A WORKING VISIT FROM THE ABIA STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND (ASSTF) TO THE LAGOS STATE SECURITY TRUST FUND (LSSTF) TO UNDERSTUDY THE ACTIVITIES OF THE FUND
The Fund recently received delegates from the Abia State Security Trust Fund 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 members of the team included three members of the Board of Trustee 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 present were members of the ASSTF secretariat Bar. Eke Okezie, Bar. Linda Phillip Onuoha and Mr Hope Nwaogwugwu.
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 Trustee), 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 however 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 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 Dr. Oluwafemi Damilola Oke-Osanyitolu, the Permanent Secretary of the Agency led the delegates from ASSTF 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 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 ES, ASSTF also thanked the ES LSSTF 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.