- Says Kogi State Security Trust Fund working visit to LSSTF is very fruitful
By Adeyinka Olumide
The Executive Chairman of the Kogi State Security Trust Fund (KSSTF) Hon. abdulraheem Ozovehe Ohiare, has said the Fund would maximize all that it has learnt from the pioneer – the Lagos State Security Trust Fund in managing the various intervention initiatives that would make the state safe.
He stated this during the recent closing ceremony that drew the curtain on the working visit by the North Central State’s Security Trust Fund to Lagos, to learn the intricacies of bolstering security from the LSSTF.
He said the Kogi State Governor His Excellency Ahmed Usman Ododo, in his determination to make the confluence state safe for all, established the KSSTF, and the management team had thought it best to come and learn from Lagos which has had 17 years experience, managing security funding interventions, which has continued to make the state a safe haven.
Earlier the LSSTF Chief, Dr Abdurrazaq Balogun had said Lagos State remains the safest state in Nigeria because of the activities of the Fund.
Balogun who expressed happiness seeing the team from Kogi State, said the track records of the Fund in the last 17 years has made the Fund a go-to place for other states trying to come up with how to bolster their security infrastructure and architecture.
He applauded the KSSTF’s Executive Chairman and the management staff for the visit, which he said would undoubtedly be an eye opener on how Lagos has been coping with the challenges besetting security operatives operating in the state.
According to him, during the visit, the LSSTF put together onsite training sessions on modalities for operating an effective Trust Fund and arranged visitations to one of the beneficiaries of the Fund, the LNSC (Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Corps) and a tour of a world-class, indigenous security equipment manufacturing company EPAIL (Equipment and Protective Applications International Limited).
He said after 17 years of operation, LSSTF is still significantly effective, and as a result of which Lagos is not only the safest city in Nigeria, while other states are trying to emulate the Fund
“Because of the Fund’s track record of success, other Trust Funds are trying to emulate it.”
Balogun expressed the hope that the visit by the Kogi State Security Trust Fund is beneficial and insightful, towards making KSSTF successful.
During the training, he emphasized that the Fund’s strongest feature remains its commitment to it’s core value which is PART, (an acronym for Prudence, Accountability, Resourcefulness, and Trust). It also places major emphasis on maintenance, which is why its assets remain functional for upwards 12 years.
While comparing the law establishing the KSSTF with that of LSSTF, Balogun highlighted a few sections of the Law which in his opinion may work contrary to the objectives of the KSSTF and other sections that LSSTF may benefit from KSSTF.
It was 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. The success of the 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 LSSTF.
There was a farewell ceremony to conclude the working visit by the KSSTF delegation, which included the presentation of a plaque to the Executive Chairman and his team members and certificates.
In his response, the KSSTF Chief thanked Dr Balogun and his team for the warm reception and hospitality.
He noted that the training session was very informative and an eye opener to key areas of improvement for the KSSTF.
He was very thankful for the opportunity to visit a Nigerian indigenous security manufacturing company and the Lagos State Neighborhood Safety Agency (LNSA).
He noted that he will return to Kogi State with what they have been able to learn and seek ways to implement some of these ideas in the short, medium and long term.