By Olanrewaju Adesanya
Hon. Abdulrazak Balogun the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Security Trustfund (LSSTF) has counseled public spirited individuals and corporate bodies to donate generously to the fund, to further ensure a safe and well secured state.
Balogun gave this charge at a press parley to herald the 15th town hall meeting with the Governor Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu tagged, ’Reconceptualising safety and security’, an annual event postponed from the initial date 9th December to 22nd December 2021 at the Civic Center,Ozumba,Mbadiwe Avenue, Victoria Island by 11am.
In his words, “Given the cosmopolitan nature of Lagos state couple with the migration of people, much security need be afforded, but the drought in donor funding which is cardinal to our existence makes things difficult.
“Bank robberies is rare now due to our better fortified security arrangements, but other sister security agencies still come to us for one need or the other not minding the fact that security is on the exclusive list, the peculiarities of the year also posed some challenges.
“Government cannot do it alone, we must all help to secure the state by contributing our widows mite to the fund, our collective support is needed, we have shown capacity at LSSTF and this has been emulated from far and near to the extent that the National Assembly also toed the line.
“We need to know that it is all in our interests to donate to this course. Over 70-80 percent of the security assets you see in the state is from this office.
“So a fraction of what you want to do as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) if ploughed back to the trustfund will help a great deal, because in all you fall back to us for required security.”
He lamented the adverse effect of the voluntary model of the fund which toned down on the proviso in the legal document that empowers the LSSTF to levy.
Balogun charged all to eschew destruction of public security assets provided with the little resources transparently handled by the body, as the ones destroyed still need be replaced and at the costly expense of other basic needs.
“One person cannot build a nation it has to be collaborative. It is a question of patriotism, acting responsibly, no where in the world where people cannot vent their disaffection on issues, but it is not acceptable anywhere where you go on wanton destruction of public infrastructure, government is you and I.
“We must change the narratives you have to take responsibility for your actions. People should own the entire infrastructure because they are theirs. You can protest but say it responsibly, what has traffic light got to do with protest?
“Resources are not enough in the first place, so the ones destroyed must be replaced, so the other aspects suffer, so the little we have we must try to protect it.”
According to the LSSTF boss the event is strictly by invitation as the former invite suffices and COVID-19 protocols will be upheld.
Provisions has also been made for as many that will like to join the meeting via the social media handles.He hinted further that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu chairs the meeting, where he would give his score cards on security for all to peruse, likewise the Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu will be on hand to give a load down of efforts geared towards securing the state. As the LSSTF books will also be opened for scrutiny by the external auditor.
Speaking on what more could be done to tackle cultism and ensure better security in the state. Balogun opined that other avenues like provision of financial, health and economic security can prevent progression into crime than the usual reactionary approach.
“Family values also have a role to play, the house of Assembly have enacted an anti cultism law in the state and when caught you go to jail for a very long period of time, your parents are not also insulated for having failed in their responsibility.
“Cultism is a reflection of our society, there are many youths with no gainful employment and couple with the fact that cultism as we used to know it has spread out from the higher institutions into our primary and secondary schools, it is now in the unions and associations you have around.” Said Balogun.