The Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF, has hosted a delegation from Abia State on a two-day working visit aimed at learning effective fundraising strategies to bolster security efforts in their State.
The seven-member Board of Trustees from Abia State, led by Executive Secretary Barrister Cleopatra Nkolika Ubani, visited the LSSTF office in Alausa, Ikeja, to understudy its successful funding models.
Barrister Ubani stated that the purpose of the visit is to equip the Abia State government with effective strategies for combating security issues and securing necessary resources.
According to her, this visit follows the recent relaunch of the Abia State Security Trust Fund by Governor Alex Otti, a revitalization of the fund initially established in 2007 under former Governor Chief Theodore Orji.
Barrister Ubani, emphasized that the visit is also part of a broader initiative to address security challenges in Abia State and expressed a commitment to implementing the insights gained from the LSSTF to enhance Abia’s security architecture.
Responding, Executive Secretary of LSSTF, Dr. Abdulrazaq Balogun, advised the Abia team to engage various stakeholders, including business owners, entrepreneurs, and organizations, to raise funds aimed at securing lives and properties within the state.
He noted that the LSSTF has successfully provided funds for various security agencies, including the Police Force, Military, and Marine Police among others.
“Lagos, being the commercial hub of Nigeria and Africa at large, cannot overemphasize the importance of security. A society thrives economically when its security is top-notch,” Dr. Balogun said. He highlighted the independence of the LSSTF.
Dr. Balogun also mentioned the recent successful rescue of the Founani brothers by the Marine Police as a testament to the Agency’s impact on security. He credited continuity in governance as a major strength of the LSSTF, which has led to the creation of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, that addresses emergency security issues within Lagos.
The Abia State delegation included Barrister Cleopatra Nkolika Ubani, Mrs. Ngozi Ekeoma, Mrs. Nkechi Obi, Barrister Eke Okezie, Ph.D., Barrister Linda Phillip Onuoha, and Mr. Hope Nwaogwugwu.