The Lagos State Security Trust Fund, LSSTF has placed the health, resilience and wellness of security personnel at the centre of its September statewide inter-agency training programme, stressing that the effectiveness of security operations depends on the physical and mental readiness of officers.
The training, held in Lagos under the leadership of the LSSTF Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, focused on equipping security personnel with practical knowledge on resilience, medical screening and nutrition to improve their operational effectiveness.
In his welcome remarks, Ogunsan, who was represented by the LSSTF Executive Assistant, Mrs Adaobi Nwankwo, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to strengthening the capacity and welfare of security personnel through continuous, practical and multidisciplinary training.
He noted that security personnel in Lagos must be physically, mentally and emotionally prepared to cope with the demands of their duties, including long hours, emergencies, public pressure and changing security threats.
According to him, the LSSTF recognises that training, welfare and operational effectiveness are interconnected, adding that bringing security professionals and specialists together would help officers make better decisions, maintain resilience and remain effective in the discharge of their duties.
Leading the health intervention, Dr Diya Ololade Oluwadamilola, Executive Director and Deputy Director of Clinical Services at Atlantis Pediatric and Multi-specialist Hospital, described the session as an effort to “protect our protectors.”
Diya, a board-certified family physician, lifestyle physician and reproductive health specialist, said security officers routinely put their lives and those of their families at risk while protecting members of the public.
He said the medical component of the training was designed to improve officers’ quality of life and help them identify health risks before they become debilitating.
Speaking on resilience, Diya explained that it was not the absence of hardship or stress but the ability to adapt and recover from adversity.
He introduced the FRESH Protocol, which focuses on Food, Reduce stressors, Exercise, Sleep, and Health checks and vaccinations as a framework for healthier living.
Participants were also taken through practical “know your numbers” checks, including blood pressure, blood sugar, weight and height, to enable officers understand their body mass index and identify potential health concerns.
The nutrition session was delivered by Miss Titilayo Akindele, a clinical nutrition consultant and founder of NutriFull Clinical Services, who focused on “Fueling the Force.”
Akindele explained that poor eating habits, dehydration and irregular meals could affect energy, concentration and long-term health, stressing the link between proper nutrition and operational effectiveness.
She outlined three pillars of what she described as warrior nutrition: eating right, staying hydrated and timing meals properly.
Akindele also demonstrated that healthy eating could be achieved with familiar Nigerian foods, including beans, yam, fish and leafy vegetables.
She warned officers against excessive consumption of fried street foods, sugary drinks and instant noodles, describing them as “enemy foods” when consumed too frequently.
“Your body is the most important piece of equipment. You maintain your weapon, your vehicle, your gear. Your body deserves the same discipline,” she said.
She urged the officers to plan their meals ahead, prepare food in bulk where possible, stay hydrated and replace sugary drinks with healthier options such as water and nutritious snacks.