Remarks by His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Governor of Lagos State at the Dinner with the Outgoing and Incoming Members of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund Held on Tuesday 17th November, 2015 at the Georges Hotel

Protocols,

Tonight, we are gathered to celebrate and express the gratitude of the government and people of Lagos State to the immediate past Board of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund and to welcome the new Board.

Since November 2007 when the Board was inaugurated, after the passage of the law establishing the Fund, a strong partnership has been forged between the government and the private sector to address the security challenges facing the State.

This fund has generated over N4 billion as well as donations of patrol vehicles and other security equipment by individuals and corporate organisations. This fund has contributed significantly to the improved operational capacity of our security agencies particularly the Nigerian Police, thereby increasing the safety of our State and residents.

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I commend the outgoing Board, led by Mr. Remi Maklanjuola and the indefatigable, Fola Arthur-Worrey, for the strong foundation they have laid and the establishment of the Fund as a credible institution worthy of support by the private sector. Due to your diligence, commitment and dedication, the Security Trust Fund has become a template of private sector participation in security funding for other States of the Federation to emulate.

You have made the task of the present Board easy as they will be inheriting a well-established structure and their objective will be to build on what you have done.

As security remains an important area of focus for this administration, this Fund will be required to support the efforts of our security agencies. This responsibility has become more imperative than ever before.

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With the reality that we do not have enough security operatives to secure our State, the next level is to invest in the right technology which will help us fight crime. We need cameras in all public places and data of all suspected criminal elements in our society. Our Police stations should have technology to access data from all over the world so that we can track these elements. Policing over Twenty-One Million people requires a lot more than just additional policemen.

This is the challenge before the new board. Technology is not cheap. A lot of resources are required to achieve this. We need more private sector participation and support.

Nevertheless, I have complete confidence in the new board and I believe that together, we will keep Lagos State safe and secure. Our new Board is made up of:

  • Oye Hassan Odukale – Chairman
  • abdulrazal Balogun – Executive Secretary
  • Herbert Wigwe
  • Opeyemi Agbaje
  • Yemi Idowu
  • Philip Oduoza
  • DIG Israel Ajao
  • Gbolahon Lawal
  • Ademola Abass

You have been carefully selected and Twenty-One Million Lagosians look up to you to help improve their safety. The assignment before you is enormous but you have the support of the government and the platform laid by your predecessors.

Once again, on behalf of the government and people of Lagos State, I thank the outgoing board of the Security Trust Fund for the wonderful work they have done. To Mr. Remi Makanjuola, Fola Arthur-Worrey, DIG Waheed Olusegun Kassim, Dr. Ayo Abina, Mr. Ebenezer Onyeagwu, Mr. Opeyemi Agbaje, Mr. Bisi Onasanya, Mr. Biyi Mabadeje and Mr. Gbolahan Lawal, we say thank you and God bless.

Itesiwaju Ilu Eko,  lo je wa l’ogun!!!

Akinwunmi Ambode

Governor of Lagos State,

Alausa.

17TH November, 2015