informative. Even as we return to Abia, I will continue to reach out the LSSTF for support from time to time and look forward to receiving LSSTF on its follow-up working visit to Abia State,” she concluded.
Other members of the delegate 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.
Others were Bar. Eke Okezie, Bar. Linda Phillip Onuoha and Mr Hope Nwaogwugwu.
A member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Joe Igbokwe, has called for the dismissal of the soldier who resisted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The soldier had blocked Wike and officials of the FCTA from accessing a portion of land in the FCT.
The officer, claiming he was acting on instructions, told Wike that he would not be allowed into the property. Wike, however, questioned his authority, leading to a heated confrontation and name calling.
Reacting on Facebook, Igbokwe questioned who was behind the military officer in challenging the FCT Minister.
He wrote, “Who is this man in uniform? Of what meat is he fed? Who is beating the drum for him? This is unacceptable? His uniform has to be removed.”
The Lagos State Police Command has vehemently denied reports making the rounds that it was involved in the attempted release of a Lebanese national, who is in custody for the defilement of eight children.
The Police made the rebuttal via a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Lagos, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
In the statement titled, RE: OUTRAGE AS LAGOS POLICE ALLEGEDLY ATTEMPT TO RELEASE LEBANESE ACCUSED OF DEFILING EIGHT CHILDREN, the Police noted as follows:
“The Lagos State Police Command is not involved in any alleged attempt to release a Lebanese accused of defiling eight children.“
The story is therefore inaccurate and misleading.
The above case is being handled discreetly by the Gender Unit of the Command with the highest level of professionalism, diligence, and in line with international best practices, by specially trained gender case specialists.
Furthermore, the investigation strictly follows the standard operating procedures for cases involving children and young persons. The Gender Unit of the Command remains firmly committed to child protection and upholding due process in the pursuit of justice, without fear, favour, or sentiment toward anyone involved, whether a foreign national or Nigerian.
The case in question, which is under thorough investigation, does not involve any Lebanese, but rather a national of one of the Southern African countries. Every necessary step has been taken to ensure that justice is served in the matter. It is important to inform the public that both the biological mother of the child and the child herself made statements to the Police affirming that the child was neither molested nor defiled by the accused person.
However, the complaint by the child’s father, who has custody of the child, on his allegations against the accused person, is being carefully investigated to ensure justice in the matter and prevent any miscarriage of justice. The outcome of the investigation will definitely be made public.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, has directed a discreet investigation into the allegations highlighted by the reporter in the report to ensure that no stone is left unturned in getting to the root of the matter . The writer of the story has also been contacted and briefed on the steps being taken by the Police to ensure that justice is achieved.
The Commissioner of Police furthermore wishes to reiterate his full confidence in the impartiality, competence, and high level of professionalism in the Officer-in-Charge of the Gender Unit, Lagos Police Command,Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Toyin Kazeem, who was officially out of the country on IACP in the United States when the matter was reported to the Gender Unit. Her exemplary track record, both locally and internationally, exemplifies her integrity, dedication, and commitment to handling gender-related and other sensitive cases. Under her leadership, the Gender Unit has brought pride to the Command and provided justice to numerous vulnerable persons, including women and children.
The Lagos State Police Command therefore urges the public and the media to continue to repose trust and confidence in the ability of the Command to deliver justice in all cases, particularly those involving children and other vulnerable groups. The outcome of this case will be made known to the public on completion of the investigation.
The family of former President Shehu Shagari has announced the death of his last surviving widow, Hajiya Saratu Shehu Shagari.
She passed away on Monday at the age of 89, after a prolonged illness.
A statement signed by the eldest son of the former president, Captain Mohammed Bala Shagari, confirmed that Saratu died at about 3 pm.
He described the late Hajiya Saratu as an embodiment of grace, humility, and quiet strength, who lived a life of dignity and service.
The family also said details of the funeral arrangements would be announced in due course.
